How to spend free time more meaningfully? Volunteering at the Dog Shelter in Košice

In this blog post you will read how in May 2023 I started to spend time volunteering at the shelter in Haniska near Košice. How exactly does it work, what kind of work I do and you will get more information about this shelter for dogs from around Košice.

A few basic facts by way of introduction:

• 220 is the approximate number of dogs that found a new home in the UVP Košice Shelter
• The shelter is outside the city of Košice and is basically inaccessible using public transport
• According to the 2023 accounts, this facility has a cost of €450 000 per year

Why shelter Košice? How did it all start?

For years, I have tried to live in a way that does as little harm to animals as possible. Which in reality means that I try to eat vegan, support animal shelters financially and help non-profit organizations in Slovakia (slobodazvierat.sk) and in Prague (Soucitne.cz).

But that’s a topic for another article.

I felt like I wanted to have contact with animals and practically help. That’s why about a year ago I had the idea to call the shelter in Košice and introduce myself. After a short conversation with the chairwoman, Romana Šerfelová, I got permission to visit the shelter for the first time and walk the dogs.

How to get to the shelter?

Útulok UVP Košice is located on the road to Haniska at Kysucká 16. It is expensive to get to the dog shelter in Košice. Public transport is available maybe two or three times a day, so the alternative is a car. I use the Bolt, which works out at less than 10 euros for one trip.
I don’t recommend regular taxi services in Kosice and there is no Uber in Kosice. Bicycle is of course an option as well, but there is no bike path near the road.

This civil association with a long name Únia vzájomnej pomoci ľudí a psov was established in 2001. Since at that time there was no shelter in the whole Eastern Slovakia, UVP became the first shelter for unwanted animals in Eastern Slovakia. Every dog has to have its own place, its own pen.

It wasn't so long ago...
Before the shelter was established, 23 years ago, most dogs and cats were legal to euthanize. The city and county simply dealt with the situation by killing healthy animals. 

During my first visit I walked and brushed about six dogs, which took me about three hours.

How is it going?

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  • You can store your personal belongings in the cloakroom and change your clothes
  • Bring water, and some food. There is no shop or restaurant on site or nearby.
  • Prepare for physically demanding work. Some dogs are not trained to walk on a leash and will pull you hard. Brushing their fur is less enjoyable for some of them and so they will constantly run away.
  • The choice of dog to walk is up to the shelter staff, not you.
  • The walking area is marked and is approximately 300 metres long.
  • Walking is only available with a pass, which must be applied for. However, there are certainly exceptions if you are a responsible dog buddy.
  • Dogs are distributed in several runs. Large breeds have separate pens and are regularly let into large runs.

• I have been to the shelter about ten times since then and fortunately there have been no injuries or other incidents. The dogs I have walked have been friendly and have tried to cooperate with me. Since the dogs have different personalities, sometimes they surprise me with unexpected behavior. But I handle that well.

  I love coming back, and it always makes me very happy to find out that a female or male dog has found a new home.

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If you are interested in funding a shelter in Košice:

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  • The shelter is funded by a variety of sources, including voluntary contributions, sponsorships, and grants.

  • The 2023 financial statements can be found on the Register of Accounts

  • You can contribute financially to the transparent account listed on the shelter’s website

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The UVP Košice shelter strives to provide a safe and kind environment for dogs who need a second chance. Their work is admirable and meritorious. During my travels around the world, I have seen dogs in some countries in terrible conditions, and when compared to UVP Košice, I have to admit that the dogs here are doing well. They get good food, have access to water and are cared for by nice people. I would like to praise the temporary helpers Eva and Gréta and the employee Nikola. ❤

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Additional information:

The UVP Košice shelter is a place where abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs are cared for. Its main goal is to find new homes for these animals. The shelter’s staff strives to provide the dogs with enough love, care and dignified conditions.

In addition to caring for the dogs, the UVP Košice Shelter is also involved in outreach activities. It organizes various events such as adoption days, dog shows and charity events. In this way, they try to raise awareness about the issue of abandoned animals and motivate people to adopt.

If you are interested in adopting a dog or want to support the shelter, you can contact their website or follow them on social media. Every contribution and help is important and helps improve the lives of these animals.