Co-founder of MNE Chapter, CEO, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting
Montenegro is missing out on a massive and growing market: an estimated 46 million pet-inclusive trips happen in the EU every year, yet travelers with dogs increasingly choose other destinations — citing safer streets and more visible kindness toward animals.
Stray dog management isn't just a welfare issue. It affects public health, community trust, repeat visitation, and increasingly, EU accession requirements. NGOs across the Western Balkans are doing vital work, but they're underfunded and under-supported.
We'd love to hear from you as travel professionals:
1. How much does pet-friendliness (including stray animal treatment) influence your travel choices or client recommendations? 2. Have you ever avoided a destination because of how it treats stray animals?
Your experiences can help turn this into real industry momentum for change. 🐾
PS: The Montenegro Travel Massive is getting behind Dancing For The Dogs — an international charity music event on 13th June in Ulcinj raising funds for sterilisation, adoptions, and on-the-ground NGO work. Details: www.dancingforthedogs.me
Co-founder of MNE Chapter, CEO, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting
Have you ever avoided a destination because of how it treats stray animals? Asking also because currently we see lots of very sad & shocking comments by tourists in MNE (e.g. 10 dogs found poisoned by the beaches of Ada Bojana / Ulcinj) - warning others to stay away and spend their money elsewhere.
A great deal - wouldn't want to visit countries that treat stray animals badly -
Having a friend who is very involved in rescues in one part of the EU am also aware that in at least one country a minority of vets involved in "rescuing" dogs - have been accused of ill-treating or not feeding them once they have been taken off the streets
Co-founder of MNE Chapter, CEO, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting
If it is an EU country, there will be consequences. European Union is currently advancing a new and comprehensive framework on animal welfare. This upcoming regulation will raise standards across multiple areas, including the treatment of companion animals, breeding practices, transport conditions, and the management of stray populations.
Yes it was one of the poorer EU countries - it sounded as if it was big business as they get paid to take the dogs off the streets - whereas neutering would probably be a better option
We haven't avoided a destination (yet). But that's purely because we'd only learn about their (bad) animal treatment behaviour during our visit. That said, the maltreatment of strays we've experienced in Serbia and Morocco certainly tainted our experience (to the point that we're not keen to return). How a society treats its animals tells you a lot about how it treats its people (especially marginalised communities).
Co-founder of MNE Chapter, CEO, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting
Exactly. And at the same time, there is a growing segment of travellers who actively seek out pet-friendly destinations. Families traveling with dogs, vanlifers, mobile home owners, individuals relocating temporarily, digital nomads... all of them look for places where animals are well treated and welcomed, where veterinary services are reliable, and where public spaces are safe and clean.
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Comments
Montenegro is missing out on a massive and growing market: an estimated 46 million pet-inclusive trips happen in the EU every year, yet travelers with dogs increasingly choose other destinations — citing safer streets and more visible kindness toward animals.
Stray dog management isn't just a welfare issue. It affects public health, community trust, repeat visitation, and increasingly, EU accession requirements. NGOs across the Western Balkans are doing vital work, but they're underfunded and under-supported.
We'd love to hear from you as travel professionals:
1. How much does pet-friendliness (including stray animal treatment) influence your travel choices or client recommendations?
2. Have you ever avoided a destination because of how it treats stray animals?
Your experiences can help turn this into real industry momentum for change. 🐾
PS: The Montenegro Travel Massive is getting behind Dancing For The Dogs — an international charity music event on 13th June in Ulcinj raising funds for sterilisation, adoptions, and on-the-ground NGO work. Details: www.dancingforthedogs.me
I think it's important. I love the way Greece is handling the stray cats. They are being sterilized and marked on the ears.
Indeed, state supported veterinary action including health care and very importantly, neutering (sterilisation), is one big key.
Have you ever avoided a destination because of how it treats stray animals? Asking also because currently we see lots of very sad & shocking comments by tourists in MNE (e.g. 10 dogs found poisoned by the beaches of Ada Bojana / Ulcinj) - warning others to stay away and spend their money elsewhere.
A great deal - wouldn't want to visit countries that treat stray animals badly -
Having a friend who is very involved in rescues in one part of the EU am also aware that in at least one country a minority of vets involved in "rescuing" dogs - have been accused of ill-treating or not feeding them once they have been taken off the streets
If it is an EU country, there will be consequences. European Union is currently advancing a new and comprehensive framework on animal welfare. This upcoming regulation will raise standards across multiple areas, including the treatment of companion animals, breeding practices, transport conditions, and the management of stray populations.
Hi Kirsi - Really glad to here that.
Yes it was one of the poorer EU countries - it sounded as if it was big business as they get paid to take the dogs off the streets - whereas neutering would probably be a better option
We haven't avoided a destination (yet). But that's purely because we'd only learn about their (bad) animal treatment behaviour during our visit. That said, the maltreatment of strays we've experienced in Serbia and Morocco certainly tainted our experience (to the point that we're not keen to return). How a society treats its animals tells you a lot about how it treats its people (especially marginalised communities).
Exactly. And at the same time, there is a growing segment of travellers who actively seek out pet-friendly destinations. Families traveling with dogs, vanlifers, mobile home owners, individuals relocating temporarily, digital nomads... all of them look for places where animals are well treated and welcomed, where veterinary services are reliable, and where public spaces are safe and clean.