Category Archives: AnimaList 2024

AnimaList newsletter special 2024.

Special edition of AnimaList – Annual Review 2024

Major Campaigns

The Split Case and Fighting Dogs

One of the major stories of 2024 was the discovery of more than 60 dogs at a single location in Split. The dogs were in poor condition and kept in horrific conditions, being bred for dog fights. We immediately reported the case to the State Attorney’s Office (DORH) and sent a letter to the State Inspectorate and the City of Split regarding the urgent and responsible accommodation of the dogs. Unfortunately, as was the case in Dubrovnik in 2022 following the Žarkovica case, this tragedy made it clear once again that municipal shelters are necessary. We submitted a request for the City of Split to urgently build a temporary shelter for the dogs and subsequently work on establishing a registered municipal shelter for abandoned animals, for which we also launched a petition. The abuser was indicted, and the dogs were relocated to temporary accommodation, though only after one of them tragically died, strangled by its own chain. Sadly, that was not the end of the dogs’ suffering, as they almost perished in a fire, prompting us to report the City of Split for inappropriate housing conditions.

Stop Circuses with Animals

Throughout the year, we received emails from outraged citizens regarding the Candy circus, which uses animals in its performances. Although Croatian law permits the use of (exclusively) domestic animals in circuses, and only if they exhibit naturally occurring behavior, it is evident to everyone that behavior conditioned by a whip is not natural. Additionally, camels were present in the circus, even though they are not considered domestic animals in Croatia. The inspection ignored our reports and continued to issue approvals, prompting us to send a letter to the chief inspector. The City of Samobor demonstrated that a different approach is possible by not granting permission for the performance and issuing a fine for unauthorized poster placement.

Ban on Horse Log-pulling Competitions

In 2024, we focused on many issues, but perhaps most notably on the problem of horse log-pulling competitions. We requested that approvals not be issued for horse log-pulling competitions in Velika Gorica and Mužilovčica, but the inspection approved them despite clear animal suffering. In July, we welcomed the ban on a competition near Požega, but it soon became clear that authorities were only concerned about the hot weather, not the suffering of horses, as they later approved another event in Popovača. We organized a peaceful gathering against these events, highlighting the suffering endured by horses not only during competitions but also during training. A legal expert confirmed that horse log-pulling competitions are already prohibited, and we published an analysis explaining why they continue to be approved. Following an announced event in September in Nova Lipovica, the veterinary inspection finally made the right decision by refusing to grant approval.

Abandonment of Animals – A Criminal Offense!

We were extremely pleased to announce that amendments to the Criminal Code passed the second reading and were subsequently adopted. This is highly significant as it now classifies the abandonment of animals as a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment. Additionally, penalties for killing and mistreating animals have been increased, and abusers can now be prohibited from keeping or acquiring animals.


(R)evolution of Meat

We created and presented at the Oaza restaurant the guide “(R)evolution of Meat” with useful information about future food, recipes, and advice. The goal of the guide is to increase the availability of plant-based meat in restaurants and educate citizens on the benefits of plant-based and cultivated meat. The guide was sent for free to over 2,500 restaurants and relevant institutions.



Responsible Guardianship

Family on Vacation, Dog on the Street?!

This year’s ambassador for the “Family Goes on Vacation, Dog Ends Up on the Street?!” campaign was singer Minea, who appeared in visuals and videos urging people not to abandon their pets and to remember that adoption is an act of love. At the end of the year, we reminded people of the importance of adoption and asked citizens not to buy animals as gifts during the holiday season.

Adoption is Cool

In collaboration with the Zagreb Shelter for Abandoned Animals and the City of Zagreb, we organized the “Adoption is Cool” campaign. This year’s theme was “Unwanted Paws,” emphasizing the connection between lack of sterilization and animal abandonment. We invited citizens who have the means to adopt responsibly and ensure their pets are sterilized. The campaign was repeated at the end of the year.

Keeping Dogs on Chains – Primitive and Cruel

Through powerful posters, we condemned the inhumane practice of keeping dogs on chains. This was a continuation of our national campaign for a Croatia without chained dogs, which we have been running for years. The core message of the posters made it clear: a chain is cruel, and people who keep dogs this way are primitive.

The Importance of Sterilization

In February, we marked World Spay Day by reaching out to local governments, urging them to promote sterilization through social media, posters, and brochures. We also encouraged them to finance sterilization programs, which are crucial for reducing animal abandonment. The City of Zagreb continued financing sterilizations throughout 2024, and we called on other municipalities to follow suit.
For World Stray Animals Day, we shared five tips on how people can help stray animals. On World Pet Day, we provided valuable advice on responsible pet care. We also reminded people that, despite institutional failures, individuals must not take illegal actions to save animals and stressed the importance of legal animal care.

Letters to Institutions

  • We sent letters to all veterinary stations regarding dog microchipping, handling abandoned animals, and animal breeding regulations. We also provided shelters with materials that may be useful to them, including a Temporary Adoption Agreement, guidelines for microchipping abandoned dogs, and a sample animal health record.
  • We sent letters to municipalities and cities regarding shelters and temporary foster care, reminding them—alongside regional administrative units—to allocate funds in the next year’s budget for implementing the Animal Protection Act.
  • Following this year’s devastating fires in Dalmatia, which claimed the lives of dozens of dogs and other domestic animals, we urged institutions to emphasize the importance of freeing animals before evacuation in their official notices and emergency procedures.
  • We reminded the Minister of Agriculture on several occasions that she stated she could secure one million euros to finance the sterilization of guardian-owned dogs and cats through a grant program for local government units. We urged the immediate implementation of this initiative due to the urgency of the issue. We also requested her support for the Positive List at the EU level.
  • We requested that Minister Fuchs allow us a brief presence and presentation at one of the meetings of the Committee for the Development of the Student Nutrition Regulations so we could explain the issue of the lack of vegan options and propose solutions.

Veganism

Veganuary

In January, we highlighted the Veganuary initiative and our Vegan Challenge, which is freely available to everyone at www.veganopolis.net. Three participants who signed up were rewarded with a gift package. We also encouraged citizens to watch the hit documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment and get inspired by plant-based recipes shared by well-known food bloggers. We emphasized that this was an excellent opportunity to try plant-based meat, which causes no harm to animals or the environment.

VeggieFair

With a record number of exhibitors, the 13th VeggieFair turned Zagreb’s European Square green and fragrant. Through special promotions, discounts, and tastings, visitors experienced the variety, taste, and appeal of vegan food. The educational segment informed visitors about the role of vegan food in disease prevention while also emphasizing its positive impact on the planet and animals.


ZeGeVege festival

This year, for the first time, the 16th ZeGeVege Festival lasted three days, allowing visitors to enjoy vegan food and other sustainable living products. Numerous experts and speakers provided an educational program on veganism, sustainability, and health. Split-based artists Sonja Bonačić and Jan Hajsok, known as Crowd Control, were the festival’s ambassadors, spreading the message that veganism requires no acrobatics—just goodwill. Among the visitors were the President of Croatia and Zagreb’s Mayor Tomislav Tomašević. Once again, ZeGeVege successfully promoted compassionate living, environmental protection, and healthy eating.

Choose Plant-Based, Eat Well

In collaboration with Lidl, we published and presented the online cookbook “Choose Plant-Based, Eat Well”. Dishes featured in the cookbook were showcased at Ban Jelačić Square, where passersby had the opportunity to taste them.




Commemorating Important Dates

In the company of vegan blogger Martina Đođo, we celebrated World Meat-Free Day by distributing delicious vegan goulash. For Plant-Based Meat Day, we invited everyone to learn why it is a lifesaver for the entire planet.

During the holiday season, we reminded people that animals are not toys or objects to be bought and that a festive table can be filled with plant-based foods, ensuring that no animals suffer for our meals.

We encouraged citizens to celebrate World Vegan Day by trying at least one recipe from a vegan cookbook. For World Plant Milk Day, we highlighted that plant-based milks are now more diverse than ever and accessible to all.

In October, we organized the “For the Animals” mobile exhibition – part of the 2024 European Tour – and commemorated World Animal Day. The interactive truck, featuring educational multimedia content, showcased the daily reality of animals on industrial farms. To mark World Animal Day, the City of Zagreb, with our assistance, gathered numerous organizations in the city center, promoting animal protection and responsible adoption.

In December, we held an emotional performance to mark International Animal Rights Day, urging people to reflect on where the rights of those without a voice stand.

Climate and Ecology

On World Food Day 2024, themed “The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future”, we presented data on why switching to plant-based food is crucial for the survival of the planet. We pointed out that choosing plant-based products preserves biodiversity and that Croatia has two active climate change mitigation strategies, both recognizing the benefits of plant-based foods in reducing carbon footprints.
We also reminded the new Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development about these key points.

Reports to Inspections and Responses to Animal Abuse

Horses in Distress

The year 2024 was not kind to horses. In addition to continuous horse log-pulling events and a veterinary inspection that ignored them, tragic images of horses collapsing under the excessive weight of logs surfaced. This led us to file a criminal complaint. Soon after, it was announced that a convicted horse abuser’s prison sentence had been postponed because it would “affect the well-being of the horses.” To make matters worse, the then Minister of Agriculture proposed the introduction of a mounted police unit. The public fiercely opposed this, and we reminded authorities that two years ago, they stated they would not consider such a measure.

Exploiting Animals for Entertainment and Profit

The exploitation of animals for entertainment remained a “popular business” in 2024. We reported numerous cases of individuals charging tourists for photos with exotic animals.
We were shocked by disgraceful donkey races, where visibly distressed donkeys were ridden by adults. The year also saw brutal bullfighting events, one of which resulted in a bull injuring a man, while another escaped by breaking through the safety fence.

Other Reports and Reactions

We reported cases of dead and neglected animals left to suffer on an abandoned farm and highlighted the issue of government subsidies for agriculture. We wrote to Minister Vučković and later Minister Dabro on this matter.

Following the tragic incident in Zadar, where an elderly woman was fatally attacked by an American Staffordshire Terrier, we called for urgent changes to the Dangerous Dogs Regulation and demanded that DIRH impose a lifelong ban on pet ownership for the responsible party.

We reported a factory farm for so-called laying hens on Pag for violating legal regulations, as well as a private illegal dog-sitting service in Osijek.

We reminded the public that dogs advertised for adoption or sale must be microchipped.

After a series of serious misconducts by veterinarian Dr. Kralj, we filed an official complaint with DIRH. We also responded to Dugo Selo’s statement following an article in Večernji list.

Furthermore, we announced the closure of an unregistered shelter in Crikvenica, with all dogs relocated to new homes.

We highlighted that Croatia heavily finances hunting activities, with hunters killing approximately 290,000 animals in 2023. We also published an article about illegal actions taken by hunters against dogs and cats.

Other Areas of Work

Ban on All Loud Fireworks

At the beginning of the year, we reported new cases of children being injured by fireworks and sent our proposed amendments to the Explosive Substances Act to Minister Božinović.
At the end of the year, we warned about continued violations of the ban on firecrackers and urged everyone to celebrate the New Year without loud fireworks.

Marine Life

We protested the Ministry’s decision to allow the continued use of harmful trawl nets, despite acknowledging their detrimental effects on marine ecosystems. We also left public comments on the matter during a public consultation.
During the summer, we called on local communities to educate residents and tourists about respecting marine life.

Horror of Animal Breeding

We submitted a detailed report to the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Minister of Agriculture about the problem of unregistered animal breeding operations. We also sent our proposals for solutions to the State Inspectorate.
During the World Dog Show in Croatia, even breeders themselves raised concerns about the suffering of dogs in the industry.

Elections and Animal Rights

Ahead of the parliamentary elections, we urged political parties to advocate for animal protection and sent them our demands. We also encouraged citizens to vote for parties that support animal welfare.

March for Animals

This year, we organized the 4th March for Animals. Actor Goran Višnjić publicly supported the event, and we highlighted that everyone can find a reason to participate.
As an example, we listed 35 reasons to join the March, along with our key demands.
Before the March, we organized a banner-making workshop, and after the March, we held a social gathering in Zrinjevac.

Flash Activities

  • From 2025, very lightweight plastic bags will be taxed, a change we have been demanding from the Minister of Environmental Protection since 2019.
  • Ahead of the Max Mara fashion show, we reported on the #FurFreeMaxMara campaign and reminded the public of the cruelty of the fur industry.
  • We responded to the removal of crow nests in Zagreb during nesting season.
  • We praised VEGAN THUGZ for organizing a public event at the Sunčani Breg Animal Sanctuary.
  • We launched an initiative to introduce vegan meal options at the Croatian Institute for Transfusion Medicine’s cafeteria and organized a blood donation drive with our volunteers.
  • We reported on 9-year-old Sofija Makar, who recorded a music video for her song “Vege Song”.
  • In partnership with Beyond Carnism and Melanie Joy, we held a one-day workshop on effective vegan advocacy (CEVA).
  • We reported on the largest rescue of laboratory animals in Italian history, where 25 animals, including dogs and primates, were saved from an abusive research facility in Verona.
  • We shared the stories of two bulls that escaped from a slaughterhouse, reminding the public of the horrors of slaughter.
  • We highlighted how plant-based food contributes to a healthy sex life.
  • We congratulated vegan athletes who dominated the national weightlifting competition.
  • We warned about the lack of vegan options in Croatia, noting that many tourists remain hungry and dissatisfied.
  • We called on tram drivers to be cautious after a tram driver fatally struck a dog in central Zagreb.
  • We recommended the film “Christspiracy: The Spiritual Secret”, which explores human-animal relationships from a religious perspective.
  • We participated in the e-consultation on the Support Program for the Care of Abandoned, Lost, and/or Temporarily Confiscated Domestic Animals.
  • In 2024, several companies successfully obtained V-Label certification for their products, including Koprivita, Frozen Food International, Fanola d.o.o., OPG Carić, OPG Babojelić, OPG Sven Perec, and Herbarium d.o.o. We also announced that a record number of products now carry the vegan label.
  • We established new collaborations and partnerships with companies.
  • We celebrated 23 years of relentless work and reflected on our achievements.
  • This year, we facilitated 467 subsidized sterilizations for citizens facing financial difficulties.
  • We held two meetings of the Animal Protection Network as well as a meeting of shelters for abandoned animals.
  • Once again this winter, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, we organized several evening stalls.
  • In accordance with the General Terms and Conditions applicable to contracts concluded under the public call for funding association programs and projects from the City of Zagreb’s 2024 budget, we highlight that the City of Zagreb co-financed the 16th ZeGeVege Festival of Sustainable Living with 1,000.00 euros (one thousand euros).

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We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all organizations, individuals, and our hardworking volunteers, as well as to all our supporters who helped make this year so successful and full of activities! We couldn’t have done it without you!


Animal Friends Croatia is a beneficiary of institutional support from the National Foundation for Civil Society Development for the stabilization and/or development of the association.

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