New care centre offers hope for a better life to stray animals in Plovdiv

A shared commitment to the fate of stray animals has brought together a young veterinarian from Plovdiv and a princess born in Bulgaria.

Dr Madlen Mateyna and Theodora von Auersperg, daughter of Austrian Prince Anton Franz von Auersperg, founded Esperanza for Life center around three months ago with the aim of helping to neuter and treat stray animals in Plovdiv. The philanthropist princess runs a foundation that supports a number of worthy causes in Bulgaria, including the establishment of the country's first holistic centre supporting children in need.

Theodora, a Bulgarian-born Austrian princess, is organising the Esperanza for Life gala concert to support children at risk

The Theodora von Auersperg International Foundation with branch in Bulgaria

"People have learned about us, the number of satisfied clients is growing, and they have started recommending us by word of mouth," Dr Madlen Mateyna told Radio Bulgaria.

The clinic relies primarily on citizens who bring stray dogs and cats in themselves. When necessary, they help with so-called humane traps, although most of the animals have grown up around apartment blocks and are accustomed to people.

One veterinarian and three 15-year-old girls currently volunteer at the clinic, with two more prospective volunteers possibly joining them. The association "Prove That You Can" has also provided substantial financial support, helping the clinic get off the ground.

"I can reveal a little secret: we are currently applying to a German organisation that funds projects for trapping, neutering and returning cats to their original locations," says Dr Madlen Mateyna, who has made reducing the stray animal population her mission. "I hope that from next year we will be able to get involved with volunteers and respond to calls at specific addresses. The entire process will be free of charge for citizens."

For now, the clinic does not actively seek adopters for its four-legged patients. Nevertheless, several animals have managed to touch the hearts of people who subsequently gave them a home and affection.

"We have had four or five chance adoptions," the veterinarian explains. "This happens when people come in whose own animals were also taken from the streets and need to be neutered. We already have one little girl, the kitten Maya, who found a home. We also found a home for Lisa the dog, whom we sent to Germany to live with a very good family. These are exceptions, however, as someone happens to see the animal, falls in love with it and decides to take it home."

The medical team has already helped dozens of stray animals, including Bella, a puppy found shot with a pellet, and Luna, a blind but playful and curious kitten. The most heartbreaking story, however, is that of Misho, whom Dr Madlen Mateyna saved from euthanasia.

"People actually thought the kitten was female and called her Misha," she reveals. "A woman brought him in who could not afford to pay for any kind of treatment. I saw that the little animal was in a very serious condition, but I simply cannot end a creature's life like that, so I decided to treat him at my own expense. In the meantime, I contacted a woman whose husband adores black cats. Within days, once we finish treating Misho, we will send him to Stara Zagora, where he already has a home. What I want to say is that everyone should be given a chance, and we should not simply pass through life without a second thought, regardless of whether we are talking about a dog, a cat or a hedgehog. I am incredibly proud to be able to tell you this story."

Can we therefore consider the clinic's work to have an educational role, changing people's attitudes towards stray animals and helping them recognise their own share of responsibility for this phenomenon?

"I very much hope that this initiative will influence people and that we will manage to develop more projects," Dr Madlen Mateyna replies. "I would like to visit schools and, together with volunteers, explain how we should treat animals, especially those living on the streets. Everyone knows the all-too-common scenario of a mother, acting on an emotional impulse, getting an animal for her child, only for something to happen five months later and the animal to be thrown out onto the street. I hope to set an example for children and parents so that we can become a more responsible society."

Dr Madlen Mateyna has even bolder dreams, such as opening many clinics in different communities, or even the more ambitious one of seeing a world inhabited by better people. And if stray animals are one day to disappear from Bulgaria, she believes Bulgarians will have to change their overall attitude towards them.

"Americans also come to us, and they have a completely different mindset," the veterinarian adds. "Bulgarians, however, tend to be very pessimistic and do not like being asked to reach into their pockets. We did not open the clinic because there was a need for yet another clinic, but because someone had to show the right way forward. I hope we will achieve success in this endeavour and help change the direction and outlook of people in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, this will take many years, but I hope we can grow and bring more people into our mission."

According to Dr Madlen Mateyna, help must come from many directions, from families to politicians, including intervention from beyond Bulgaria's borders. The first step has already been taken in Plovdiv: a source of hope for the lives of stray animals and a belief that together we can make the world a better place for all living creatures.

Photos: tva-foundation.org, Facebook /Мадлен Матейна, Pavel Andreev Foundation