The page is being updated. The official presentation of the initiative is planned for March 29 in Sofia – the first step towards its gradual development throughout the country.
“Scan the Paw” is a public information campaign that makes the Animal Protection Act visible and understandable in real situations.
Its recognizable sign – a paw with a § symbol and a QR code – is placed in public places and leads to clear information on how to react to a violation against an animal or an animal in distress, how to report it, and what follows by law.
The sign points not only to animals, but to people and their choices. It focuses on personal responsibility – to pets, to animals on the street and to actions that often go unnoticed with a sense of impunity. Many of the animals we see on the streets today were once someone’s pets and are the result of abandonment, uncontrolled breeding or lack of care.
The campaign is conceived as a long-term public initiative.
Choose the topic you need right now↓
Reporting is important – this is how the law can be triggered. The report starts a procedure.
However, caring and the decision to help remain a personal human choice.
If the situation is urgent, the quickest help is often the person who is already there. If you can – stay, help, be with the animal.
→ Report to an institution – not to an organization, social networks or acquaintances↓
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF HOW TO SUBMIT A SIGNAL↓
→ Emergency situations → Call 📞 112
Call 112 when there is:
- violence or cruelty against an animal
- injured, hit, or dying animal
- animal in imminent danger
- a situation with an animal that poses a risk to people or other animals
- any situation requiring a quick response
→Say clearly:
“I am reporting an animal in distress/animal abuse.”
→ Specify:
- the exact location (address, landmark, object)
- what’s happening
- if there is an owner or responsible person – mention him/her
✔️ This is enough for the signal to be registered.
Administrative and veterinary violations → BFSA
📞 BFSA hotline:
You can contact them at:
- lack of microchip, registration or passport
- unregulated breeding
- trade or advertisements for the sale of animals
- poor growing conditions
- problems in shelters, kennels or animal breeding facilities
→ If there is violence or an emergency → first 112.
Alerts to the municipality (when not urgent)
If it is a stray animal without immediate danger, the report is submitted to the relevant municipality.
→ This includes the most common cases:
• free-roaming stray dogs or cats
• need for neutering, marking or rehoming
• systematically neglected animals in a yard or property
• poor growing conditions without immediate danger
• alerts for shelters, kennels or places with lots of animals
→ In these cases, the municipality organizes an inspection, team or follow-up actions.
How to report a problem to the municipality
✔️ Through municipal contact centers or telephones
✔️ Online forms on municipal websites
✔️ Ecology, Animal Control or Environmental Inspection Departments
For Sofia for example:
• Sofia Municipality Contact Center – https://call.sofia.bg
• Municipal Enterprise “Ekoravnovesie” – h ttps ://ecoravnovesie.sofia.bg
(Other municipalities have similar contact forms on their websites.)
→ Important:
If the animal is hit, injured, attacked or poses a risk to people or animals 👉 call 112 first, not the municipality.
Most common confusion
❌ “There’s a dog on the street – take it in.” (written to an organization)
✔️ This is a signal to the municipality.
❌ Post on social networks
✔️ Does not trigger institutions.
✔️ Only the official report leads to an inspection.
Traceability – why it’s important
During the conversation:
- ask who you are talking to
- request confirmation of the signal
- save date and time
✔️ Report submitted:
- creates an official trail
- allows verification
- allows for sanctions in case of violation
❌ What is NOT reporting?
- social media post
- photo with a call to action “share”
- writing to an organization with the expectation that it will solve the problem
→ This may attract attention, but it does not trigger the law.
In short
✔️ 112 = emergency signal
✔️ BFSA = administrative violations
✔️ Municipality = local and non-emergency cases
❌ Social networks ≠ signal
✔️ The signal creates responsibility
ℹ️ Useful sources and information:
→ Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA):
https://www.babh.government.bg
→ Portal of municipalities in Bulgaria:
→ Sofia Municipality – Contact Center:
→ OP “Ekoravnovesie” – Sofia:
https://ecoravnovesie.sofia.bg
→ Animal Protection Act:
First aid is the correct first response.
It does not cure – it helps the animal survive until it reaches professional care.
→ If there is an emergency or danger – first call 112.
✔️ What to do right away
• Stay calm – the animal senses the tension.
• Keep your distance – a frightened or injured animal may react defensively.
• Ensure safety – first for you, then for him.
• If possible, move it carefully out of a dangerous area.
MOST COMMON SITUATIONS AND HOW TO REACT↓
A beaten or seriously injured animal
✔️ Restrict movement (box, blanket, makeshift stretcher).
✔️ Ensure peace and quiet.
✔️ Seek a vet or call 112.
❌ Do not give food or water.
❌ Do not give medications or human painkillers.
Visible wound or bleeding
✔️ If safe – apply light pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
✔️ Minimal movement.
✔️ Veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
❌ No alcohol, creams, powders or medications.
Shock, cold, or severe trauma
(fatigue, trembling, lying unresponsive)
✔️ Cover lightly with a blanket or clothing.
✔️ Peaceful and quiet place.
✔️ Don’t overheat – the goal is a stable temperature.
Overheating (heat)
(severe shortness of breath, weakness, staggering)
✔️ Shade and tranquility.
✔️ Wet paws or belly with lukewarm water.
❌ No ice water or pouring.
Newborn animals
They are extremely vulnerable.
✔️ Provide warmth immediately:
• carton + blanket/clothing
• a bottle of warm (not hot) water wrapped in a cloth
❌ Do not give milk or food “by sight”.
❌ Cow, sour (human) milk can be fatal.
→ Only – formula for puppies/kittens.
A scared or stressed animal
✔️ Calm speech.
✔️ No sudden movements.
✔️ Give him space.
If you’re not sure how to help
It is impossible to foresee all situations.
✔️ Get quick advice:
• veterinary clinic
• institution
• experienced organization
→ Important to remember
First aid is a calm, timely action that can save a life.
If you can, stay with the animal until help arrives. Sometimes this is just the first step.
→ What does helping mean as a personal choice, see section → HELPING – A PERSONAL CHOICE
FINES AND SANCTIONS
Failure to comply with the obligations provided for in the current legislation leads to administrative sanctions, and in more serious cases – to criminal liability. Below are the most common violations and their corresponding sanctions.
from 1000 to 2000 leva
Why is this information here?
Кампанията „Сканирай лапата“ има изцяло информационен характер. Тя не налага санкции, а прави закона видим, разбираем и ясен. The law applies to everyone – regardless of whether the animal is in an apartment, yard or “in the village”.
Source of information :
Animal Protection Act and Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria
The full and up-to-date text is available: → https://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2135579104
The Animal Protection Act exists. There are sanctions. There is control. Yes – it is not enough. But no state can be stronger than our personal responsibility. We often justify inaction with the words: “There is no control.”
The truth is – there is control, but the question is: will we do the right thing only if someone is watching us?
“Scan the Paw” reminds us: the law sanctions, but conscience builds society. Checks are not everywhere. But they exist – and they lead to consequences.
Here is who in practice carries out inspections under the Animal Protection Act:
Control over compliance with the Animal Protection Act in Bulgaria depends on the type of violation and the report submitted. Most often, inspections are carried out by:
Police (Ministry of Interior)
- in the event of violence, cruelty, intentional injury or murder
- in case of reports of crimes under the Criminal Code
- in emergency situations and life-threatening situations
Municipalities and mayoral administrations
- the conditions in which animals are raised
- abandoned animals
- tied up, neglected or kept in inhumane conditions
- registration and compliance with local regulations
- inspections in settlements, including villages
Mayors and deputy mayors (especially in small towns)
- first on-site inspection
- issuing prescriptions (an official order from a control authority. It states: →what violation must be remedied →within what period →what consequences follow if it is not complied with)
- Failure to comply with the prescription will result in a fine, sanction or ban.
- Assistance with reports and follow-up checks
Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA)
- animal registration and identification
- microchips and passports
- veterinary care
- breeding, trade and shelters
- Document and on-site inspections
Court and prosecutor’s office
- in case of severe cruelty
- in the event of pre-trial proceedings being initiated
- when the case constitutes a crime
What happens after a report is filed – Once the report is filed:
- he officially registered
- is directed to the competent authority
- an on-site inspection may follow
- prescriptions may be issued
- If a violation is found, fines, sanctions or bans are imposed.
- in serious cases – criminal liability
→ Important to know:
- the reaction is not always immediate
- not every report leads to a sanction
- but every registered signal remains an official trace
Do they actually fine you?
Yes. They fine you.
Not every report ends with a fine, but many inspections end with prescriptions, acts and sanctions, especially when:
• there is a repeat violation
•prescription not fulfilled
•there is proven suffering or cruelty
•there is more than one alert for the same address or owner
In small settlements, inspections often begin with a prescription. If it is not complied with, a fine and a ban follow. Many people count on “it will get away with it this time.” Often, the problem is not whether there will be a sanction, but when.
Where do the fines go?
The fines imposed do not go to organizations or campaigns.
They are paid into the budget of the institution that imposed the sanction:
- for acts drawn up by the police (Ministry of Interior) – in the state budget
- in the case of acts drawn up by the municipality – in the budget of the respective municipality
Fines are part of the official sanction mechanism under the law.
Why the “Scan Your Paw” sign matters. Many people rely on:
- “no one can check on me”
- “nothing will happen”
- “no one is watching here”
“Scan the Paw” takes the question back to where it all began – to you: What kind of person are you when no one is looking?
According to Bulgarian law, animal cruelty is not only direct physical aggression. Violence is any action or inaction that causes or allows suffering and violates the basic needs of an animal. This includes, but is not limited to:
Physical and direct violence
- hitting, kicking, dragging, or any physical abuse
- intentional injury or killing
- using animals for fighting or other cruel acts
- severe cruelty, where serious suffering, permanent disability or death is intentionally caused
→ this constitutes a crime and is punishable under the Criminal Code
Inaction and neglect
- deprivation of food, water, shelter, or veterinary care
- leaving an animal in unsuitable, inhumane or dangerous conditions
- prolonged confinement without movement, social contact, or protection from the elements
- neglecting an animal in distress when there is a real opportunity for help
- prolonged leaving without supervision and care – in an apartment, house, yard, terrace, garage, enclosure or other premises, regardless of the conditions
→Important: Violence often begins with inaction.
A direct blow is not necessary – irresponsible behavior and neglect are also considered violence.
Abandonment
- abandonment of an adult animal
- litter disposal
- “letting go” without care and control
- leaving an animal unattended with the clear knowledge that there is no one to take care of it
Abandonment is always considered a violation, regardless of intentions.
Registration and identification
- lack of mandatory registration
- lack of microchip and passport
The animal is subject to registration regardless of whether it lives in an apartment, yard or “in the countryside”.
About breeding
According to the law, any facility where pets are kept and bred (even at home ) must be registered as a breeding facility with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency. If you breed your dog without such registration , your activity is considered unregulated. The law does not distinguish between “one-off” and “regular” breeding when it comes to complying with hygiene and veterinary standards. There is a ban on unwanted breeding – the Veterinary Medical Activity Act (VMA) and the provisions of the Animal Protection Act (APA) impose on owners the obligation to prevent unwanted breeding of their pets. This means that if you are not a registered breeder, the state expects you to not allow the animal to produce offspring.
Trade and announcements
The biggest risk of sanctions comes if you decide to sell the puppies.
The sale of pets is only permitted by registered establishments.
The publication of advertisements for sale by individuals without a kennel registration number is often subject to inspections. In such violations, fines for individuals can be significant.
Every newborn dog should
– to be chipped and issued a passport by 4 months of age (or before being given away/sold).
– to be entered into the national database by a veterinarian. If you give away puppies without a chip and passport, you are committing another administrative violation.
If the breeding is purebred, it must also go through the relevant club of the Bulgarian Republican Cynology Federation (BRFC). Otherwise, the puppies will not have a pedigree and are considered “type” purebred, which often misleads buyers.
Other violations
- using animals in a way that causes fear, pain or distress
- rearing in conditions that are not appropriate for the species, age and needs of the animal
- systematic violation of basic humane treatment requirements
Source of information
- Animal Protection Act
- Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria
→ The full and up-to-date text of the legislation is available here: → https://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2135579104
Why is this information here?
The “Scan the Paw” sign is purely informational.
It does not impose sanctions, but makes the law visible, understandable and clear.
The law applies to everyone – regardless of whether the animal is in an apartment, yard or “in the village”.
Всички обичаме животните. Да искаш животно до себе си е напълно естествено – знаем колко радост, близост и безусловна любов носят те в живота ни. But love alone is not enough to have an animal.
They also have their own emotions – joy, fear, affection, sometimes suffering. They get sick, go through difficult times, and rely entirely on the person next to them.
Every owner believes that they are taking the best care of their animal and that nothing bad will happen to it. But if you remember the feeling of losing an animal and not being able to find it, then you can clearly see how much depends on our actions.
Sometimes reality turns out to be different from our expectations of life with a pet – and we often see the results of wrong or unprepared decisions on the streets of Bulgaria.
Therefore, it is important not only to love animals, but also to be prepared to take responsibility – moral, practical and financial. Animals rely on us both when they are healthy and when they get sick, when they need care, treatment or protection.
See what is important to know to prevent risks and do the best for the animal – responsibly, informed and legally.↓
IDENTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION
Every pet owner should know that identifying a pet is not a formality, but part of responsible care for the animal and the owner’s legal obligations.
ABOUT THE DOG
Microchipping is mandatory for all dogs after 4 months of age or soon after acquisition. This is a requirement under the Veterinary Medical Activities Act and failure to comply is subject to sanctions.
• The chip is placed by a veterinarian and entered into the information system with up-to-date data about the owner.
• The veterinary passport contains the identification, vaccinations and data of the animal.
• The dog must also be registered with the relevant municipality according to local regulations.
Important: a chip without current owner data does not provide real identification and may make it difficult to return a lost animal.
ABOUT CATS
Currently, in Bulgaria, microchipping of domestic cats is not generally mandatory by law.
However, it is highly recommended as part of responsible care because it significantly increases the chance of a lost animal being returned home.
New rules are already being discussed and gradually introduced in the European Union, which provide for mandatory microchipping and registration of dogs and cats in order to better protect animals and limit abandonment.
CONDITIONS OF RAISING DO NOT CHANGE RESPONSIBILITY
Many people associate caring for an animal with square footage – an apartment, a yard, or a village.
But the place itself is not a concern. An animal does not simply need space – it needs a person by its side, attention, security and constant care. By law, the owner is obliged to provide conditions that do not cause suffering and guarantee the good physical and mental condition of the animal.
This includes:
✔ secure shelter and protection from weather conditions
✔ constant access to water and appropriate food
✔ movement, contact and attention
✔ regular veterinary care
✔ a safe environment without isolation, chronic stress or neglect
This is both a personal and legal responsibility of every owner.
REPRODUCTION IS A RESPONSIBILITY AND IS SUBJECT TO LEGAL CONTROL
Because most people don’t know that:
✔ Breeding or selling puppies requires registration
✔ even “I give them away” does not always absolve from responsibility
✔ in the absence of registration there may be sanctions
✔ the law treats this as an activity that is subject to control.
Breeding a pet is not just a personal choice – it carries a personal and legal responsibility.
In Bulgaria, the law obliges owners to prevent unwanted breeding and to be responsible for their animal’s offspring.
If you breed animals for the purpose of sale, regular rental, or organized breeding, this is subject to registration as a breeding facility or kennel.
Such activity without registration is considered a violation and may result in administrative sanctions.
Even when little ones are “given to acquaintances,” the responsibility for their future remains.
Without real certainty about conditions, the risk of abandonment remains – and we often see the consequences on the streets.
If you decide to breed your animal, you take responsibility for the life, health, and future of all the young.
Therefore, control over reproduction, including castration, is part of responsible care – towards the animal, towards society, and towards the problem of stray animals.
ABOUT CATS AND THE HOMELESS POPULATION
There is no unified system for registering stray cats in Bulgaria.
Population control is based primarily on castration programs and responsible human behavior.
Castration of domestic cats:
• prevents unwanted reproduction
• reduces the risk of abandonment
• promotes a more peaceful life for the animal
This is the humane and sustainable approach.
PET IS NOT AN OBJECT
It is not a thing, a function, or a temporary emotion. It is a living being with its own physical and behavioral needs.
Caring for it is a long-term commitment – moral and legal.
SCAN THE PAW. THINK. BE A RESPONSIBLE OWNER.
When you see an animal in trouble, you are the person on the spot. At this moment, there is no institution that can react for you. It is your choice – to help or not to help. In most cases, the animal has been hit, injured or sick. In these situations, the real help for the animal itself is one: to take it to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible.
Often the first impulse is to look for someone else – an organization, volunteers, “someone to come and get him”. The truth is that at this point the animal’s life depends on you. Even if another person or organization gets involved later, the animal will still have to go through a clinic. Therefore, postponing or transferring the decision rarely helps the animal itself. The reasons are different – lack of time, concern about costs, or unwillingness to make this choice. This does not make you a bad person. But it is important to be honest with yourself.
If you decide to help, it means time, commitment and sometimes costs. But it also means you did the right thing for the animal . In many cases, help is found later. Sometimes the costs are reimbursed. But the order remains the same: First, the animal is helped. Then solutions are sought.
If you decide NOT to act – and that is a personal choice. But then don’t blame others to ease your conscience. Not organizations. Not institutions. Not “the state”. You were there. And you made a decision.
If you have decided to help, it is important to know how not to harm → see the section “First aid for an animal in distress”
Reporting is an action. It does not replace emergency help when an animal is in danger, but it creates an official trail and allows the law to take action.
This campaign doesn’t say “you have to.” It says: the choice is yours. But every action – or lack of action – has consequences. For you. And for the animal.
If you have already rescued a stray animal and are taking care of it, it means one thing – you have made a personal choice to help and you have not passed by. Not everyone chooses to do it. We know how often this means time, nerves, expenses and sometimes the feeling of being alone. And yes – there is not always someone to immediately take care of the animal for you. But there are ways to make things more organized and a little easier – when you know where to look for support and what to realistically expect.
IF THE ANIMAL NEEDS TREATMENT
The first step is often veterinary care. There is no universal free system that will automatically cover treatment, but there are options and sometimes assistance.
In practice it helps:
✔️ call the clinic in advance and explain the situation
✔️ ask what is urgent and what can wait
✔️ check for campaigns, discounts or the possibility of rescheduling
It’s important to know – caring for an animal often remains a personal responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you’re without support or without choices.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HELP WITH CASTRATION
Neutering is often one of the most important steps when caring for a stray animal. It helps prevent unwanted breeding and reduces the risk of the animal becoming homeless again.
Possible options:
✔️ municipal programs or campaigns for free castration
✔️ initiatives of organizations and partner veterinary clinics
✔️ periodic campaigns with discounted prices
These opportunities are usually limited and appear periodically, so it is a good idea to monitor the websites of municipalities, organizations, and clinics.
Check here:
• OP “Ekoravnovesie” (Sofia) — https://ecoravnovesie.sofia.bg
• FOUR PAWS Bulgaria — https://www.four-paws.bg
• Sofia Municipality Contact Center — https://call.sofia.bg
(If you are outside Sofia – check your municipality’s website. Programs vary.)
IF YOU WANT TO FIND HIM A HOME
Finding a home for a rescued animal is often the hardest part. If you’ve never done it before, it’s completely normal to feel unsure. It’s a good idea to ask an organization or people with experience – they can usually give advice on how to approach adoption, how to interview a prospective owner, and how to make the adoption process safer.
Often used:
✔️ short conversation or questionnaire to the prospective adopter
✔️ adoption contract or declaration
✔️ specifying commitments such as registration, castration and care
✔️ sometimes a home check to make sure the conditions are suitable – for both the animal and the person
This may seem complicated, but the goal is the same – to get the animal to the right place and not return to the street again.
Better a little more time and certainty than a hasty decision.
IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY
Sometimes helping an animal becomes harder than you expected. This is completely human. Sometimes support comes not from organizations, but from people around you – friends, relatives, volunteers, other people who have already been through this. Even a conversation, advice or temporary help can make things more bearable. It is important to remember: what you have already done matters.
And one more important thing
No matter how difficult it is and how much you have gone through, the very choice to help already matters. The fact that you have taken care, sought information and are ready to listen to advice speaks volumes. You will see gratitude where it is most genuine – in the eyes of the animal you have given a chance to.
“Scan the Paw” is here to remind you that anyone can make this choice – and that the more people who do it, the more animals will have a chance.
Thank you.
Animal care is a shared process. It happens thanks to the people who respond first, to the organizations and volunteers, to the institutions, to the veterinary specialists and to all those who choose not to be indifferent. When these units work in understanding and partnership – help becomes possible.
EVERYONE HAS THEIR ROLE
When we talk about helping animals, we often look for who should do something. The truth is that everyone has a role. Sometimes it is the person who first sees the animal in trouble and decides not to pass by. Sometimes it is the organization that directs, coordinates or takes on a case according to its capabilities. Sometimes it is the veterinarian who provides the knowledge and care without which rescue is impossible. And the institutions are responsible for long-term solutions and the implementation of the law.
None of these units is more important than the other. They are part of the same system. And when there is communication, understanding and respect between everyone, help happens faster and more sustainably.
No one can do it alone. But when everyone takes on their role, change becomes possible. These are not individual efforts – this is a system that works best when there is communication and respect between everyone.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Many people expect organizations to always be able to respond immediately and take in every animal. The truth is that most of them operate primarily on donations and volunteer labor, with limited resources – time, money, space and people. This sometimes makes it impossible to respond to every call, no matter how much they want to.
This is not a lack of desire or empathy. This is the reality that these organizations try to help every day. Often they can assist with guidance, contacts, information or coordination – not always with physical adoption of the animal, but still as part of the assistance.
Because caring for animals is not the task of one person or one organization. It is a shared process in which everyone matters.
THE ROLE OF VETERINARIAN DOCTORS
Without veterinarians, real help for animals simply cannot happen. We can react, report, shelter, seek a solution – but they are the people who treat, rescue, take on medical responsibility and often make the impossible possible.
I know that sometimes they are criticized – for the prices, for the conditions, for the difficult decisions. But the truth is that this work requires enormous knowledge, equipment, medicines, round-the-clock dedication and a lot of personal emotional strength. And yet many veterinarians help beyond their duties – with gestures, with concessions, with time, with understanding.
For us, they are not just specialists. They are partners in rescue. People without whom no treatment, no rehabilitation, no new beginning for an animal would be possible. That is why respect and trust between us is extremely important.
And most of all, gratitude. For every life saved, for every sleepless night, for every hope they give.
Often, specialists support the cause with gestures and concessions, but this is not an obligation – it is a partnership.
AID IS A SHARED PROCESS
Helping an animal does not begin and end with one person. It is a process in which everyone matters. Someone sees and reacts. Someone seeks information and reports. Someone directs. Someone treats. Someone takes responsibility in the long term.
Sometimes we expect everything to happen right away. Sometimes we get frustrated when things don’t go as quickly as we’d like. But the reality is that help happens when there’s collaboration — between people, organizations, veterinarians, and institutions.
No one can solve the problem alone. But when everyone does their part, even a small one, an animal’s life can be completely changed.
And that’s exactly where the strength lies – not in the accusation, but in the common effort.
TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE
Together we can do more is the heart of “Scan the Paw”. The campaign exists to connect people, organizations, institutions and veterinarians around a common cause – better protection and care for animals. Not to divide, not to blame, but to create understanding, trust and common direction.
When there is dialogue, communication and mutual respect, aid becomes more effective and more sustainable. Because change is never the work of one person or one organization – it is the result of working together.
We have already seen many small and big miracles and we know that they happen precisely thanks to joint efforts. We thank everyone who is part of this path – partners, volunteers, veterinarians, institutions and people who simply do not pass by. Together we go through difficulties, mistakes, doubts, but also through the hope that moves us forward.
Everything we have achieved so far is a shared effort. And that is what gives us confidence that when we are together, we can change reality for the better.
The “Scan the Paw” sign is the official symbol of the campaign and is used in its trademarked look. This ensures recognition, a clear message and trust in the initiative.
Official visions of the sign
-
- Основен Знак
- “Scan the Paw” sign (QR code) – All signs contain a QR code that leads to the campaign’s information platform – with guidelines, legal information, and options for response and help.
- Version of the sign with written sanctions – This version contains the visual symbol and the QR code, as well as written specific sanctions provided for in the law. The goal is for the information to be visible and understandable even for people who are unable to scan the QR code on site. The sanctions are displayed directly on the sign to clearly remind of the consequences for violations such as abandonment, violence, neglect or illegal animal husbandry. This version is placed in areas where a categorical presence of the law and a visible indication of responsibility are necessary. Its function is preventive – to make the consequences clear and the responsibility visible.
Example visualizations of how the “Scan the Paw” sign might appear in a real-world environment.
“Scan the Paw” didn’t start as a campaign. It started as a body of experience – years of working with hundreds of abandoned, sick and injured animals. And with one difficult but clear conclusion: most homeless animals aren’t born homeless – they become so because of human decisions.
In Bulgaria, thousands of dogs and cats live on the streets. Some of them were born there, but many were someone else’s – abandoned, unwanted offspring of domestic animals, the result of lack of castration, unpreparedness, or simply a change in the life circumstances of their owners.
Over the years we have heard the same stories:
an animal taken impulsively – “I don’t have the opportunity to take care of it”;
an animal that was given as a gift – “I travel a lot, there is no one to look after”;
an animal that gives birth “for health” – with no idea what comes next;
an animal that is getting old or sick and is now “difficult”
an animal that is already an “old collection” – “I want a modern breed”
→ And almost always there are no bad intentions behind these situations.
More often, there is a lack of information, unpreparedness, or the belief that “it will somehow be okay.” And here comes the most important realization: Salvation does not begin on the street. It begins much earlier – with the informed choice of the person.
Animal protection organizations cannot be an institution, nor a solution to a systemic problem. They work with the consequences – but the real change is in prevention.
We often give a simple example: just as on an airplane you put the oxygen mask on yourself first so you can help someone else, so in caring for animals – first there must be awareness, readiness and responsibility. Moral, practical and financial. Without them, help becomes temporary. And sometimes it creates a new problem.
So the point is not to collect more and more animals from the streets. The point is to reduce the reasons why they end up there. It was from this idea that “Scan the Paw” was born – a campaign aimed not only at animals, but also at people. It makes the law visible, provides information on how to react and, most of all, reminds us that care begins with personal choice. That the attitude towards animals is a reflection of our attitude towards society as a whole. This is not a campaign of accusation. This is a campaign for understanding, awareness and prevention. Because when people know more, fewer animals pay the price.
But even more importantly , no animal needs to simply end up in a shelter or organization. What they really need is a home. Care. Stability. A person who takes responsibility for it. Salvation is not living among dozens of other animals in a temporary shelter. The solution is to not let it get to that point.
This sign not only shows the Animal Protection Act and possible sanctions. It also reminds us of something even more important – the law of personal responsibility. That care begins with the person. That decisions have consequences. And that the attitude towards animals is a reflection of our attitude towards the world around us.
No animal needs to simply end up in a shelter or organization. Their real need is a person. A home. Responsibility. Living among dozens of other animals in a temporary shelter is not salvation. The solution is to not let it get to that point.
The “Scan the Paw” sign reminds us of exactly this – that before institutions, shelters, and sanctions, personal choice comes first.
Care starts with the person. And the decisions we make today determine the fate of animals tomorrow.
The sign itself won’t magically change people. But sometimes it’s enough to make you stop and think. And change starts right there.
Our goal is to reach more people – for more awareness, more responsibility and fewer animals paying the price of human decisions.
Who is behind “Scan the Paw”?
The campaign is an initiative of Stray Angels Bulgaria, an NGO that has been working with abandoned, sick and injured animals since 2016. Most of these cases are the result of human decisions – sometimes cruelty or neglect, but often a lack of information, unpreparedness or decisions made without realizing the consequences.
This sign was not born only from the pain we see. It was also born from the people who share it with us.
With immense gratitude to everyone who follows us, writes, supports, donates, reacts and empathizes with every story. In difficult moments, it is this community that reminds us that empathy exists. That there are people who do not pass by. Who see the consequences of irresponsibility, but also see the power of good choices. Many of you know that the system is not always enough. But instead of resigning, you choose to be part of the solution. And that is exactly what gives meaning to everything.
Stray Angels Bulgaria is not just an organization. It is a community.
A community of people who believe that awareness helps. That timely action matters. That when more people take personal responsibility, fewer animals end up in a situation where someone has to rescue them.
Because when there is a conscience, a sign is not needed .
But as we build it together, sometimes it’s important to have something to stop us for a moment and make us ask ourselves:
“What kind of person do I want to be?”
“Look at what’s happening in the world. There’s war. There’s violence. There’s no justice. The state doesn’t work. People are suffering, and you think about the animals.”
We are asked this all the time. And yes – we see it too. We are tired too. We are also weighed down by everything that happens around us. When you see suffering every day, it is not easy to continue to believe.
But no matter what happens outside, life doesn’t stop. People continue to make decisions. They continue to take or avoid responsibility. And the consequences of those decisions remain.
Hard times are no reason to stop being responsible.
We can’t wait for everything to get better so we can start making the right choices.
Yes, the state has its role. Yes, the law exists. Not everything always works the way we want it to, but there are decisions that no one can make for us.
To take an animal or not to take it. To be prepared or to act impulsively. To respond when someone is in need, whether it is a person or an animal.
No one puts animals above people. The person who has a heart to help doesn’t choose who to pass by. He helps – a child, a person in need, an animal. Because it’s not about comparison. It’s about humanity.
“Scan the Paw” does not divide. It does not oppose. It is not against anyone. It reminds us that we are one community.
That our lives are shared – together with the people we love, with our families, with our children, with the animals we have chosen to be part of it.
And if there’s one thing that really makes sense in difficult times, it’s not to separate ourselves. Not to make excuses. Not to give up on those we love. Because ultimately, the cause is not “for animals” or “for people.”
It is about the kind of people we choose to be.
Here are the people, companies and organizations that stand behind “Scan the Paw” and support its implementation. The sign is designed to remain clean – without logos, without advertising and without foreign messages, carrying only its own meaning. The partners who get involved do not seek visibility on the sign itself – because they believe in its meaning.
This is a position. And it is precisely this that makes this sign strong.
Currently: The “Scan the Paw” campaign is being implemented in stages with the support of the first partners:
COMPANIES AND BUSINESS PARTNERS
Fibank (First Investment Bank) – supports the distribution of the sign through its network of offices in the country.
“Fantastico” stores – support the initiative through communication broadcasting of information about the campaign on the screens in their stores.
https://www.fantastico.bg/shops
Mag Advertising – 20 advertising facilities (billboard positions) remain in Sofia and Plovdiv
- VIDAS – honest, natural drink – Support in the implementation and organization of events to disseminate the campaign.
MUNICIPALITIES AND STATE INSTITUTIONS
Municipality of Lovech – Provision of public locations in the city for placing the sign.
Kostenets Municipality – In the process of discussions and development
Municipality of Pleven – In the process of discussions and development
ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
“Pure Love” Foundation – partner in the distribution and development of the sign – coordinator Pleven Municipality.
MEDIA PARTNERS
In the process of discussions and development: We are in talks with institutions, municipalities, organizations, companies, media and civic initiatives for future partnerships and expanding the presence of the sign. Interest in the initiative is growing and new opportunities for implementation are constantly being discussed.
📍 Upcoming event:
An official presentation of the initiative is planned for March 29 in Sofia, which will mark the beginning of the next stage of expanding the partnership network.
The list of partners will be updated gradually.
How can you get involved?
“Scan the Paw” is implemented through partnerships with municipalities, institutions, organizations, companies and active citizens who stand behind the cause of awareness and responsible treatment of animals.
The campaign does not have its own advertising budget and does not raise funds.
The implementation of the sign is carried out with the assistance of partners who undertake its development and placement according to their capabilities through:
- providing locations
- technical implementation
- communication distribution
- organizational support
The sign itself remains clean and unchanged – without advertising elements, brands or logos. Thus, it retains its public function and recognition as a symbol of awareness and responsibility towards animals. All partners who support the initiative through real actions and implementation are noted in the “Partners” section.
If you would like to become a campaign partner, contact us via the contact form below or by email:
