Stray dogs have always been populous in Sochi, but their growing numbers have never been more of a problem than they are now, during the Olympic Games. Many were kept originally as pets or guard dogs for construction workers but were left behind after construction ended. When the dogs were first found lingering around the gaming arenas, pest control authorities (who were already well-versed in “dealing” with strays) stepped in with a stronger influence than ever. Citing the potential danger in their aggression, these companies initiated the systematic disposal of the dogs when Putin voiced worries that the strays would mar Russia’s image.
There is bright side to this sad sequence of events: This attempt to quell the dramatized infestation of stray dogs has ignited an impressive and unprecedented international response. In Sochi, outraged animal rights activists rush to save estimates of over 2,000 strays before the exterminators can reach them. Volunteers are working together to collect the dogs into makeshift shelters, and a several local residents have allowed the dogs into their homes. Other volunteers work in the night, loading the rogue animals into cars and smuggling them to safer homes outside Sochi.
To the surprise of many, Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has also stepped in. Raised as a dog lover, the now-aluminum tycoon has invested a substantial amount of money into the building of another shelter, PovoDog, on the outskirts of the city. Facebook users can access PovoDog’s page for information on adopting the dogs, or for updates on the organization’s work.
Olympic Team members themselves have even decided to help out with the adoptions: A few U.S. athletes have already Tweeted pictures of the extra cargo returning home with them. The process is slow, but the future of Sochi’s strays is not all around grim as gold-medal-deserving citizens join together to keep creating happy endings.