How to adopt your very own World Cup pup

Animal rights groups have alleged that the Russian government is culling stray dogs in World Cup host cities, with some warning that hundreds of pups are at risk. Official state tenders for companies to "capture, transport away, and dispose of" stray dogs also appeared to have increased this year, ahead of the World Cup - although the government previously promised it would stop the cull.

It wouldn't be the first time Russia has culled strays ahead of a major event. Before the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014, residents said that "thousands" of homeless dogs disappeared from the streets - although the authorities claimed they only put down unhealthy dogs.

And even if the dogs don’t get killed, they are left frightened and homeless on the streets, while crowds of excited – and, inevitably, very loud - football fans descend. 

But one group of Russian animal lovers has found the perfect way of fighting back – with love. They set up a new project called Befriend, and are calling on fans visiting host cities to adopt a new doggo friend while they’re in town.

Their website features the profiles of around 150 cute pups. If a particular dog takes your fancy, you can apply to meet them through a contact form. Like Facebook for doggos, except you get to be friends IRL.

All the dogs have their own interests, including ‘swimming’, ‘being faithful’, and the slightly more left-field ‘watching Soviet movies’.

Befriend’s mascot is Yura Druzhok (which means ‘Friendly Yura’), a seven-year-old good boy from Moscow who looks very friendly.

Sasha Belanovsky, one of the people behind the scheme, tells BBC Three that they’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for people to find their Russian doggo soulmate.

“We started off as a small shelter, started by a group called Nika, but when we saw the World Cup was coming to Russia, we decided to expand to all 11 host cities,” he says. "Russia does have a problem with homeless dogs, there's no doubt about it. So we want to help as many as we can.

“We thought, 'If football fans also love dogs, then they are able to come and adopt a dog that they like'. So if they’re going to Kazan, or Saint Petersburg, or Moscow to see a football match then they can also apply to adopt a dog. While they’re in town they can come to the shelter, meet the volunteers, and see if they match with any of the dogs.”

Sasha explains that all of the dogs have been vaccinated, and have their papers, and pet passports in order – ready for them to travel to their new homes.

But, as with any pet adoption, he wants to make clear that welcoming a doggo into your life is a big responsibility - which is why they insist on meeting potential owners in person and interviewing them before allowing them to adopt.

“We won’t give our dogs to just anyone," he says. "It’s very important to make sure that potential owners are serious, that they will take care of the dogs, and that they’re generally a good match.” 

The site has been up for a week, and Sasha says they’re now working their way through their first few applications from both within Russia and further afield. 

Of course, it's important to check the requirements of the country you live in, and whether your dog will need to be quarantined before they can enter the country. If you're bringing the dog back to the UK, you'll need a vet in Russia to fill out an EU health certificate for them - something Sasha says Befriend can help with. 

And if you can't adopt just yet - say your flat's not big enough, or you have a cat who'd get jealous - you can still help a doggo out by sponsoring one through the website.

So if your team gets knocked out of the World Cup early (*cough* England *cough*), at least you could come home with a furry friend you can kick back and watch Battleship Potemkin with.

But remember, a doggo is for life - not just the World Cup.

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The "utter b*****d cat" of your dreams is available for adoption 

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