Romania Animal Aid!
Registered charity no. 1133543
Romania Animal Aid was established following a fundraising trip through the Carpathian Mountains for the animal charity WSPA. There were 24 of us in the team and all of us were immediately struck by the number of street/stray dogs roaming the cities, countryside and small villages... most of them living a miserable and uncertain existence.
We witnessed many sad and hungry dogs and young puppies looking for food and shelter. Some with broken legs due to being hit by cars as they weave in and out of traffic looking for a friendly soul who might throw them a few scraps. Others we saw were extremely malnourished and, as such, had lost the use of one or more limbs.
One such dog we found close to the popular tourist spot of Bran Castle. Having been in the country for almost a week by this time we just couldn't look away any longer! 'Foxy', as he became known, was so weak he could no longer use one of his back legs, he was desperately tired and his spirit looked broken.
(Foxy on day we found him)
Although we were part of a group travelling onwards by coach, we knew we had to do something for this small dog. After a few frantic calls, we were thrown a life-line by Cristina Lapis who runs the Zarnesti Bear Sanctuary http://www.milioanedeprieteni.org/about an hour from where we were. Cristina is famed for her work in animal welfare in the country and she helped us rescue Foxy. She subsequently looked after him for us in her home until he was well enough to be moved to Galati where he was then cared for by Dana Costin and her team at the ROLDA Animal Foundation. We are forever grateful to both Cristina and Dana for their huge hearts and all that they do for so many Romanian street animals.
Foxy is one of the lucky ones but there are tens of thousands of dogs living terrible lives day to day on the streets. Some of the more vulnerable and injured ones are picked up by the few animal charities working tirelessly for the animals, many of them hopelessly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the problem and/or with limited funds.
One of the charities we work with in an effort to secure a better future for some of the dogs in their care is the ROLDA Foundation www.rolda.org. Dana and her team run a catch/neuter and release or adoption program in an effort to control the over-population of street dogs in the Galati area. Some animals are too young/old or ill to be released back to the streets once spayed and so remain at one of ROLDA's two shelters. Here they will be vaccinated, receive flea and worming treatment and of course... be spayed/neutered. Only a few will ever find homes within Romania itself, the others will simply live out their lives in the shelters unless homes can be found for them overseas.
There are currently over 500 dogs at ROLDA many of which are very young and would make the most wonderful and loving companions. They have truly beautiful natures and all deserve a chance of a life away from the streets and outside of kennels!
Please visit our 'Homes Wanted' page for the latest hopefuls looking for a forever home. Remember, all dogs are spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated before leaving Romania. They all have pet-passports and their transport arrangements cost just £200 per dog which will be paid for by Romania Animal Aid with the help of donations gratefully received.
(Foxy now living in Kent with Janet who was part of the treking group that found him)
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