A VISIT TO GALATI SHELTERS

                                                      by MERRITT CLIFTON

In Galati dogs found at large may be taken by the authorities to either of two pounds,  which are still the same canine concentration camps that they were in 2004,  or they may be taken by individual rescuers to several private shelters.  The largest,  operated by an organization called Help Labus,  presently houses about 600 dogs and some cats on a muddy former farm beneath high power lines,  at the end of an almost impassible dirt road running parallel to the railway.

Though Help Labus tries to avoid becoming a canine concentration camp,  it is at best a refugee camp.  The dogs are fed,  and have resting boards and cloths to lie on,  but most of the work of the organization appears to go into just expanding the facilities,  constantly,  to accommodate more and more dogs.
Few resources are available for sterilizing dogs,  doing public education,  arranging adoptions,  or doing any of the other work needed to accomplish more than just saving dogs from the dogcatchers.

ROLDA is by contrast not primarily about saving dogs from dogcatchers.  Saving dogs from dogcatchers matters a great deal to Dana,  but because she tends to take the long view of the situation,  ROLDA is chiefly about changing the paradigm for dogs,  cats,  other animals,  and human/animal relationships.

Read more: A visit to Galati shelters

Fulfilling the "Five Freedoms" on a budget of nothing

                                          writen by Merritt Clifton,March 2010

REGHIN,  ROMANIA- Snapping photo after photo of the Fundatia Fiducia,  I knew the images would be  for my own documentation only. 
The photos would show only what most people would see:  a seemingly haphazard collection of sheds,  lean-tos,  woodpiles,  and conventional doghouses,  accommodating an equally haphazard collection of Romanian street mutts. 

The photos might show that the dogs were well-fed and happy,  at least on the morning of Sunday,  March 7,  2010,  but only an overview from a helicopter hovering above could reveal the dog-friendly patterns in the apparently random placement of structures that began to impress me just a few minutes into my first of several walk-throughs to verify and further inform my initial impressions.

Read more: Merritt Clifton visited Fiducia shelter

LOVE HAS NO BORDERS PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY AMN USA

Our friend and the Romanian animals ambassador in USA - Colleen Paige launched a new international program for animals in need all over the World.

photo: Colleen Paige supports Romanian animals and since 2009 is their ambassador in USA.

ROLDA is the only Romanian charity taking part of the program,but there will be plenty of other charities from all over the World included.

"What this program does is match people in the states of certain heritage with rescue pets from other countries" Colleen said...and of course it's an interesting,fun but above all humanitarian idea to help the less fortunate ones:"And what we hope to do is fund the travel expenses for dogs and cats adopted by people in the states, who cannot afford to pay those fees."

We at ROLDA are proud to be part of Animal Miracle Network's big family and be included in this ne wprogram is an honnor,I hope many animals from all over the World will benefit of this and be safely rehome in families, to put an end to animals abuses and cruelty on the streets.

Every animal deserve a safe and loving family and with some resources,support and responsability in time we humans can fix that for our voiceless friends.

83 dogs shot in Reghin,help us save the others

Last Wednesday 83 dogs were shot because of Mayor’s order according with local witnesses and animal lovers.

Lidia from Fiducia is a strong person which survived many problems but these periodic slaughters put her down emotionally, she struggles to find energy and resources to feed her dogs and all her past 10 years of life she dedicated to this shelter that she built and becomes a ruin because of the local authorities.
Let’s help Lidia and the survivors dogs have a green old age!

ROLDA TEAM WELCOMES FIRST VOLUNTEERS IN 2010- A COUPLE FROM USA

Steve Goldsmith has volunteered at various animal care centers in Africa, England, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the United States.  This included wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries and being a surrogate for baboons.  Steve has been interested in the care of strays since taking in a cat from the streets when he was younger.  Since then he has become passionate about the issue and has wanted to get more involved with working with stray animals.  While planning a trip to Romania, he found ROLDA and thinks it offers the perfect volunteering opportunity. 

 

Vanessa S. has recently graduated with a degree in zoology and environmental conservation.  She has volunteered at animal rehabilitation clinics and animal centers in the US, Ecuador, England, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.  While in Central America, she noticed an abundant number of stray dogs roaming the streets and decided she wanted to volunteer her time to work with giving attention to these undernourished animals.  She believes ROLDA has a great program with taking care of dogs in their care, as well as prevention of any unwanted pregnancies by sterilization.

Thank you Vanessa and Steve for choosing ROLDA,we are honnored and grateful for your support!

ROLDA dog shelters affected by the snow storms

Four days of continous snow in Galati and freezing temperatures created a haos in Galati region in mid December, the town was isolated for two days and no car had access in and out the town.Driving was a challenge even for winter equipped vehicles (like SUV 4X4)because of the mountains of snow left in the middle of roads.

Read more: Dog centers affected by snow storms