Emergency for 79 dogs in Romania

1. In Romania, Maria has almost no kibble left to feed the 38 dogs in her shelter. They might starve if nobody intervenes!

"There are so many dogs in need that I can't help them all because of the lack of food, so I try to pick the ones that are least likely to make it on their own or those that are about to be euthanized, and I take them in at the shelter. I do my best, as always, to save as many as possible, but these days have been difficult because there are fewer and fewer adoptions, and the number of stray dogs in danger is still high...

In the next few days I will be taking in 17 new dogs from the municipal pound to save them from euthanasia: everything is a challenge when you have so many dogs in your care, but I can't let them die there, the living conditions of the dogs in the pound are terrible, I have to give them a chance to live and find a loving family!

Today I only have a two day supply of kibble left so I have rationed their daily portions to last longer. The problem is that the stronger dogs are eating the weaker ones, and they have already started to weaken. All of them are more aggressive, they have started to fight. This is the worst feeling... I pray that this campaign will be a success!"

2. Tory's trauma at the pound has left its mark: he needs kibble to recover!

"I rescued Tory from the municipal pound, I don't know his story well. All I know is that he was very frightened and could not tolerate other dogs or any human being. We have been working with him for a long time, and my husband and I have been able to approach him recently.

Because of the traumas he experienced on the street and in the pound, we are aware that it will be difficult for him to be adopted, but we are not losing hope! In the meantime, he must continue to live at the shelter and I am afraid that his health will deteriorate if I don't find some kibble soon... He doesn't deserve to starve!"

3. Due to a lack of space, 41 more dogs are housed by Georgina, a volunteer, in an improvised shelter. They too are threatened by the lack of kibble!

"As I don't have enough space at home to save as many dogs as I would like, Georgina takes in another 41 dogs and looks after them on a daily basis. The problem is that we don't have any volunteers, it's just Georgina, my husband and I who look after the two shelters on a daily basis... It's a daily challenge!

The main problem is to find enough kibble for all our dogs, especially for those in Georgina's shelter who are all sick, injured or recovering from major operations... So I have to plan my supplies so that they last as long as possible and that everyone eats their fill. The problem is that since we rationed them, the dogs feel that there is less kibble in the bowls, they tend to attack each other to eat more...

If the lack of kibble continued, I would have to release dogs to prevent fights from spreading and some from losing their lives. It would break my heart, I would feel I had failed..."

4. Rio's cancer has left him blind and he is entirely dependent on Georgina for food: without kibble, he is doomed.

"When the owner of Rio was hospitalised, his family threw him out on the street... He was very ill and developed cancer! Thanks to a long treatment we managed to cure him, but unfortunately the disease was so violent for his body that he became blind.

As you can see from the pictures, he is wearing a waistcoat because he has started to lose weight and needs some extra warmth during the winter. He just stays in his bed, eats and does his business. As he can't see, he's scared of everything new around him and has no chance of getting by on his own, he won't survive without kibble!"

5. Maria dedicates all her time and income to save dogs from a certain death, but since the pandemic, the situation has worsened, she can not buy kibble.

"Our association only functions thanks to donations, and when we don't receive any, we use our own money. Lately, we haven't received anything... The pandemic has clearly weakened everyone and our shelter is suffering the consequences. The donations are generally small, they are insufficient for the number of dogs we take care of...

I am lucky to have my husband by my side every day. We put all our energy, time and money into making this shelter work as well as possible. But in the real world, it takes more money and other resources than we are able to provide alone. That's why I'm asking for help, any help."

6. Maria is not asking for money, only kibbles to keep the dogs from starving.

"I have devoted all my time and effort to building and running this shelter. I just couldn't stand by and watch this massacre! I had to do something. Sometimes all you need to do is put him in a safe place and feed him properly to see a skinny, lifeless dog become energetic and healthy again, with incredible joy in his eyes when you pet him or play with him!

Being responsible for so many dogs and continually bringing in new ones from the pound or the street means a lot of work to get them all the food and medicine they need. There are a lot of expenses associated with running a shelter in addition to the food, so it's a new struggle every day. I just hope I can keep doing it...

Dogs in pounds live worse than dogs on the street. They all deserve at least the basics: food, water, shelter and a chance to find a family. And I've been successful with most of them so far, so the results motivate me to keep going no matter what. There are so many families who have adopted a dog from my shelter who are incredibly happy. So I can say that I have not only helped the dogs but also the people!"

7. If this campaign succeeds, Maria will not receive any money but 3000 kg of kibbles, delivered from Animal Webaction's logistic platform in Romania.

Animal Webaction has a logistics platform in Romania which enables us to intervene quickly and deliver kibbles.

8. Despite her many attempts to call for help, Maria is alone, she can only rely on this campaign to feed the dogs.

"The associations 'Au Bonheur des Mastins' and 'Hors des Murs' in France support us as much as they can to pay the veterinary bills. Unfortunately they don't have the means to help us any further... I try to make the best of the resources I have and receive, but the donations are not enough to feed all the dogs, so I have to keep asking for help...

On our association's website and Facebook page I have asked for financial support or donations of kibble, but I have only received a small amount of money so far. Everything has become more expensive in recent months, from gas to electricity to building materials. My plans are no longer feasible and I have to be careful with my expenses... I feel trapped, kibble has become too expensive and my dogs need it more than ever to survive!"

9. Campaigns launched on Animal Webaction often fail.

When a campaign fails, Animal Webaction cannot deliver the products. The beneficiary doesn't receive anything and the buyers are refunded. 

10. In Romania, it is difficult to find funds for kibbles, there are no aid, no grants, no foundation... Many abandoned dogs die alone in the streets, in complete indifference...​

If you know of a foundation or NGO that could help Maria please invite them to contact us so that we can put them in touch.

If you represent an animal protection foundation or NGO, please help Maria's dogs, contact us and we will put you in touch!

If you want to come to Maria's shelter to help them or if you want to send them directly some kibbles or a check, contact her via Facebook (note: direct help is under your own responsibility).

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