We cannot let these 120 dogs starve!

1. In Serbia, Zuzana's association is almost out of kibble to feed the 120 dogs under its care. They will starve if no one helps!

"My association takes care of 120 dogs and despite the adoptions we had, their number is always increasing. Many pregnant female dogs are abandoned, so we also have to take care of several newborns and puppies… Even if it’s a lot of work, I have a strong sense of duty towards these dogs! But the shelter’s situation is so difficult… 

Kibble is my main, constant issue and getting enough of it to feed so many dogs has become particularly complicated lately, mostly due to the inflation… There’s a huge backlash in the donations I get: many foreign donors can’t donate anymore and it’s impossible for me to rely on local donations only, they are too scarce to cover the dogs’ needs…    

I only have enough kibble for 3-4 days, depending on how it’s rationed. And that doesn’t take into account the influx of new dogs who keep arriving all the time! The more dogs will arrive, the less kibble I will have to feed them… This shelter is my whole life, so I’m very sad and scared because there’s no certainty I’ll be able to feed my dogs in the next few days…"

2. Happy is emaciated and extremely weak after giving birth to 10 puppies: her litter's survival and her own depend on this kibble delivery! 

"Happy was found at the local pool, in a very bad condition and pregnant… She was suffering from severe malnourishment and hair loss. She’s extremely timid and it’s very likely she was abandoned because of her pregnancy… 

She’s still in a very poor shape and now that she gave birth to 10 puppies, the impending total lack of kibble particularly puts her at risk... She’s still very scared of humans, yet my volunteer and I manage to interact a little with her, step by step.

Earning Happy’s trust will take some time and kibble! She’s our weakest dog: she just gave birth and has many mouths to feed. She really needs this kibble delivery to improve both her physical and mental health, to recover and to nurse her puppies, so that they can have a chance to grow up healthy!"

3. The shelter is home to many vulnerable dogs: without kibble, their health will decline and they won't make it through winter...

"Rationing the dogs’ kibble portions is not something I like to do but when my stock is dwindling, which is the case right now, it’s my last resort to try and make it last as long as possible. In such a situation, I can’t be picky about the quality and I have no other choice but to feed them with poor quality kibble…

I’m concerned about the side-effects of these reduced quantities of low quality kibble. Whenever the dogs eat this type of food, they have trouble processing it and get diarrhoea! Besides, winter is coming and they will need more energy to face the extreme cold. But they won’t build up any strength with such a mediocre diet, as it lacks essential nutrients and calories…

My rescue dogs are severely hit by this kibble issue: coming from tough living environments, they’re malnourished and in awful shape. It’s way worse and a real heartbreak when I rescue pregnant or nursing underfed females! Providing my dogs with kibble is my priority and it’s really a matter of them surviving, at this point… This campaign can’t fail!"

4. Zuzana can no longer rely on the dramatically dropping donations: indebted, she can't buy kibble for her dogs anymore!

"It’s a real struggle to try and run the shelter with such a dramatic drop in donations… It is the only way for me to cover the dogs’ needs in terms of kibble, kennel maintenance and improvement, vet care or treatments, but it’s far from easy! I lack financial means and I have debts at the vet clinic and for kibble expenses, too… 

Many dogs I rescue have medical conditions that require heavy care or surgeries and these are very expensive! It’s hard to keep on paying for these, as every cost of living keeps on rising. Donations get worse and people are getting poorer everywhere in the world. They can’t afford to donate for animals like they used to, as it’s not what they would consider a vital cost item…

I’m not in a situation to buy kibble for my dogs. I am feeling really sad… I can’t do anything other than trying to get some help through fundraisers and kibble collections… but they’re not successful! Dogs are like any other living being: they need to eat to survive. Their health is at stake if this campaign fails…"

5. Zuzana isn't asking for money, only kibble to keep the dogs from starving!

"Not so many people are involved in animal welfare here. So, someone has to do it! That's why I founded Pongo: I save and protect strays because I think they deserve and need care, and love, just as much as owned dogs do… But the association doesn’t have enough funds and volunteers to help me rescue dogs, and it’s getting harder each day to find both… I'm ageing and tired, it's not easy! Things are changing slowly and with a lot of difficulty, in the area. People generally consider it my own responsibility to remove each dog from the streets. But they never wonder or ask how a rescue is done or how a shelter works, and what it costs...

There are lots of dogs in the streets and it’s very concerning… They're vulnerable, they lack food and it’s really hard to help them since many are hiding away from humans. Many people here have no compassion at all when it comes to feeding these dogs. They don’t care about them at all, which is unfortunately the best case scenario… I know I make a difference whenever I save an injured or sick stray and I’m really glad I got to have several dogs adopted during the summer! If only more people realised that dogs aren't toys or objects: they’re sensitive beings and need lots of love, care and attention."

6. If this campaign succeeds, Zuzana will not receive any money but 1200 kg of kibble, delivered from Animal Webaction's logistics platform in Serbia.

Animal Webaction has a logistics platform directly in Serbia, which enables us to intervene quickly and deliver kibble.

7. Zuzana's supporters have reached their limits, she has no other solution to feed the dogs: this kibble campaign can't fail! 

"I have many dogs under my care, only a few are sponsored and it's very hard for me to have all of their needs covered with such meagre resources and low donations. It makes things much harder when it comes to finding new sponsors and partner organisations. I am always reaching out for help but I keep on waiting for answers! It seems that the whole world is on hold, waiting and wondering what will happen next in terms of global events… It’s impacting my association and my dogs a lot, because each cry for help, each collection or fundraiser is unfruitful.  

Everyone is struggling lately, some organisations even told me that they could only help if I cut down the number of dogs under my care, but it's unthinkable for me! Many of the dogs have been with me for years, I love each and every one of them and even though I struggle, I prefer to keep on finding other ways to help them rather than giving them away... That's why I am turning to you today, I can’t see any opportunity other than this campaign to get kibble for my dogs…"

8. 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. 

9. In Serbia, street dogs are hunted by the state and ignored by the population, volunteers like Zuzana are their only hope.

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

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

If you would like to drop by Pongo's shelter to help Zuzana or if you would like to send her kibbles or a check directly, contact Zuzana via Facebook (note: direct help is your own responsibility).

10. If you make a purchase on Animal Webaction, it will be protected by our guarantees.