We cannot let this shelter's 168 dogs starve!

1. In Romania, Luminita will soon be out of kibble to feed her shelter’s 168 dogs. They will starve if no one helps! 

“The number of dogs in the shelter has increased lately due to a high number of abandonments, especially after New Year's… Currently, I have 168 dogs and among them, many mama dogs I rescued with their puppies! The wintertime is also making it more challenging, as the number of adoptions has dropped yet more dogs arrive at the shelter: I can't bear the idea of leaving them in the street to freeze… But I’m facing a serious lack of resources and food: my dogs don’t eat enough and they’re very agitated!

Inflation made it more expensive to buy kibble and I feel powerless and ashamed of asking for help, especially when people in this region (the poorest in Romania!) are struggling to buy food for themselves! For a few weeks now, I’ve been drastically rationing, as I can’t get any more kibble. In that fashion, what I have left might last a couple more days, at best… I break down every day, as I’m deeply affected by the fact I can’t help the dogs enough… This kibble campaign must succeed so I can feed my dogs!”

2. The dogs are hungry, their survival instincts take over: many fights occur and Luminita dreads the worst if this campaign fails...

“I am forced to feed the dogs the bare minimum of kibble, so I can make what I have left last longer. But it’s really not enough to feed them properly! It’s affecting their behaviour a lot: they’re on edge, running around to try and search for food… Still, my greatest concern is that they're also very often attacking each other… I fear they'll end up killing each other!!! I already have cases of broken noses, ears, legs, they’re already on survival mode and I don’t want it to escalate any further! 

If I can't find any kibble, maybe the stronger dogs will survive. The others, smaller and weaker ones, on the other hand, will die: if not of hunger, then, from the injuries caused by other dogs in dangerous fights for survival... It's so hard for me, emotionally, it's hard to sleep at night thinking about all of this… The outcome of this campaign will be a matter of life and death for my dogs: if it fails, the dogs will kill and eat each other out of starvation.”

3. Kiwi is blind and has no bearings at the shelter: entirely reliant on Luminita, he won't survive without kibble!

“Kiwi's story is a real tragedy which left me very traumatised... I had spotted this dog and his mum (both small breeds) on the streets - they had probably been abandoned together, possibly because they became a burden to their former owner: Kiwi is blind and very dependent! He wouldn't have survived long on the street alone...

Alas, the day of their rescue, the mother got scared and ran away: I went looking for her and only found her later in the day, dead... Kiwi is safe at the shelter but his blindness makes him particularly vulnerable. He relies entirely on me to feed him and survive the winter, which is why this kibble delivery will be essential for him.” 

4. In the poorest Romanian region, donations are almost non-existent: Luminita's financial struggles prevent her from buying kibble... 

“I've been struggling to make ends meet for a while now… I can't work like I used to, mostly because of my health problems that have been caused by running around all day and night to take care of the dogs… My pension is really insufficient to cover both my everyday life basic needs and the shelter’s expenses, as it doesn’t match the inflation rate at all. The situation is so tough I can't afford my (though urgent) knee surgery at the moment! Indeed, I already used my savings to buy a little bit of kibble for the dogs… and I've accumulated huge debts to the vet. But sadly, our region is plagued by poverty, so most people just can’t donate either…

Two people came and brought a few kilos of kibble to the shelter recently... But, when they saw and realised how numerous the dogs were, it made them cry... These selfless people didn’t seem to be well-off at all, yet they donated kibble for my dogs… While many others just come and leave me their dogs, without ever asking if there’s enough food for them! I'm really thankful to these people who tried to help, and I'm also incredibly grateful to receive the help of a French organisation. But sadly, even their means aren't sufficient to cover all the shelter's needs, starting with kibble... I wholeheartedly hope this campaign will succeed, as it's the only way for my dogs to have enough to eat!”

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

“I founded the association in 1999, when I saw the need to protect abandoned dogs in the streets. Back in the 1990s, the streets were full of poisoned dogs, and I knew I had to do something! I started documenting myself and reading all the laws so I could fight the authorities and put an end to the carnage… 

Over the years, my actions have made a difference in my community... I've been able to raise awareness and encourage people to get their dogs sterilised. I also entered into a collaboration agreement with the local town hall, where they agreed not to euthanise dogs as long as I take care of them at the shelter. Still, rescuers like me are often seen as weirdos… 

It's not easy to run the shelter on my own and it has taken a toll on my health; I literally “live with pills” to manage insomnia, stress and depression… Though I still face regular criticism, I'm determined to continue helping dogs! I feel like I’m the voice of the ones who beg! I just really need more involvement and support from people, we could do way more for dogs…”

6. If this campaign succeeds, Luminita will not receive any money but 2400 kg of kibble, delivered from Animal Webaction's logistics centre in Romania.

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

7. Luminita's supporters have done everything they could to help her get kibble: this campaign must not fail! 

“I'm amazed by the dedication of my French partner organisation ("Les Oubliés de Roumanie”): they’re fighting for us, publishing about fundraisers, adoptions, vet care, calls for help or kibble. They check in on us every day to see if the dogs have eaten… They have the biggest heart and without them, I don’t know how I could continue to care for and feed my dogs!  

But sadly, even their priceless support isn’t enough to cover all the expenses, from vaccines, to any other vet care… Though they help me a great deal, adoptions are not doing well enough and they can’t support kibble costs for so many dogs as well! The situation isn't easy for them either… I’m aware that the economy impacts everyone a lot, that it’s not easy for people to donate for dogs… But I’ll be beyond thankful if this campaign succeeds, it means the world for me and 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 Romania, it is difficult to find funds for kibble, 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 Luminita, 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 Luminita's dogs, contact us and we will put you in touch!

If you want to come to Luminita's shelter to help her or if you want to send her directly some kibble or a cheque, contact her on Facebook (note: direct help is under your own responsibility).

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