We cannot let this shelter's 67 dogs starve!

1. In Romania, Elena is almost out of kibble to feed her shelter's 67 dogs. They will starve if no one helps!

“Lately, I've had a surge in the number of dogs at the shelter: people keep abandoning their dogs that are mostly unsterilised. The pressure's been mounting on me and the shelter… I want to help them all, but currently, I'm struggling just to provide for the dogs I have. With inflation, low donations, and no adoptions for about a year, it's a bleak situation. I don't want to let these dogs down, but I'm struggling to keep up with the increasing demands!

I need more kibble to keep my 67 dogs fed, but my resources are stretched thin. With the economic situation, I've had to cut back on kibble for the past few months, and now I’m down to my last bags; that's only enough for less than three days… I'm exhausted and stressed out, I no longer know what to do to get kibble. This kibble campaign has to succeed – not just for the dogs I have now, but so that I can save even more of them!”

2. Due to the lack of kibble at the shelter, Elena’s dogs get sick and more aggressive! She fears terrible outcomes if this campaign fails…

“My dogs have been surviving on lower quality kibble, and they're not eating enough… It's taking a toll on them: I've noticed many dogs developed health issues, like dermatitis, while their agitation and aggressiveness keep peaking! I'm terrified that they'll get sicker, start fighting each other, or worse… I have many fragile dogs and they are the most at risk! 

Besides, the strays in the area are suffering too... Many are hungry, and even those with owners mostly live on the streets, unfed and unloved. There are countless pregnant females, and the lack of sterilisation campaigns here is appalling! People treat these dogs horribly – scaring them away, refusing to feed them, and even being outright aggressive. It's tragic!

I'm already stressed and desperate, but I can't bear to think about my dogs getting sick, fighting dangerously, or even dying, if I can’t get kibble… I only wish to have a steady kibble supply and a secure shelter to continue my rescue efforts, but I keep getting trapped in this desperate kibble situation again and again... I just want to give these dogs a better, healthier existence!”

3. Fetita’s heart disease makes her particularly vulnerable… Without kibble, her health will be put even more at risk and she might not make it!

“Fetita has been with us for 3 years; she was an abandoned dog near my previous shelter, and I couldn't just leave her there, so I took her in! I don't know why she was abandoned – she could have been born on the streets, but it's impossible to tell!

She has preoccupying heart problems that I’ve been trying to manage. She's a really timid dog, always frightened and running away when anyone gets close… Kibble is essential to maintain the bond with her and to prevent her from becoming too scared when I give her treatment. She’s also ageing and with her heart condition, it’s vital that this campaign succeeds!”

4. The sluggish economy has caused Elena to lose partnerships: dealing with a drop in donations and debts, she can’t buy kibble anymore…

“In the past, I used to rely on partnerships with other associations and supermarkets to help me get kibble for the dogs... But now, with the economic crisis, those partnerships have disappeared, and everyone's tightening their belts! I even had to cancel some treatments because of the lack of resources… I have no job or income but a growing debt at the vet!

Moreover, the donations are very scarce nowadays; they mostly come from friends rather than associations like before. I think the pandemic, the war, and inflation have made people more reluctant to donate. My recent fundraising attempts, like those with Voice for the Needy, haven't been very successful, raising only a fraction of the amount needed.

Apart from an association helping with sterilisations and having only two sponsored dogs, I have no other sources of support... I can't see any more options for getting kibble than this Animal Webaction campaign right now because people are less willing to help, and it's difficult for everyone. I've tried searching for other means, but I haven't found anything…”

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

“My involvement in animal protection began in 2006 when it was decided that all stray dogs in the capital would get killed; the Brigitte Bardot Foundation got involved and started a sterilisation campaign. Along with other organisations, we started catching dogs to get them sterilised, hoping to promote this instead of killing. Then, I began saving dogs on my own...

It’s fantastic to be able to save lives, especially when I rescue dogs in really bad condition. I find joy in giving them a second chance, and sometimes even finding them a loving new home. But adoptions have been nonexistent for about a year, mainly due to the economic situation: many people cannot afford taking care of a dog.

I'm all by myself at the shelter, with only a friend helping me with transportation… I wish there were more people supportive of my shelter at a local level. It’s still perceived quite negatively, as my actions are misunderstood by many; I go against the general attitude towards dogs - I care about dogs, I treat them, sterilise them, rescue them and feed them…”

6. If this campaign succeeds, Elena will not receive any money but 1800 kg of kibble, delivered by Animal Webaction's logistics centre in Romania.

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

7. Elena’s supporters did their best to help but alas, it remains insufficient - faced with unfruitful fundraisers, this kibble campaign is her last chance to keep the dogs fed! 

“At the moment, I don't have any current partnerships or collaborations with organisations, either in my country or abroad. The only help I receive is from Phoenix, a Romanian NGO helping me with sterilisations every two months. I've tried reaching out to a few organisations abroad for help, but they told me they are also overwhelmed by the situation.

My recent fundraising attempts, like Paws Hope and Voice for the Needy, haven't been successful. I wasn't able to raise even half of the amount I needed! Getting kibble is a constant struggle for me and I can only rely on this Animal Webaction campaign, now… I will be so thankful to anyone who will contribute to its success and help me continue caring for and rescuing so many vulnerable 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 is no aid, no grant, no foundation... Many abandoned dogs die alone in the streets, in complete indifference... 

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

If you represent a Foundation or NGO for animal protection, please help Elena's dogs, contact us and we will put you in touch!

If you want to come to the shelter to help Elena or if you want to directly send them some kibble or a cheque, contact her via Facebook (note: direct help is done under your own responsibility).

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