We cannot let this shelter's 45 dogs starve!

1. In Bosnia, Maya is almost out of kibble to feed her shelter’s 45 dogs. They will starve if no one intervenes! 

"Providing enough kibble is a constant problem during the summer months. It's the same story every year: when people go on vacation or when September arrives and the children go back to school, our donations drop drastically. I understand, everyone has their own priorities. But at the same time, with inflation hitting us, everything has become more expensive. Food, utilities... everything! And that's putting a huge strain on our shoulders.

We only have 50-60kg of kibble in stock. Based on our daily consumption, that means we've barely got 2-3 days before we run out. I'm under a lot of pressure. Every day, I ask myself, "What will I do if I can't feed the dogs tomorrow?" These dogs are my whole life, I give all my energy to them and the last thing I want is for them to suffer. This thought even keeps me awake at night... Honestly, at the moment, we're on the edge of our seats, looking for any solution to get kibble. I'm banking heavily on this campaign, because it's our only lifeline!"

2. Maya's shelter mainly takes in sick and fragile dogs, they can't survive without kibble...

"It's really heartbreaking to see how the lack of proper nutrition affects our dogs, both those at the shelter and those on the streets. Every day I see the consequences. Older dogs and those battling illnesses, don't recover as quickly on the low-end kibble we have. They need a richer food, full of vitamins and minerals. And right now, with our tight finances, we're forced to ration this lower-quality food.

It's a real precarious balance; we'd managed to set aside a small budget for kibble, but we've had to pay for essential veterinary care and treatment, especially for older dogs. As a result, we have nothing left for kibble! But our dogs need kibble as much as veterinary care... one without the other is simply not viable! If things go on like this, I really fear for their health.

Every day is a real challenge. The constant stress exhausts me, and it takes energy and a clear mind to look after these dogs. What torments me most? The fear of having to release them onto the streets for lack of kibble... That's simply not an option. We have to find a solution! This campaign is our last hope for our shelter and our wonderful dogs..."

3. Found emaciated and covered in wounds, Nora urgently needs kibble to regain her weight and her health!

"Nora is a beautiful 8-year-old dog with a heartbreaking past. We found her on the streets a couple of months ago, abandoned, likely by those she once thought of as family. Her body was scarred with various injuries, likely from fights with other street dogs, although it's just our guess. One injury, especially on her muzzle, was so severe it needed stitches. She's so thin and undernourished that you can see her bones poking through her skin. And she's scared of everything, particularly thunderstorms... Given her frail state, the kibble we currently have just isn't enough for her. She needs a nutrient-rich diet to regain her strength and health!

4. The situation is only getting worse with inflation and the drop in donations... Maya is in debt, she can no longer buy kibble!

"We haven't had any new donors lately. Of course, we have our regular supporters, and we're so deeply grateful to them. But given the current economic situation, people are becoming more hesitant to donate. I totally get it: with inflation and the rising cost of living, some folks are even struggling to meet their own basic needs...

Balancing between food and vet care at the shelter really is a challenge. We usually prioritize stocking up on kibble, but there are times when unexpected vet emergencies come up. Recently, some of our older dogs needed immediate attention, which means we had to take funds out of our kibble budget. It feels like a never-ending cycle; constantly juggling limited resources while costs just keep rising. As of now, we owe around 1500 euros to several vet clinics, and our kibble stock is practically empty...

I won't sugarcoat it; it's really tough. Every day brings a new set of challenges... The constant pressure can be almost too much to bear. Even when things seem okay, my worries never stop - about the weather, the kibble, vet bills... And the thought that I might not be able to care for my dogs tomorrow keeps me up at night. "

5. Maya is not asking for money, only kibble to keep the dogs from starving. 

"Ever since I was a child, I've felt a deep connection with animals. It must be in my blood because my parents and sister share this same compassion. Growing up, my sister and I would care for stray dogs, even going as far as hiding puppies on our balcony. It was our little adventure, our way of having fun while doing some good in the world. Of course, our parents always ensured both we and the dogs were safe. But then, one day, animal control showed up and took all our dogs away... It was one of the most heartbreaking days of my life, a pain I'll never forget.

I'm proud to say that, at least locally, we're the "good guys". We're the ones trying to put an end to these senseless killings and save as many dogs as we can. We serve the community by looking after these abandoned and stray dogs, treating and healing them, even though our efforts often go unnoticed. There's no fanfare, no praise, but that's not why we're in this.

I feel like I've been saying this over and over, but it seems like nobody here really cares about these dogs. From when I was a child till now, the attitude of the local authorities, and even the locals, hasn't changed. Everyone turns a blind eye to the suffering of these animals. There's no drive, no push to address this issue! That's why we strive to help as many animals as we can, because we know that if we don't, no one else will..."

6. If this campaign succeeds, Maya will not receive any money but  1360 kg of kibble, delivered from Animal Webaction's logistics centre in Bosnia.

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

7. The association's supporters can't help any more: this campaign must succeed!

"We've made countless attempts to seek help locally, gather donations and funding. Yet, not one local organization has ever stepped up. Internationally, securing sponsors is also a real uphill battle, but we do receive support from a few groups that help us find homes for our dogs overseas. In fact, just earlier today, we bid farewell to one of our dear companions heading to his new home. The feeling of seeing one of our protégés embark on a new life is simply priceless!

But daily life remains hard. We struggle to stock up on kibble, not to mention the veterinary care our four-legged residents need. Every dog we take in is considered a member of our family, and it's a constant race to make sure they have everything they need. And it's not just a question of money. A simple encouraging word about our work, sharing our cause, can really change everything.

In essence: the more people are aware of what we do, the more animals we can assist. Our dream is to see every one of them safe, fed, and loved. And if we could broaden this circle of awareness and support, just think of how many more lives we could touch!"

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 Bosnia, stray dogs are tortured and killed illegally without anyone looking...

If you know of a foundation or NGO that could help Maya, 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 Hope's shelter dogs, contact us and we will put you in touch with Maya!

If you want to come to Hope VMS to help Maya or if you want to directly send her some kibble or a cheque, please, contact Maya via 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.