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Doggie Parcels to Romania
Wetnose animal aid has been sending parcels and money
to help the ProAnimal Rescue Centre in Gorj,
Romania.
Andrea, Dawn and Sue have been helping by sending knitted coats, knitted blankets, leads, bowls, flea powder, bandages, wound cream, clippers, all sorts of parcels to help the 300 dogs at the shelter who have nothing.
Andrea Gamby-Boulger director of Wetnose said "Patricia at the ProAnimals shelter tries so hard with her mother Carmena to care for these dogs, some of which come in with broken legs or so thin they can barely walk. So we all decided to do something about it".
The ProAnimals website is www.ProAnimals.ro
These dogs really have nothing at all, no toys. No
coats in the cold winters, no leads or collars. They deserve so much more.
Patricia is desperately trying to start a Neurtering Programme and to educate
the local people about looking after their animals. But you can't do these
things without money. Wetnose has made a start by giving aid, please join us
and give what you can as well. Cheques can be sent to Wetnose at Wetnose Animal
Aid, 
Newgate Lodge, Kirby Cane, Norfolk,
NR35 2PP or given to
our shop at 14A Hungate, Beccles.
Gav Visits Pro Animals Romania
We were aware that conditions in Romania are very different to that of the UK and indeed the rest of Europe, and had always taken that into consideration. However, reports were coming to us as to how bad things were out there at this shelter and that maybe Wetnose should take a closer look. We decided that we would make our own investigation and on Wednesday 8 December 2004, I left for a short visit, having announced my intention a few days before, advising Patricia that I would take up her offer to visit them.
After arriving at Bucharest airport at midnight, we then drove some 350 km to Tg Jiu and I was finally introduced to Patricia's father, who incredibly was there dressed to greet me at 4.50 in the morning. Would I like some coffee? No thank you just some sleep!!
Patricia collected me at 0900 and took me to meet Carmena who welcomed with open arms at their little house, along with the 18 various dogs who were there barking at the tops of their voices, in a harmonious greeting!
After a hearty breakfast, we were off to first the local hospital, to collect some broth that was left over from the patients and that was very good for the dogs, particularly the puppies and those in the sick bay over
Finally, we arrived at the shelter, having seen on the way, quite a number of ‘strays' and unwanted dogs roaming the streets, thin, scavenging and the limping remnants of unwanted pets. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable at what lay ahead of me at the shelter.
I have run a dog rescue centre for twelve years in the UK and re homed in the region of 500 plus dogs a year, and thought that I was relatively hardened to pleading eyes and the plight of the homeless, but I was totally unprepared for the sight that was before me as we arrived at the shelter.
THREE HUNDRED PLUS happy doggie voices thunderously barking greeted our arrival, clamouring at the gates to say hello and welcome, pushing and shoving to get to the front to meet the new arrival.........me!
We forced our way through the gate and I was now surrounded by the Pro Animals 300 plus residents, who crowded round me, jumping up to lick and express their interest in this strange man. I almost felt like a pop star for a moment!
As I wandered around, with dogs of all shapes and sizes following trustingly behind, listening as I spoke to them in my strange English tongue, I took in the harsh conditions, the very basic conditions that were these dogs' home.
For a moment I stopped, just in total awe of this incredible haven for these unwanted dogs, desperately by now trying to stem and conceal the waves of raw emotion that were now pouring down my cheeks.......... a big German Shepherd (named Lupitzu) jumped up to me and buried his head in my shoulders, nuzzling and crooning to me.......I gave up..........I let the dam break and I sobbed my heart out... with this strange big dog, called Lupitzu........
Romania is it seems a 100 years behind in time, and the attitude and living conditions are so very different to us. I recalled that it was only 15 years ago that this country was a Communist state, and that local government/council was all powerful, and you did not challenge them. Attitudes are changing of course, but it takes time.
It is an uphill struggle, as the shelter is owned by the Council, and the local policy is to annihilate every stray in the city with the ‘flayers' who round up these unfortunates, and kill them by any method imaginable. The lucky ones escape, and some find safety at the Pro Animals shelter. The local mayor holds the Sword of Damocles over their head, threatening to evict all at any minute
Everything is not perfect, but the love, total dedication and care across the board from Carmena, Patricia and the kennel hand Ticca is very evident in this big canine family and the evidence that they were loved back by the dogs shone through.
Carmena has even sold their own home, and with the proceeds bought approx 10 acres of lovely countryside on the edge of Tg Jiu where in time, and hopefully very soon, construction can begin on a new shelter and orphanage, independent of local authority, where all animals from the current site can go, and others can come in to safety, warmth, and care, away from this dreadful persecution.
I returned to the UK convinced that Pro Animals are very worthy of support and Wetnose Animal Aid is even more totally committed to helping them realise this very, very necessary need.........there is so much to do.
