Maybe we are biased but we believe when it comes to supporters and donators you will not find better than those who support Action Aid for Animals. Again they have proven by doing and giving what you can, no matter how large or small it really makes a difference.
On 15th October the transport van arrived at the death row shelter and 15 more lucky dogs found freedom and a new life. They escaped their cruel and merciless country and found love, kindness and lots of snuggles right here in the UK.
Every single dog has his or her own story, one thing is common with all, they have been through so very much. Abuse, fear and starvation was a common day occurrence for them in Croatia then as if life could not get much worse they are get caught and put on death row.
Each ones time is ticking away, allowed to remain alive for 60 days, after that they will face the final walk and these poor sweet dogs lives will be over. What an existence, to be born into a life of terror and cruelty for it only to end not like the fairy tales with a happy ever after, this is real life, these dogs lives if not saved will end on death row..The crime was simply being born and to be a stray in a country that simply does not care. If this were a child having to go through this there would be uproar. But these are strays with no no worth to no one, regardless that they experience fear, regardless they feel pain, regardless that they cry and whimper with loneliness and for some die from their spirit finally being broken and loose all hope, regardless all they want as any animal on this earth does is to feel safe and loved.
When our charity first entered Croatia to see how we could help, time and again doors were closed in our face. City halls were not interested in what we had to say and as for what laughingly are called public shelters the majority would not allow us entry because of the heinous acts they carry out on the innocents within, However when we knocked on Belimanisters door, a public shelter funded by city hall the same as the others. The staff welcomes us with open arms and agreed to a collaboration.
Belimanister is most certainly the diamond in the rough in Croatia. The staff led by Veterinarian Miro Prepeg were trying so hard despite limited resources to find homes, to sterilise to do what they can for the dogs in hopes that maybe, just maybe a few more could be saved rather than being ordered killed by city hall. They welcomed local volunteers who are a rarity in Croatia because unlike the UK and other countries, in Croatia dogs, cats, animals in general are deemed vermin. Something to do with what you want, most certainly not to care for in any way. In this country if you volunteer your time to help animals you are classed among your peers as worthless, someone who can not find anything better to do in life, someone who no one else wants. In the UK we know this to be the opposite, to volunteer, to help, to give your time is a selfless and incredible act.
Together AAFA, Belimanister staff and volunteers have saved hundreds and hundreds of lives.This week we can proudly add another 15 to those figures . Among the 15 are two amazing dogs we would like to tell you a little more about, two dogs that you, our charities supporters and donators whose lives you truly saved.
She was so terrified of everything that she would try to make herself as small as she could in a corner or hide under the nearest object.
With dogs like Virgina it is so hard to find fosters or adopters willing to take them in. The dogs true character hidden deep inside as too scared to trust anyone to show it, too scared to even come and take food from a bowl if anyone is looking, too scared to even come for fuss from a human hand.
However Melissa Benak who attends the shelter every single day , all day, 6 days a week on our behalf works with such dogs. Slowly earning their trust, day by day encouraging that dogs true character to shine through, Each hour showing them that the world is not always such a terrifying place and that not all humans want to hurt them.
The video below is Virgina yesterday after she arrived in her foster home. Along with 14 others who boarded the transport funded by our supporters via the Ticket to Freedom events we organise. With your support and donations this wonderful girl has learnt to trust and is now ready to find her Happy Ever After, just like all little girls should be able to.
This poor little dog was so poorly, unable to eat, to stand, to drink and her body temperature dangerously low. All we could do was throw everything we could at her, love, care, specialised nutrition, regular vet care and pray.
A volunteer at Belimanister offered to foster and watch over her as we all knew if she remained in the shelter she stood no chance of survival. So she was taken to Ivana's home where she was hand fed every few hours, kept warm and given as much love as possible.
Sh survived the first week, then the next, then the one after that. Every day becoming stronger until Miro confirmed she was clear and 100% on the mend.
Once she was fit and healthy she was moved into foster of Katarina, our other vet in Belimanister who has a small sanctuary and Rachel spent her last few weeks in Croatia playing with her new friends including a rescued goat and a sweet young rescued deer.
Rachel boarded the transport this week and along with Virgina and 13 others thanks to our supporters and donators, she is now safe and snug in the UK. In fact, Rachel found her forever home before she left Croatia and as you can see from the photo below she is having that deep sleep that all rescue dogs have when they first reach safety. That special long sleep where they know that they are loved , where know they are safe, that special long deep sleep when they know that they are finally home.THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND DONATE TO OUR CHARITIES TICKET TO FREEDOM
TOGETHER, WE REALLY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!