A Model to Humanely Solve the Homeless Overpopulation Problem

ArcelorMittal Galati, Romania (AMG) is the World largest steel company. They own two iron and steel companies in Romania, at Galati and Hunedoara and two pipe producers in Iasi and Roman counties. ArcelorMittal Foundation was created in 2007 and in 2011 was already supported 588 social local projects across the world.

The steel plant from Galati is one of the largest from Europe and by far, Romania’s biggest exporter. It is the biggest “engine” that keeps local economy alive while its charitable support in fields like the environment, education, public health, and sports is life-changing for the entire community.

In 2007, AMG initiated a dog project in partnership with ROLDA. Based on our research, AMG is the only corporation in Europe which started from zero, built and committed to finance month after months the costs incurring from running this type of  project.

Even when the plant cut production to half or even a third of what it used to be, as a result of the 2008-2009 international financial crises, AMG continued to support the community, charitable projects.

Why a dog charitable project?

The steel plant was built in communism time and when ArcelorMittal purchased it, they became the "lucky" beneficiary of few hundred strays which rapidly became few thousands.

Located at the outskirt of Galati town, the steel plants surroundings are the “ideal” place where most of the dogs are abandoned from Galati, often from Braila (near-by large town) or villages. In searching for food, dogs migrate to the departments where people work, take lunch breaks and leave rests of meals in trash.

Packs of dogs were formed in a short notice, sometimes these dogs became territorial, aggressive and attacking employees and clients of the local steel plant.

A solution had to be found by the AMG board for the safety and the health of their employees, business partners and clients.

ROLDA & AMG

In 2007, AMG contacted ROLDA to work out an action plan for dogs and people wellbeing.

In summer of 2007 the first steps were made for what became soon one of the biggest dogs centers from Romania.

photo: Romanian-indian managers visiting the dog project, 8 March, 2008

Hundreds of dogs were captured, placed in safe, clean kennels where quality care is provided (good dry dog food, veterinary assistance, flea and internal parasites control treatments), dogs are tamed, evaluated and rehomed safely in Romania or abroad from where touching follow-up stories came regularly.

In fall 2011, AMG invested in addition for safer paddocks and also sponsored the building of a charitable small veterinary clinic to be used for sterilizations and treatments for collected homeless dogs.

It’s been over 5 years since AMG silently offers an alternative for thousand of “nobody” dogs. These efforts are making a difference for the Galati community, for each and every life saved from possible dangers and looked after with care and compassion.

5 years, day by day commitment, funds spent, help offered unconditionally to ROLDA to accomplish the strays rescue mission

The plans for future include connecting the shelter to national electric network, adding water and electricity for the vet clinic, purchasing the veterinary equipment, building running spaces for dogs exercises.

Living into a society in which animals are constantly abused, in a society where nobody wants to invest at least public funds to solve public problems, the total support offered by AMG is even more precious because it is a legacy for the next generations and it should also be appreciated, encouraged, maybe set as an example into this materialistic World ready to forget its values.