Caring for a dog isn’t complicated, but it’s more than just feeding and walking them. Pet ownership involves more than providing basic needs like water, food, and shelter; it’s about ensuring their overall well-being.

The best-case scenario is for animals to thrive in their new homes, and years of experience have taught us that those who truly love animals will do their best in this respect. After all, it has evolved into something that makes it justifiable for pet owners nowadays to be called pet parents. It all involves ensuring that the animal in their care has a happy and healthy life.

For many of the animals in our care, it sounds like more than a dream come true, especially since they are desperately looking for someone to check off those bare necessities. So, here are some things people do to ensure their pets are thriving.

Routine checks every pet owner should perform

Don’t get scared! Although being an involved and caring pet owner means being invested, some things will take up time and mind space only the first couple of times you must do them. Afterward, it becomes routine: you do it without thinking, and everything runs smoothly.

Also important to note is that these could be done daily, weekly, monthly, or at other intervals. So there is no reason to feel overwhelmed, especially since you were surely doing most of them, maybe even more often than required. Let’s see.

Daily routine

In the morning, take your dog out for its first potty break. Rinse out the water bowl and provide fresh water along with its breakfast. A brisk morning walk or a round of play is highly recommended as it promotes physical health and mental stimulation. During this time, quickly assess your pet’s physical condition and notice whether there are changes in the level of energy or appetite.

You can get on with your day if you don’t notice anything different or worthy of your attention.

Around midday, another potty break and a short walk are very much needed. If no one is home to take the dog out, provide access to the yard. If possible, hire a dog walker or ask a friend or family member to help.

Interactive playtime and dog puzzle toys would also be beneficial around this time of day. If you work from home, you could schedule some time for cuddles, training, or whatever you both like to do, as it would provide a great bonding moment.

This is the best time for the dog to work off its peak energy levels, so the evening routine is left for calming, connection, and closing the day.

The evening routine is supposed to be about winding down, getting some nourishing food, some final walks and exercise to guarantee a good night’s sleep, quiet time with the family, grooming, and other essential health and hygiene tasks. These include brushing the fur, checking for ticks if the dog has been out playing in the long grass, especially in the rainy season, checking the skin, ears, eyes, and paws for dirt, irritation, and scratches. When checking the dog’s mouth, ensure it has no trouble swallowing and brush its teeth.

Some people might prefer to clean the water and food bowls after dinner, while others prefer to do it right before breakfast. It’s up to you to choose whichever fits your routine best. Just do it at least once daily, as you would not like to eat out of a dirty plate either. Some people even recommend that owners of particularly drooly breeds wash them after every meal.

Weekly

Do a weekly check of your overall routine to see whether you can make any changes and how they could benefit your dog. Maybe your dog is not getting enough walks or exercise, or perhaps you are doing activities that overstimulate your friend instead of getting him ready for bed.

Ensure that what you do during the day aligns with his dietary needs, health and physical exercise needs, mental stimulation needs, and connection to you and the rest of the family.

Look at your entire week. Has your dog had enough exercise? Have you been to a park at least two or three times? Has he had the chance to socialize and play with other dogs at least once a week, if not more? Does your dog get quality family time with you and other household members? Do you have enough potty breaks during the day? Is the water bowl consistently cleaned and refreshed?

Monthly

These are generally health and hygiene tasks. They may look like many in bulk, but if you space them out and set up a calendar with reminders for each, it will take seconds to complete them and ensure you can check them off your list.

Parasite prevention is a must. Checking the skin for ticks has already been mentioned, but it doesn’t hurt to be safe. Topical application of tick repellent solutions is a great way to go. The same goes for fleas. Depending on the size of the dog and on your outside schedule, you can choose one of a variety of solutions.

Heartworm medication is equally important and must be part of your preventive routine. It’s best to set a reminder for this one so you don’t skip a dose.

Trimming nails is another monthly task, but it can also depend on how much time the dog spends outdoors on concrete, as that can help wear the nails more than it would for a dog that only walks on soft surfaces.

Bathing is done every 4-6 weeks, depending on the breed and the type of fur. It is best to do this according to each dog’s specific needs. Being too meticulous can have the opposite results.

Do a body check and feel your dog’s waistline and ribcage for lumps or scratches. Also, make an overall assessment of its energy levels and appetite. Weigh your dog monthly.

Bedding and toys must not be washed too often, because if they lose their scent, the dog might lose interest in them.

Yearly

Unless you have reasons to go in sooner, the vet’s check-up should be done at least once a year. The good news is that a professional will take over the check-up, and you no longer need to be the one with the list.

Everything from parasite treatments and prevention to vaccinations and preventing any other medical conditions your dog might be prone to having in the future is now on your doctor’s list. You make sure to get your dog there!

Many people hesitate to adopt dogs they fall in love with at the shelter because they already have other pets and fear how those pets might react. Ideally, all animals would coexist peacefully in your home. However, their main concern is situations where their existing pets cannot be in the same room comfortably.

Some people feel that bringing home a new dog would betray the trust of their existing pets. On the other hand, they would also feel bad for the adopted dog if they had to take it back to the shelter. It is never an easy decision to make, and it is not something they would feel comfortable about trying. This decreases the pool of potential adopters, not because we think there should be a pet in every house (actually, we believe that), but because it takes away the opportunity from some of our dogs to be loved and cared for by excellent and experienced pet owners.

Most people who have this dilemma feel like they could make a difference and offer a good home to a poor animal, but they are still holding back because of these fears.
But what if we told you that, if done right, you could have that fairytale outcome with more pets living in harmony in your home. Here are some pointers on how to do it.

Preparation steps to follow

You are the one holding all the cards going into this. You get to pick the dog from the shelter, and you know the dogs you already have at home. It is up to you to decide whether or not they would be compatible and capable of living together.

Ensure there is compatibility

In our daily practice, we see many cases where pet owners don’t correctly assess the situation at home.

In other words, they have one pet that is obviously reluctant to share its home with another, yet the owner insists on welcoming more pets. This can have the opposite effect for all the animals, with the pets at home getting more territorial since they see every attempt as an attack, and the pets from the shelter being taken back and forth between the house and the shelter, causing more trauma.

Only adopt a new pet if you are sure the pets you already have can adapt to the idea – even if not immediately. The best person to discuss this with is the animal’s vet. They can do the best personality assessment, and their recommendation will be the most valuable in deciding whether you should consider adopting more pets.

When your doctor says he sees no issue with it, you should run the same type of checks on the dog you will adopt. Make sure to mention at the shelter that it will live in a house with other animals and ask about its background.

While the shelter will not have an extensive background on the animal, it can still provide valuable information on temperament, past trauma the dog has had to recover from, and more. Rehabilitation is an important part of the rescue work, and it is the process that tells the shelter team what environment the dog would be best suited for.

Some dogs are best for quiet homes, with fewer triggers and no feeling of competition for resources and attention, while others would be better off in a house with other pets. Pick a dog from this latter category when you already have one at home.

A vet check would also be recommended, especially if it’s your other dog’s vet. The person who knows your companion best can tell about compatibility right away.

Getting the new dog its own things

You might probably still have old beds, bowls, toys, and blankets from your other dog. But giving them away to the new dog would be disastrous, even if they have not been used in a long time.

The dog you already have might start getting territorial, and the new dog might avoid using the things of the other since they are too embedded with their scent.

Instead of having them fight like toddlers over everything, get new stuff for the shelter dog and avoid all the drama.

Create Neutral Ground

Prepare your home
Create some areas that could serve as safe spaces for every animal in case they don’t immediately hit it off. Don’t expect them to understand what you just did and go along with it enthusiastically. It might take some time. And even if it does, it does not mean the whole plan has failed. It’s normal for them to need to come to terms with the new situation. Acceptance is a process.

So, while they are still getting used to the idea, it’s best for them to have separate resting areas so everyone can cool down without being in each other’s faces.

Important: We cannot tell you how long your dog will need to adjust to the new living conditions. This is mainly because you know your dog better than anyone else, and it is up to you to look at him and tell whether things are starting to settle or if he is still too deeply upset with the new arrival.
As uncomfortable as it is, you must do the vibe checks, and your assessment of the situation will be the best.

First meeting on neutral ground
Bringing a new animal directly into another animal’s house is inconsiderate. Have them meet and play together in a park first. If they play and have fun, you already nailed it! Even if they ignore each other at first, you are still on the right track.

If they growl and bark at each other, you might have a problem. If you don’t manage to get them to at least give each other a courtesy sniff without biting, your chances of making it work are extremely low.

But if they do enjoy playing together, there is your green light.

Have other household members become the new dog’s favorite person
This works best in homes with multiple residents. For starters, it models for the dog the notion of cohabitation with others of your own kind. Secondly, if your dog sees that it does not have to compete with the new member for your love and attention, only some of its living space, and even gets a playtime companion, it might be more prone to accept the situation faster.

Sharing the love and attention of their favorite human might be the most challenging thing you could ask your dog to do. This is why getting someone else in the home to be the favorite of the newcomer might smooth things along.

It could be a partner or even one of the kids, preferably someone who has not shared that special bond with the dog. This is not to say that you don’t all love our family dog, but you know it will follow one of you around the house, cling to one person more than the others, and pick that human over the others in any context.

Show your dog that those things remain unchanged, and that the new dog will be the ‘attaché’ of one of the other humans.

These are great ways to help smooth things along. But the starting point is your own assessment of whether your dog can do this. Don’t skip this step, or you will not be able to overcome his protests.

A heartbreaking part of running a dog shelter is that most senior dogs we care for often have the lowest chances of being adopted. It saddens us every time potential adopters overlook these gentle, loving dogs, who are equally deserving of a caring home, yet will likely spend their entire lives with us at ROLDA.

There is no way to sugarcoat this – puppies are cute, energetic, they have years of fun memories ahead of them, and they mostly have a clean bill of health. How are senior dogs supposed to compete with this?

Having worked with and lived with these dogs as permanent residents over the years, we’ve learned quite a bit about them and believe in sharing that knowledge. Senior dogs make excellent companions for those who appreciate their qualities and learn to value what they bring.

Calm and gentle souls

We’ve said it before and will say it again: puppies are crazy cute! However, they bring with them the chaos of puppyhood, which few people are ever truly ready for. Most first-time dog owners push through it and come out on the other side truly enjoying their time with adult dogs.

Then, there are those who imagine quiet evenings, relaxing on the sofa or reading a book while their dog rests at the foot of the bed. In reality, a senior dog fits this image a lot better than a puppy. Most likely in this scenario, the puppy would be in the corner, chewing the toilet paper roll, asking for play and walkies.

And this is all great in the right context. But if you are more of a ‘quiet night in’ type of person and would appreciate a calm and gentle dog to pet and enjoy treats with, a senior dog would be better suited.

Training complete

Let’s address the elephant in the room. ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’

This is true if you consider new tricks like balancing or a trapeze act. Otherwise, we manage to train all our senior dogs, and they have no problems understanding us or adjusting to life at our shelters.

Most dogs already know the basics even before coming in, a clear sign that someone else has taught them at some point. But have you tried puppy training?

With a senior dog, explaining some of the rules they already know – like the difference between indoors and outdoors, your reactions to loud and incessant barking, jumping on people, and other basic rules – is enough. You can focus on bonding and enjoying each other’s company. And you can do that pretty soon, as training will not take up that much of your time and energy.

Bonding with a senior dog

Take the ‘Christmas puppy’ phenomenon. It does not get that much hate for no reason. Unfortunately, many first-time owners think they will do better with a dog who has been with them from the very beginning and whom they train themselves.

This is a legitimate expectation. Partly.

Bonding with a dog is not the same as bonding with people. A dog will immediately know whether it likes you or not, whether it wants to go home with you, and spend his life with you. There are no circumstantial considerations on his side, as in ‘I don’t act like I like this person, I might blow my only chance at having a home if I don’t fake some love.’

A dog will either like you or not, and you will know. Therefore, the bonding is more on your side than on that of your furry companion.

As already mentioned, the process with a senior dog is shorter. If you, too, feel the bond with this animal, you should be able to start enjoying the new life you make for the two of you much sooner, which is excellent news!

Addressing health issues

This might be the main deterrent for many people when looking to adopt a dog and faced with the option of taking home a senior dog. And no, it is not a minor issue, since health problems can cost new dog owners a lot.

However, most of the dogs in private shelters (especially ours) are periodically screened and checked by veterinarians, meaning that, whatever challenges they might face in the future, a medical professional already knows about them, has been screening and looking for solutions, and has even started a treatment to postpone discomfort or even eliminate some type of threat.
Therefore, while there might be health issues associated with old age, adopters of senior dogs from a responsible shelter should already be informed about them, their prognosis, and should have a manageable treatment plan, which is not something to sneeze at.

Add to this the fact that some shelters would be so keen on getting their senior residents into their forever homes that they might offer to continue covering health expenses themselves if you offer their dogs the experience of a loving family. That does sound like a good deal, right?

Trauma and working around bad habits

Yes, some dogs have suffered from a lot of trauma in their lives. But the thing about animals is that they don’t store trauma in their bodies as humans do. So, while they might shake in fear and run away to hide when a loud thunderstorm or fireworks are lighting up the sky outside, which might be something even non-traumatized dogs do, they still can overcome many of the bad things they have gone through.

The rehabilitation work done for them at the shelter is valuable in this sense, so it’s best to pick a shelter where dogs are treated so well by your fellow humans that they can cancel out all (or at least most of) the bad things they have been through before ending up there.

It is never in the shelter’s interest to force you to take home an incompatible dog. If you are not a match and cannot handle it, you will only end up sending the dog back, adding to his heartache of not being wanted and not having a home. This and having our dogs end up back on the streets are the main things we protect them against.

That said, there is little chance of you being paired with the wrong dog regarding information disclosure and help on our behalf. So, if you can find it in your heart to make room for a senior dog and do your best to make his remaining years golden and truly special for you as a family, it would be a fantastic gift for all those involved. Including for us, as we love to share in this special kind of joy and fulfilment.

The ways people refer to their dogs, like ‘man’s best friend’, ‘part of the family’, or ‘our furbaby’, are numerous. We all know how wonderful and fulfilling it is to have a pet dog, but some still hesitate to take the step. Others fear the responsibility and commitment involved, and some do not fully realize the blessing of having a furry companion.

And while it’s important to recognize the commitment and responsibility involved—since caring for a living being entirely dependent on you isn’t a small feat—the positive side is that you’ll likely fall in love with your dog and develop a relationship you’d never have expected.

A dog’s love never wavers

You will quickly learn why dogs are praised for their loyal, steadfast, and dependable natures. The fantastic thing about dogs is that they might need some time to learn and adapt to the house rules. But they will love you immediately, and no joy will be bigger for them than being in your company. Can you say that about many of the people in your life?

While their love is unconditional, you must work to create the best living environment for such a fantastic friend. Consistency, routine, and a predictable daily or weekly schedule will be highly appreciated. Dogs thrive in such instances. It will help them settle in sooner and be more aware of their role within the family.

As convinced as we are that your bond will be strong and healing, we have prepared answers to some of your questions about how to get along with your dog. You will soon know why getting a dog is seen as one of the best things you can do for your mental health.

1. Prepare to experience what it feels like to be the main character

Unlike friends or family who have their own agendas and lives to plan around, your four-legged friend cannot wait for the two of you to spend time together. Whether going for a walk, tagging along with you while you run errands, or cuddling in front of a TV for a comfortable night in. Whatever you choose, he is glad to be in your company. That kind of enthusiasm is rare among other people.

Main advantage: Those who find it hard to maintain low-effort relationships with friends and family finally get to feel like the main character and the top choice for someone. You might believe a dog can’t provide what a human can, but you’ll soon realize that the sincerity of their feelings surpasses the species difference.

2. The steadiest relationship you will ever be in

Once your dog learns your schedule and becomes part of your daily routine, you are set. You won’t have to constantly remind your dog about your hours, when you can or cannot do something, because your schedule will also be his. And he will know it and be there for every walk, every trip, every night in.

Main advantage: For those who need extra incentives to adhere to a schedule or cannot stay organized because they lack motivation, making sure their best friend is well-fed, well-taken care of, and happy in their home can be a compelling argument.

3. True connection (if you even know what that looks like anymore)

Do you know how, when you go to meet a friend at a restaurant or at their place, the phones come out and everybody periodically flips through messages, news, updates, notifications, likes, followed pages, reels, etc.? Do you feel like the time you are having with them is real? Is it truly used to form a connection? Most likely it is not.

With a dog, you will discover what a relationship is like when it does not revolve around the strength of the Wi-Fi.

Main argument: People have forgotten how to have genuine relationships with each other. Even if a few still know to put their phones away, they cannot connect with those who cannot, leaving them feeling stranded. A dog will more than savor the connection.

And if you are among the ones whose phone is glued to their palm, maybe this will be the much-needed incentive to change something about it.

4. You’ll never skip leg day

By leg day, we mean every possible occasion to go out for a walk. Studies show that people who get dogs and take them out on walks, even if they have a yard and lots of space to run around at home, get, on average, 200 – 300 more minutes of outdoor exercise per week than people who don’t.

This would be a great place to start for anyone looking for ways to move their bodies more. What is more, your dog will always need this exercise, so this will be a light workout you can no longer wiggle out of because of the weather, your mood, or the current state of the world.

Main advantage: If your dog’s physical well-being is essential to you, your own will also become a priority. It is a wonderful place to start for anyone with workout anxiety.

5. Learn to socialize

Dogs are social animals and must be socialized with other dogs and people. Except for traumatized dogs that need their time and space, most dogs will benefit from playing with others at the dog park. That is, unless you plan on getting zoomies with him, racing him to the stick, and chasing him in circles around the park.

The great news is that dogs are really quick to make friends. Some might be picky, but trust their instincts because they tell them exactly which dog is safe to play with and which is not. So please don’t push your dog into accepting to play with an animal they fear could hurt them.

Main advantage: While the dogs are playing, you can introduce yourself to the other dog owners in the park. Look at how easy it is for your dog to make friends, so take a page from his book and trust that most people are open to striking up an interesting conversation while waiting for their dogs to burn some of their energy.
After all, you are all dog owners, so you have that in common, and it is an endless subject for discussion.

6. The best partner for your mental health walks

These have started gaining more ground because walking while you think things over is known to help calm the nerves. Some people remain in their heads at the time, and others express their thoughts out loud, but they could all use some company, like a grounding reminder that they are not alone.

Unlike someone who might be tiresome and ask many questions, a dog will just be there. He can leave you to your thoughts or look at you every time you say something, but he will mainly be there, by your side, as you walk through your emotions.

Main advantage: A dog can hold up a mirror to your emotions. And the more you get attached to him and notice how your mood affects your friend, the more you learn to control yourself and mind your reactions.

Apart from children, no one else is so dependent on you to absorb your feelings the same way. But unlike children who might get overwhelmed, dogs have the capacity to help you overcome your challenging moments.

7. Become their everything and redefine your notion of self-worth

You cannot have low self-esteem when you love your dog and your dog loves you back. How could you? When you see all the trust and appreciation in his eyes? When you see how eager he is to greet you and how sad he is when you leave? How can you have low self-esteem when the creature you adore sees you in such a way?

Main advantage: Dogs help people struggling to find their purpose by motivating them. Nothing is a better reason to get up and get things done every morning than knowing that your best friend depends on you for everything, from basic things like keeping him alive, fed, and sheltered to things like feeling loved and cared for.

These are just seven of the main advantages of having a dog. But we are sure that once you take that big step, you can fill the list with your own discovered advantages.

Flora had no way of knowing the difference. All she knew was that she was alone, on a mountain, and completely at the mercy of whatever found her first.

Livestock guardian dogs are traditionally used throughout Romania, especially in forest and mountain areas, to protect sheep from attacks by bears and wolves. These powerful sheepdogs patrol their territory without any human command, driven by a fierce instinct to defend their herd from anything that comes near.

Toward smaller animals and other dogs, they show no mercy. They are territorial, powerful, and built to fight. A small dog caught in their path stands almost no chance.

And so, when we spotted Flora, abandoned on a Romanian mountain peak without any protection, we knew we had to step in and save her before it was too late.

In the area where we found her, livestock guardian dogs have already killed many small and medium-sized dogs, sometimes even when their owners were standing right there. Flora was in real danger. At any moment, a deadly encounter could happen. We rushed her to the shelter as fast as we could.

Flora is temporarily being fostered by a member of our team. She is safe and warm, no longer a stray and no longer in danger.

Soon, Flora will have a full vet check-up to make sure she is as healthy as she is happy. But right now, this tiny bundle of friendliness is simply enjoying what every dog deserves from day one. Safety. Love. And a full stomach.

Without supporters who help us find and rescue dogs like Flora before the worst happens, her story might have ended very differently on that mountain. Thank you for making rescues like hers possible.

Volunteering is one of the most wholesome ways to give back to the community without spending money. In today’s economy, it’s significant that people can find time from working multiple jobs to support causes they care about.

We want to begin by expressing our deep appreciation for everyone who offers help and donations in any form—whether money, time, expertise, or hard work. We salute all of you, from those who come to help feed hundreds of dogs to ambassadors who promote our cause and assist with fundraising, as well as those who use their skills to support us.

If this is your first time volunteering and you’re unsure where to begin or why it’s so important for the organizations you’re supporting, you’ve come to the right place. We can guide you through the reasons why it matters—and how you can make the most of this experience.

Why volunteering is so important

Charity organizations primarily fill the gaps left by governments in various areas of society. Whether it’s supporting the homeless, helping underprivileged children, engaging in environmental efforts, or caring for stray animals, there’s always work to be done in these domains, as no country has yet discovered a perfect solution to all its issues.

However, some countries with the highest success rates and lowest social problem scores are those where governments collaborate closely with organizations, highlighting the importance of public involvement.

Each of these organizations accomplishes great things and often surpasses what the state provides, such as the housing conditions in public versus private dog shelters. They rely on public support, including financial contributions, donations of products, volunteer time, and even their expertise in different areas.

Without these elements coming together to form each organization’s ecosystem, their work couldn’t be accomplished.

What does it mean to be a shelter volunteer?

This means you can begin working on tasks even while reading these lines, as there is always plenty to do. Every hour of everyone’s time is highly valued and appreciated.

While a private shelter relies on donations and sponsorships for funding, volunteering your time is a valuable way to contribute. Without volunteers, we might have funds but lack the people to assist with the dogs. Larger shelters do have permanent staff handling administration and rescue efforts, but they still require significant help at the shelter itself.

Caring for living creatures requires daily maintenance tasks that cannot be skipped. Volunteers play a vital role by helping to feed, clean, walk, and socialize the dogs, all essential parts of animal care.

If a capable and dedicated person handles these aspects, the rescue team can go on calls or patrols more frequently, allowing the administration team to focus on securing additional funds.
If you’re unable to perform physical work, assistance is still valuable, including administrative tasks. Those who cannot come in to help with maintenance can support other aspects of running the shelter.

Fundraising takes time, and shelters constantly need innovative ideas to generate funds. You might contribute by identifying potential sponsors, figuring out the best ways to contact them, assisting with presentation materials, handling follow-ups, and supporting the preparation of necessary documents.

The good news is that volunteering accommodates any skill level and learning willingness. If you have accounting skills or legal knowledge, you can assist with writing or event planning. There’s always enough work to contribute to the organization’s growth and help more animals.

Volunteering is also an excellent way to learn new skills or observe how things are done. You can shadow experienced individuals and assist with tasks, similar to an internship, but focused on a social purpose.

The most crucial aspect of volunteering

As you gain experience and information from this, the organization should also receive steady and reliable support. If you choose to volunteer and are willing to challenge yourself by stepping outside your comfort zone, that’s fantastic! That’s how personal growth happens. Otherwise, everyone contributes in whatever way they can.

To ensure your contribution is valuable to the organization, maintain consistency in your efforts. Since people adhere to schedules, volunteer work should be regarded as a resource that needs to be planned for.

If you commit to feeding the dogs at a specific time, your team can plan other tasks accordingly. Missing that scheduled time might result in the dogs going hungry or someone else having to handle your responsibilities alongside their own. Over time, consistently offering to help but then failing to show up can create more issues, and the times you fulfill your commitments do not compensate for the times you do not.

Be consistent by offering fewer commitments you can reliably fulfill, rather than making promises you might not meet on time.

Preparing to volunteer

We are happy to welcome you if you look forward to working with animals. Here are some important things to remember before your arrival.

Restrictions

While volunteers can participate in most shelter activities, certain tasks require trained professionals. Specifically, only permanent, properly trained staff are authorized to operate machinery when needed, and only staff specifically hired for particular roles can approve work-related issues.

Be prepared to learn the organization’s structure and the types of activities you can do alongside some of the permanent staff.

Training, health, and safety rules

Working with animals requires caution with dogs needing special care. If staff advise against approaching a shelter animal, it’s best to follow these instructions.

There is also training on animal care and, in exceptional cases, on staying safe and healthy while interacting with numerous animals.

Yelena Swiss volunteer visit September 2014

Emotional aspects

The dogs in our shelter are well cared for, but they often arrive on less than their best days. As a volunteer, you’ll encounter the tough realities of animal abandonment and abuse.

Although witnessing this can be difficult, we always remember that our actions after the rescue are what truly change the animal’s situation. Grieving and losing composure will not help.

Therefore, while respecting others’ emotions, we advise acting at the right moment by setting aside rage and outrage. After the dog feels safe in our shelter, we can work through trauma bonding and begin planning for adoption.

Volunteering is an excellent teaching opportunity.

This article aims to demonstrate how much your work can assist us. Volunteers also gain benefits from this experience, such as learning the importance of consistency and follow-through, working with reliable people, and in some cases, developing practical skills that they can use later.

We strongly encourage anyone to volunteer, mainly in places where they want to make a real difference. It will change you as an individual and the world you live in.

As dog rescuers, we encounter many traumatized dogs. Their suffering ranges from severe abuse and injuries caused by car accidents to being abandoned in distress by the roadside, kicked, malnourished, freezing in cold weather, lacking access to clean and safe drinking water, and more. And this only covers the physical aspects.

Psychologically, they are equally wounded. They may even carry lasting scars, making it difficult for them to be near men with blunt objects, children, loud noises like speeding cars, storms, or fireworks, as these can act as triggers.

But one thing never fails to impress us, even bringing us to tears: their incredible resilience when given the genuine opportunity to find and stay in their forever homes and families. Abused dogs requiring care and rehabilitation can make an astonishing turnaround and become unrecognizable within a caring family, once they feel safe, loved, and appreciated. This always impresses us.

From rescue to rehabilitation

Some believe that the primary goal is just saving these animals and allowing them to live on the streets, but in fact, rehabilitation is more effective in transforming most of their lives.

Sure, there are times when street dogs have not faced serious abuse. Sometimes, people might have briefly cared for them without formal adoption or taking them into their homes. While not perfect, this is still better than nothing and provides a foundation—allowing the dog to trust a new owner more easily and reducing triggers.

At ROLDA, we make sure that even these dogs receive some form of peace as part of their rehabilitation, primarily to prevent underlying conditions from surfacing when triggered by certain stimuli.

Once the dogs realize they are in our care and safe, they tend to become their best selves. While the very best version is usually reserved for their adoptive families, this environment helps their wonderful personalities shine through and facilitates their adoption.

Some animals require more complex rehabilitation, often involving significant medical intervention. Whether recovering from abuse or car accidents, they may need extensive surgery. Such procedures are challenging for anyone, especially when confined in a clinic, immobilized and in pain while under constant medical supervision.

It is important to recognize that, although we believe the actions are in the dog’s best interest, the poor dog—whose only experience with humans has likely been on the streets—may not fully understand what is happening, especially given the circumstances that necessitated medical intervention.

Despite the medical team’s kindness and hard work, we are still talking about a vulnerable animal that has been operated on, medicated, and feels confused and frightened by its new environment and unfamiliar people. This experience could be a source of additional trauma.

Then, the psychological trauma of homelessness remains. It is difficult to understand and accept that among us, there are people willing and ready to cause pain at any moment. Not only enduring suffering but also being seen suffering and then discarded along with that pain, as if it does not matter.

Overcoming trauma

Animals experience feelings and emotions. While these may not be identical to human emotions—otherwise, it would be difficult to understand how animals could be gentler than rational humans—such feelings are evidently present.

It never ceases to amaze us how these creatures can find it in their hearts to love humans again, trust them, entrust their lives to them, patiently await our understanding, and recover from serious injuries. Despite past abandonment, harm, and discard, they still show resilience and enthusiasm for sharing a home with two-legged companions.

Based on our years of working with stray dogs, it seems they always cling to the hope of one day forming a meaningful bond with a human who will give them a home. This is truly inspiring.

Love without grudges

Yes, we do work with a couple of dogs who are so traumatized that they press so hard against the walls of their kennels that we might as well present them as furry wallpaper. But you would be surprised to see these same dogs make a 180-degree turn and become loving and trusting companions.

When the tables are turned, people attacked by dogs often develop an aversion to the species as a whole, sometimes lasting for life unless they actively work to overcome the trauma. Conversely, there are dogs that have endured severe suffering at the hands of humans, yet still trust them again with their lives and well-being.

Patience in healing

Healing takes time, and acceptance and trust are intricate journeys. We’ve observed dogs face these hurdles, motivated by the hope of joining a loving family someday. The real question is whether people are willing to be just as patient, waiting for an injured, traumatized animal to recover, feel at ease, and trust enough to become part of the family in their preferred way.

Fortunately, most people willing to care for such animals demonstrate great patience and love, and we will always honor their commitment to providing these deserving animals with a loving home.

Resilience

One of the most heartbreaking cases at ROLDA involved a small dog once celebrated for its pedigree, pampered, and adored. It was attacked by a larger dog, suffering injuries that made saving its back paws impossible. The situation was already tragic, but it became even more upsetting when the former owners refused to take the injured dog back, as it no longer fit their idea of a beloved companion. Our hearts broke together with that of our vulnerable patient.

This is a story of resilience; otherwise, it wouldn’t be included in this chapter. The small dog adapted to her new condition, demonstrating resilience and even more character than the people who abandoned her.

Was she depressed? Of course. Did she mourn her owners more than her injuries? Possibly. Did she overcome these hardships and live her best, most adapted life? If only you could see it!

For every puppy advertised online or sitting in a pet shop window, there is often a hidden story behind the scenes.

A story of exhausted mothers, overcrowded cages, untreated illnesses, fear, and years spent producing litter after litter with no comfort, care, or love. This is the reality of puppy mills.

Recently, 41 more dogs were rescued from puppy mills, frightened, neglected, and desperately needing a second chance. Some had never touched grass. Some had never known kindness from a human hand. Many arrived terrified, matted, sick, or emotionally shut down after years of exploitation.

But rescue changes everything.

At ROLDA, every dog is given the chance to recover safely, receive medical care, and slowly learn what it means to be loved. And stories like Boo’s remind us why this work matters so much.

What are puppy mills?

Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities where profit comes before animal welfare. Dogs are often kept in cramped cages with little socialization, poor veterinary care, and constant breeding cycles. Female dogs are used repeatedly for reproduction until their bodies can no longer cope.

Many dogs rescued from puppy mills suffer from:
* Severe anxiety and fear
* Dental disease and untreated injuries
* Skin infections and parasites
* Malnutrition
* Trauma from years of confinement
* Difficulty trusting people

When these dogs are no longer considered “profitable,” they are frequently abandoned, discarded, or left in terrible conditions.

Ending puppy mills starts with awareness and action.

Boo’s Story: what a difference love makes

One of those dogs rescued from a horrific puppy mill situation was little Boo.
Boo had been kept in kennels alongside many other dogs and used for breeding. Like so many puppy mill survivors, he came from an environment where dogs were treated as production machines instead of living beings deserving care and compassion.

But rescue gave Boo a new beginning.

After receiving care, patience, and love, Boo’s life transformed completely. Today, he is safe in his forever home, happy, relaxed, and surrounded by the love he always deserved.

His transformation is a powerful reminder that every rescue matters.

Every dog deserves this ending

Behind every rescue is a dog waiting for safety, healing, and hope. The 41 dogs recently saved from puppy mills are now beginning that journey. Some will need medical treatment. Some will need months to recover emotionally. All of them need patience, security, and compassion.

And with support from people who care, more dogs like Boo can leave cruelty behind forever.

Together, we can help end puppy mills and give every rescued dog the chance to finally experience love.

By Dana Costin, founder of ROLDA

I’ve just returned from another journey into eastern Ukraine, near the Donbas front line, an area where the war never really recedes, it only pauses.

When people imagine animal evacuations in a war zone, they often picture urgency and spectacle: shattered buildings, animals pulled from debris, vans racing against time. That does happen.
But those are not the moments that stay with me.

What lingers are the quiet exchanges, the ones that take place in doorways, in silence, before the engine starts.

One woman, elderly and unsteady on her feet, met us at her threshold. Before letting go of her dog, she broke off a piece of bread from the small loaf she had left and pressed it into his mouth. Then she bent down, whispering something I couldn’t hear. It lasted only seconds. She handed us the lead, turned away, and walked back inside. I never learned her words. I already understood them.

Another man, retired, stood waiting with his large female dog. She had been sedated to make the journey possible. She was heavy, and he was not young. When we offered to help, he shook his head. Carefully, slowly, he lifted her himself, carried her to the van, and placed her into the crate. He adjusted her position, smoothed her fur, and lingered there for a moment before stepping back. Then he left.

We also pulled a mother dog and her eleven newborn puppies from underneath an apartment building that was close to collapse. The puppies were unaware of the danger surrounding them. Their mother was not. Her body shook with every distant blast she heard.

This is what an evacuation really looks like.

It’s never only about animals

These missions don’t transport animals alone. Often, they are the last chance out for people too, civilians who waited until there was almost nothing left, then finally asked for help. If there’s room, we take them.

There’s much else that happens beyond what’s visible. We recover animals whose owners have died and who would otherwise be left behind. We act as the final link in a chain for other animal welfare groups that are not allowed so close to the front, moving animals they’ve secured to safer zones. And we reunite families with their pets after displacement, transporting animals to wherever their people have managed to relocate.

In the chaos of war, keeping that bond intact matters more than most realize. A family that has lost everything else should not also lose the last living connection to home if it can be prevented.

These evacuations do more than save individual lives. They preserve family units, human and animal, when war threatens to break them apart entirely.

What this work demands

People often say this kind of work requires heart. It does. But heart alone would not keep anyone alive out there.

What’s required is discipline, preparation, and the kind of judgment that only comes from experience. Each mission demands planning that resembles military logistics. Routes change constantly. Conditions shift without warning. There is no formal training that prepares you for being targeted by drones, yet the team I work with has survived three such attacks in recent months.
Skill is not optional. Neither is calm.

On this most recent mission, we evacuated 36 animals:
• 10 adult dogs
• 13 puppies
• 9 cats
• 4 kittens

There was one more, a large dog with eight puppies,who could not be taken that day because the vehicle was already full.
Ruslan will return for them.

He never leaves any animal behind.