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Styopa (Stephen)’s Crown
Styopa’s eye could not be saved Meet Styopa, whose name means “crown” — and he’s proven himself worthy of it. When a car struck Styopa, the impact was devastating. Frightened, injured, and losing his eye, he tumbled into a nearby hole where most would have given up hope. But despite not being able to jump ... Blog
Barsik’s Breakthrough: When Love Straightens What Pain Has Twisted
Barsik’s head was painfully locked to one side Picture a cat unable to look straight ahead — whose world had become permanently tilted to one side. This was how animal rescuer Lyudmila first encountered the stray cat Barsik on the streets of Ukraine, and the sight broke her heart. Barsik’s head was locked in an ... Barsik’s Breakthrough: When Love Straightens What Pain Has Twisted
When Survival is a Daily Battle: Xena’s Story
In the shadows of an old Romanian churchyard, a tiny cat barely out of kittenhood was fighting for her life—and the lives of her unborn babies. At just one year old, Xena was far too young to be facing motherhood, but the harsh reality of street life doesn’t wait for cats to be ready. An ... When Survival is a Daily Battle: Xena’s Story
Left Behind: The hidden underbelly crisis of strays in Ukraine and Romania
On a quiet road in Ukraine, a dog lay trembling in the dirt. Her leg was bent at an unnatural angle. She had likely been hit by a car. No collar, no identification, and no one nearby to help. Her name is Hanna, and her story is heartbreakingly common across Eastern Europe right now. When ... Left Behind: The hidden underbelly crisis of strays in Ukraine and Romania
Odin’s Journey of Survival After a Vicious Dog attack
Stray cats have the unique ability to make almost anywhere their home. They fight fiercely for their independence and maintain that typical standoffish cat behavior; but the harsh reality is that many would not survive without help. Every day, these resilient animals face overwhelming challenges – finding food to fill their rumbling stomachs, warding off ... Odin’s Journey of Survival After a Vicious Dog attack
What does being a no-kill shelter mean, in practice, to a cat?
We are occasionally asked what a no-kill shelter is. This story is a very recent example of a no-kill policy in action, to help explain how it works and why it is crucial. One of our sister rescue shelters, the Great Catsby, has been caring for a beautiful little white female cat called Cris since ... What does being a no-kill shelter mean, in practice, to a cat?
Marik’s story demonstrates how Ukrainian soldiers fight to defend those they love
Marik is a blind, stray dog in Ukraine. As such, his chances of surviving long were tiny. Life can be tough for anyone who is blind. Let alone a stray dog. Marik would not have lasted long, given the increased competition for scarce food and water as a stray and the added risk of being ... Marik’s story demonstrates how Ukrainian soldiers fight to defend those they love
Winnie, the tiny stray cat who surprised us all
Sterilization programs are one of the surest, most efficient ways of managing strays in the long term. As the number of homeless animals continues to rise, the challenge of protecting them becomes even more urgent. But, finding time to sterilize is still a priority. Winnie was a stray, taken to be sterilized at ROLDA partner ... Winnie, the tiny stray cat who surprised us all
Ada’s road to recovery: giving her a second chance to walk
She may never walk properly again. But if that’s the case, we will know we tried everything possible to help her first. Only a few seconds of bad luck means Ada faces the harsh possibility of never being able to walk again. More frequently than ever, we help dogs hit by cars. Some sustain only ... Ada’s road to recovery: giving her a second chance to walk
Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety
Sadly, it is not uncommon for animals to face human cruelty and brutality. It is unimaginable how heartless people can be. ROLDA has helped so many animals with horrible pasts. We have helped cats thrown from windows and dogs chained outside in the cold, hungry for days on end. We have helped abused animals kicked ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety
Finding light in darkness: Lew’s path to a new life
Romania is home to over a million stray animals. While many locals do their best to care for the strays in their neighbourhoods—especially the smallest and most vulnerable—not every animal is lucky enough to find kindness. Lew, a tiny kitten just three or four months old, was one of the fortunate ones. Despite her playful ... Finding light in darkness: Lew’s path to a new life
Hope Amidst the Chaos: A Ukrainian Dog’s Journey to Healing
In a country where the sound of missiles, gunshots and sirens has become as common as birdsong, where streets bear the scars of conflict, and where survival often hinges on split-second decisions, there are still those who refuse to let compassion become a casualty of war. This is the story of Nadya, a dog whose ... Hope Amidst the Chaos: A Ukrainian Dog’s Journey to Healing
A Duchess Among the Ruins: One Cat’s Journey from Street Survivor to Beloved Fighter
In the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while most were fleeing the sounds of distant artillery and air raid sirens, Madalina made a choice that would change not only her life but the lives of countless forgotten felines in her war-torn city. Among these souls was a street cat who would come to ... A Duchess Among the Ruins: One Cat’s Journey from Street Survivor to Beloved Fighter
From Despair to Hope: Sarah’s Incredible Journey of Survival
Sarah’s journey is heartbreaking and yet inspiring. First, the heartbreak…Imagine being tossed out of the window of a moving vehicle. The instant spike of fear you would feel as it happened, the overwhelming building pain in the seconds after you hit the ground. The open wounds that would cover your body. That is what poor ... From Despair to Hope: Sarah’s Incredible Journey of Survival
Bibi’s Battle Against Liver and Kidney Failure
An inflamed and bleeding mouth. Kidney failure. Liver failure. Bibi, the little stray kitten, was suffering from all. When our friends at the Great Catsby in Romania found Bibi, they immediately knew they needed to help her. The Great Catsby is one of the shelters ROLDA is fortunate enough to support doing great work. Due ... Bibi’s Battle Against Liver and Kidney Failure
Stranded: Bridge’s encounter with the ROLDA Rescue Team
BOOM. A terrified dog huddles in the shadows, watching and hearing Russian missiles explode around him. BOOM. Our terrified dog hears people shouting and screaming as flames fill his surroundings and dark shadows flee for safety all around. BOOM. Our terrified dog turns to run as the foundation of his home, just meters away, is ... Stranded: Bridge’s encounter with the ROLDA Rescue Team
The blind kitten who chooses love
Thousands of stray cats live on the streets of Romania. No love or joy for them. Survival is all they can afford to think about. Street dogs chase them for the tiniest scrap of food found in the gutter. Toxic, bacteria-filled environments and harsh weather conditions cause disease and sickness to threaten their fragile bodies. ... The blind kitten who chooses love
The story of Doina
Even though Doina was someone’s pet, she was never given a name. It was us who named her Doina when her family brought her to us after their other dog (who is more than twice her size) bit off her left eye.
Help for Chick
Chick was found not far from our shelter. She was extremely dehydrated and full of parasites. Flies were feeding on her bloody, cracked skin caused by repeated biting and scratching. She had chewed through most of her fur, leaving her damaged skin exposed to horrible infections which, sadly, had already begun to consume her from the outside in.
Help for Hera
Hera was found on the streets. Her entire body was covered in tar that had matted her fur and even oozed deep to her skin. We can’t imagine the pain she had suffered…well, to be honest, we don’t want to imagine.
Help for Buck
BUCK was rescued from the street after being hit by speeding a car. We were contacted by an individual who had witnessed the horrible collision. Moments later, our Rescue Team arrived at the scene to transport Buck to our clinic.
Help for Bar
BAR was discovered behind a bush whimpering softly and breathing erratically as if he no longer had the strength or the will to communicate his agony to the world…as if he literally chose this spot to spend his dying days…alone, as if not to disturb the world around him.
Say a prayer for puppies
My name is Laika, and I am a Romanian girl. I am prettier and younger than I look. But too many litters of little ones have aged me. Last year, there were four puppies, and now there are 6 more but only 2 still alive. I love my children, but I cannot provide for them.
The story of Cookie
Cookie spent years in the ROLDA shelter and nobody wanted to adopt him. He got used to sheltering routine and survived, exactly like he did on the streets before we rescue him. Cookie is a senior dog and with a shelter full of cute pups, not many people give a chance to a senior. But Avril did.
Rescue Ioana
If this dog could speak, she would say: “It’s been over 6 months since I couldn’t properly eat because I can’t close my mouth.” I can speak but I would prefer not to, especially when I have to tell you her story. However, if this dog survived for 6 months like that, I must find the energy to speak up for her. Even if it's so painful!
