Once a dog becomes a part of your life, feeding them may appear straightforward—simply offer food twice daily, in moderate amounts. To ensure the well-being and extended lifespan of your dog, there are other aspects to take into consideration apart from merely feeding them. Canines have developed the ability to live harmoniously with humans, yet their nutritional requirements exhibit considerable variation according to breed, age, size, and individual health conditions. It is not as simple as assuming that all dogs have identical dietary needs.

With the progression of our knowledge regarding canine health, our approach to their nourishment has also developed. Nowadays, many dog owners are eager to provide proper nourishment to promote a lengthy, joyful, and robust life for their beloved pets. We no longer consider table scraps as the norm. We should tailor dog food to each breed’s specific needs, not one-size-fits-all.

Where Should You Begin?

For those who have recently become dog owners, the initial action to take is to schedule a visit with a veterinarian. Depending on where you got your dog, you might have some info about their age, breed, how big they’ll get, and any health problems. Don’t forget to think about these factors when planning their diet.

Some people just give their dogs whatever food they can find. This might work, but it could cause health problems later. It’s crucial to select the right dog food for each life stage because their nutritional needs change as they grow. Stray dogs survive by scavenging, while domesticated dogs have more complex nutritional needs because they rely on us for food.

Let’s see how different things affect what food is best for your dog.

Age
Dogs need different food as they get older. Puppies need different things than adult or senior dogs. This might seem obvious, but it’s important to know why these differences are important.

Puppy Nutrition
Puppies undergo a period of rapid growth, which is the most significant in their lives. Small breeds typically achieve approximately 80% of their adult size between the ages of six to nine months. Medium-sized breeds may require up to 12 months, while large breeds may need up to 18 months. Their dietary intake should be conducive to the development of muscles, formation of bones, and proper functioning of organs.

A healthy diet for puppies entails the provision of essential minerals, protein, and high-quality fats. Their bones need phosphorus and calcium, their blood needs iron, and their eyes and brain need omega-3s. Homemade food for your puppy is great, but they might need some extra nutrients.

Since puppies have small tummies, they should eat small meals often—around four to six times a day. Ask your vet to help you find the right quantities.

Adult Dog Nutrition
Once your dog is fully grown, the focus shifts to maintaining their diet. The priority changes from growth to the maintenance of muscle mass, a fortified immune system, and organ function. Adult dogs typically require a diet containing approximately 5% fat, 18% protein, and a balanced combination of vitamins, minerals, and omega-6 fatty acids, which may vary depending on their size, breed, and activity level. When you are cooking meals at home, change the supplements based on your dog’s changing needs as they age.

Adult dogs generally eat two or three times a day. It’s a good idea to discuss the appropriate portion size with your vet.

Senior Dog Nutrition
As dogs age, their nutritional needs change once again. Senior dogs require a diet that supports their immune system more than their energy levels to help prevent age-related diseases and weight gain. For known breeds, people usually consider dogs as seniors when they reach 75% of their expected lifespan. If you lack certainty about your dog’s breed or age, your veterinarian can provide guidance in identifying the onset of their senior years.

Signs of aging are rough fur, less energy, and joint or dental problems. Dogs don’t need as many calories now to avoid weight gain and joint problems. They should eat enough protein to keep their muscles strong, more fibre for good digestion, antioxidants to boost their immune system, omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation, and glucosamine for healthy cartilage and heart.

Health Conditions
Besides age-related needs, dogs may have specific dietary requirements based on their health conditions. For example, if a dog is spayed or neutered, it will affect their metabolism, resulting in a potential need for fewer calories. Any medical condition, regardless of whether it involves postoperative recovery, allergic reactions, or chronic management, can affect your dog’s dietary requirements. Prioritise seeking advice from your veterinarian concerning any necessary dietary alterations.

Size and Breed
Ensuring that dogs receive quality food is essential, and it is important to consider their size and breed, as these factors significantly affect their unique dietary requirements. As an example, it is essential to regulate carefully the rapid growth of all puppies. To prevent joint problems, it is important to regulate the energy intake of large breed puppies. Smaller breeds have different nutrient requirements that need to be balanced accordingly.

Activity Level
The activity level of a dog also plays a role in determining its nutritional requirements. Breeds with high activity levels, such as Australian Border Collies, possess distinct needs compared to less active breeds, like Basset Hounds. Among dogs of the same breed, watching the energy levels of your dog is essential. Consulting your veterinarian is crucial to ensure that you avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.

Treats and Human Food
Rewarding dogs with treats from your plate isn’t a good idea, even though they are known for their begging. By refraining from feeding your dog directly from your plate, you can teach them to avoid begging. If you give in from time to time, they will continue their efforts, fully aware that begging eventually pays off.

It’s fine to treat your dog to healthy snacks like fruits and veggies but check with your vet. It is advisable to limit the provision of snacks to your dog throughout the day, as the accumulated calories can become significant.

Foods to Avoid
While dogs share the omnivorous diet characteristic of humans, certain human foods pose risks to their well-being. Certain types of food can have a toxic effect on dogs, such as:
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Garlic
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits
• Foods with artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol
• Macadamia nuts
• Grapes and raisins
• Alcohol
• Milk
• Raw eggs
• Raw or smoked fish
• Ice cream
• Avocados
• Chicken bones
• Liver
• Raw dough

Seek guidance from your vet to ensure the food your dog consumes is safe. Regular veterinary examinations and ongoing conversations about nutritional habits can contribute to the long-term health and happiness of your dog. Once a routine is established, ensuring proper nourishment for your dog becomes instinctive, thereby fostering a lasting and blissful companionship.

A few days ago, I returned from another trip to the Ukraine. As you read this, please understand that this isn’t a corporate report filled with numbers and statistics (though we can provide those), but something written from the heart—my heart.

I had a goal, to deliver food to the animal centre opened by Olena in Mykolaiv, and a place where I could meet the vulnerable animals with special needs, animals we at ROLDA helped provide aid for, many injuries I had seen only from photographs but now I get to see the recovery myself in person.

I take these journeys often, and part of the journey is delayed at customs.
I came prepared with food and water, knowing customs delays are common. I brought my own provisions to avoid unnecessary stops along the way.

I crossed the Danube at Isaccea and headed to the Palanka checkpoint, where they checked the car again. The next military checkpoint was in Odessa, where sirens repeatedly warned of an air attack. I watched how people behaved, and it’s incredible how war has changed them. Two years ago, at the start of the war, the roads were empty, with hardly any cars or people. Now, people ignore the siren warnings; they park their cars, go shopping, eat at restaurants, walk their dogs, and visit the beaches. They have adapted to living with the war in their daily lives in a way that you must see to truly understand.

The road from Odesa to Mykolaiv had several military checkpoints. The road became very bumpy because of the heavy trucks and military vehicles, although it wasn’t bombed. You could see military defense systems along the road, in the fields, and in the water. The rough roads and chaotic traffic reminded me of home. The round trip was approximately 1000 km.
When I arrived, Olena and her team welcomed me with such warmth and love. Firstly, we unloaded all the food from my car, and then Olena proudly showed me around the center.
As Olena doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Ukrainian, we both decided to use a translation app on our phones. She would speak on her phone, and the app translated her words into English for me to read or hear. I would then type my responses, which the app translated back into Ukrainian. Although this took a little while, it allowed us to communicate well together.

At one point, I saw a coin on the floor. I placed it in Olena’s hand and told her something she would likely never forget: “Back home, I was told that every time you find a coin, you should pick it up because if it’s in your way, it means that someone from Heaven is thinking of you.” I didn’t know her story then, but after learning about her life, I knew the coin held significant meaning for her.

Olena started her organization in memory of her lost family. Her husband died unexpectedly in 2014, leaving her without the will to live. Her grandmother and the animals she rescued gave her life new meaning. Then sadly, she recently lost her grandmother, and now the animals are all she has. Her animal centre is an old building with a basement converted into a small shelter for dogs and cats, a storage room, and two small spaces—one for staff and one for their quarantine area. Despite the challenges of inconsistent water and electricity, Olena does whatever she can to ensure the animals in her care have a future.

As part of ROLDA’s support for #UkraineAnimals, we provide ongoing grants to rescuers and organizations who we partner with. We have supported Olena and learned about Leo, a tomcat, and Lucky, who is a special dog, both of whom we’ve sent money for in the past. It was moving in an incredible way to finally see and interact with them. Lucky was left paralyzed after being hit by a car. Animals with special needs require dedicated care, which is difficult to provide during wartime. Making the decision to put a dog to sleep is challenging, but it should always be guided by what is best for the animal’s well-being. Seeing Lucky’s joy and smile, I understood why Olena found it hard to make that decision.

Leo, the rescued tomcat, is recovering after almost losing his life. Given these extraordinary circumstances, we should avoid judgment and make sure to ideally isolate and quarantine animals. In normal times, I would hope for Olena to have a shelter where animals could enjoy sunlight, fresh air, and spacious enclosures. Quarantine areas should have separate areas for dogs and cats, and good ventilation to help reduce the risk of spreading disease. Animals with special needs deserve a chance to thrive when given appropriate medical care and attention.

I was thrilled when Olena suggested I could walk Lucky. It was heartwarming to see how happy he was. Despite the hot day making him tired, he kept moving with his cart, only pausing briefly for a hug.

Leaving the center and saying goodbye to Lucky was bittersweet. Olena and her team graciously showed me around their town, or what remained of it. Rockets damaged many buildings, affecting not just structures but families and lives. In the central plaza, the Ukrainian people displayed captured Russian tanks and vehicles to lift their spirits.
Despite warnings about floating mines, people continued their lives by the river, at the beach, and in the water.

Before I left, Olena showed me the coin I had given her when I arrived and said she would cherish it always. It’s remarkable how we create machines to destroy each other and yet find small ways, like the meaning of a coin, to keep hope alive. Every trip to Ukraine reveals something new. Though I wasn’t near the battle zone this time, I met people dedicated to a cause I deeply care about: animals.

Fundraising with one eye smiling and one eye crying

An honest, raw and emotional update from ROLDA Founder Dana Costin
The war’s horror bled across borders, and as ROLDA stood witness to this unfathomable suffering, like many shocked others, we dashed to offer hope amidst the chaos. We share our soil with Ukraine – they are our brethren in distress, a mere heartbeat away from our base in Galati, Romania.

In 2022, a torrent of desperate souls surged through Poland and Romania, seeking refuge from their ravaged homeland. You could see in their eyes the anguish of being separated from their cherished animals, who were often left to fend for themselves in the onslaught.

Our small team reached out at the border, distributing leaflets translated into Ukrainian to help refugees whose companions bore paws and claws to get veterinary assistance if they needed it.

When the exodus diminished, we continued to help Ukrainians by providing repeated grants to those brave rescuers who chose not to flee but to stay home and help animals amidst the ruins, bombs and bullets.

The rescuers – heroes cloaked in humility – face a daily gauntlet of extreme poverty, makeshift shelters teeming with the lost and the wounded, and a dearth of necessities. Yet, their spirits remain unbroken.

Two years have etched deep lines of worry on my ROLDA Rescue Team’s faces, but what they endure pales in comparison to the tribulations faced by our Ukrainian allies. Overwhelmed yet undeterred, they’re tirelessly expanding a lifeline that stretches across a nation scarred by conflict. And I am immensely proud of them for it.

Of course, none of this would be possible without you and other caring animal lovers who have risen to the challenge of helping to fund this urgent, essential work. Choosing and sharing a glimpse of the stories they are exposed to is an emotionally draining role for my ROLDA team, but it is an essential one to draw attention to the suffering of abandoned dogs and cats. And, thankfully, what can be done to help them.

For full transparency, ROLDA started creating monthly reports showing what we do in Ukraine, whom we are helping, and where. The ROLDA annual report summarises the entire activity for the past year and highlights the most important moments.

Our social media, website, and email updates always present facts, frequent updates, and examples to explain what ROLDA is doing. As a result, the amazing support from the international community enables us to continue assisting over 40 brave animal rescuers all over Ukraine.

Recently, we managed to send a new grant to Aleksey in Kherson, Ukraine. I met Aleksey in person last fall during my brief visit to Ukraine. We travelled together (accompanied by a soldier) in the “grey zone” where many animals were trapped (abandoned, scared, hiding) in houses destroyed by bombs and drones. Land mines make it very dangerous to move around villages here.

I didn’t think travelling to Ukraine would affect me as much as it did. I had sleepless nights thinking of the senseless harm people can inflict on each other and animals. In almost 20 years of running ROLDA, I have seen a lot of shocking injuries and behaviour, but the painfully hard reality which I noticed with my own eyes in Ukraine and which I will never forget.

The moment Aleksey pleaded for anti-mine gear, my world stood still. The sheer absurdity of such a need in a mission to save abandoned souls sent a shiver through my core.

One can understand how the Ukrainian situation worsened by observing how the Ukrainians’ requests to ROLDA changed over time. They went from asking for food to medical equipment and then heavy anti-mine equipment that would enable people to continue going into war zones to rescue dogs and cats. This is a dramatic change.

During my visit to Kherson, I saw various signs warning people about mined areas. I remember taking photos sitting near these signs. We all smiled and kept calm, but I know each of us had a lot on our minds behind those smiles.

During my visit to Ukraine, I was most shocked by people’s adaptability and how life goes on while rockets fly above their heads and houses. While their lives were falling apart, their families were crumbling. I met people showing me their pets in the most natural way while the noise of rockets hitting targets didn’t disturb anyone anymore.

The news of Aleksey’s shooting and the loss of one of his brave drivers is a stark reminder of the high stakes faced by those who dare to care in Ukraine. And when caring people like yourself recognise their bravery and offer financial support, the ROLDA Rescue Team is also inspired to do everything possible.

When we delivered aid to Aleksey to acquire the anti-mine equipment, one of my eyes smiled, knowing that fulfilling his wish would help many more animals. But my other eye cried, remembering my memories from Ukraine and understanding that, now, the situation is much worse.

Some people might be exhausted from hearing about Ukraine and choose to look the other way. But we passed a point of no return when we met and became allies with the Ukrainian animal rescuers who remained there—losing family members or their houses, often living in ruins without windows, heating, or flowing water.

Some voices say that Ukraine might lose the war and the consequences will be terrible. All I know is that right now, some brave souls dress in anti-mine equipment and rescue terrified animals from the most dangerous war zones.

No natural disaster, earthquake, or tsunami caused this situation to happen. What people do to each other and to what surrounds them is what causes this situation to happen.

This latest grant request for Aleksey was heartbreaking for me to fund. My heart cries for Ukraine and their animals. I hope that this nightmare will be over soon.

If you would like to help the abandoned, injured and terrified dogs and cats in Ukraine, please donate to ROLDA or consider becoming a monthly supporter. Just $5 from 80 monthly donors allows us to provide 960 highly nutritious food portions.

Thank you for letting me share this heartfelt update with you. I appreciate your taking the time to read it.

I got two NP’s during my trip to Ukraine. Can you guess which one I took back with me home?

There are a few reasons why I decided to visit Ukraine: I got the feeling that our international supporters were getting bored with this subject, sometimes get skeptical, and many living in West Europe are getting frustrated to see a large number of expensive cars (over 100k euro each) with Ukrainian plates, driven by perfectly healthy guys who could stay to defend their country. I wanted to see the war zone with my own eyes, to understand what makes the rest of the people stay and defend their land; I also wanted to meet some of the rescuers whom we have helped since this unfair war started.

No good deed remains unpunished, it is said.

Customs seem to be all the same, no matter the country. After spending 2 hours crossing Rep Moldova, I spent 2 more hours to exit it to Ukraine because the broker made a typo mistake and added an E to my license plate number, which triggered the attention of customs, phone calls, email exchanges …and me waiting. I needed to fill out tons of papers, including handwriting a declaration that the items I was transiting through Moldova to Ukraine would not be unloaded and sold there. A true nightmare, which I had expected – and which sadly, discourages others who genuinely wish to fill their cars with products bought with their own money to drive and deliver to people who need help in Ukraine.

The fact is I stayed in customs more than I actually drove. At midnight, after another (almost) 5 hours at the checkpoint in Ukraine territory I was allowed to continue my journey. You will not believe it but the reason why they kept me in Customs for 5 (FIVE very long) hours was that they kept asking for an original paper which my contact from Ukraine had sent by phone. The Xerox copy was black and white, but on the phone, the stamp was blue, so they said they wanted to see it blue … and in the end, I was followed by two customs people to the nearest broker office (we walked like 200m) and he made a color copy which showed the blue stamp, which was called the original. Looking back, I believe they only wanted to keep me there, like a fool.

The problem was that when I finally could leave, the curfew had started in Ukraine (at midnight) and to continue to drive you need a green pass, which I didn’t have. Not having it means you need to pull over and stay until 5:00 am when you can continue the journey. I was stopped a dozen times by military groups who asked me to stop, and every time I begged them to let me travel to the hotel in Odessa …they didn’t know English, so we communicated by a phone application that translates what people speak into it. Finally, around 2 a.m. I checked into a hotel in Odessa which also has a shelter but that night, the sky was clear and I heard no bombs. In the morning, I started driving to the meeting point for Aleksey and his team.

Aleksey runs the Homeless World organization which helps people and their pets. He also has a center to rehabilitate dogs and some areas built for wildlife rescue. Aleksey and his team save injured animals from the front line and also evacuate animals from occupied or destroyed territories. When the dam was destroyed, the Homeless World team moved from the Kyiv area to Kherson to save animals in danger of dying in the waters and he remains there because Kherson is a hot spot partially occupied by the enemies.

I passed Odessa city which doesn’t seem affected by bombs but has a lot of military activity. I met Aleksey and his colleague Toni who is only 18 years old and has served in the army since January this year. Together, we passed Mykolaiv (which doesn’t seem touched by bombs, except some broken windows of a building at the edge of the city) and headed to Kherson.

As you drive to Kherson, the marks of the war get more and more visible. Houses have a blue cover instead of a roof, holes in the walls, buildings including gas stations burnt or completely destroyed, and cars are burnt. In between all this destruction, people defy this décor and continue with their lives. We stopped for a quick coffee break and I asked Aleksey where we were going to unload the items filled in my car. He laughed and replied: In Hell.

After a few more military checks, we reached a warehouse in a village which I was not allowed to film. I stepped out of the car and saw a dog hiding in the shadows under a car. I heard birds singing. The Ukrainian villages are similar to Romanian ones, people living there seem trapped in time. We visited a family who has an epileptic dog who has more seizures when the bomb noise gets stronger, also 2 cats who need sterilization, 3 other dogs, one of whom is very old, and another completely blind, which lives in a separate enclosure.

Aleksey delivers food to people who own pets and finds solutions to evacuate them when needed. He also hopes to be able to sterilize dogs and cats in this region, but every 300 animals costs 15000 USD (only for surgery and medicines) which shocked me because these are the prices we pay here including recovery after surgery. After meeting some pet owners from the village, I kept expecting to go to Hell as Aleksey had said.

From the beginning, I refused to wear a helmet or bulletproof vest. I had different reasons but also agreed with what they explained to me. Toni said that a vest without a helmet is kind of stupid because your head is an important asset too, and you don’t want to be hurt by bullets. In case we were bombarded, I was quickly instructed (using the phone application that translates words) to cover my head with my arms and duck down into some ditches in the ground, which can be observed along the road. I had a walkie-talkie to use if needed and was asked to switch phones off.

In the case of bombing or a sniper shoot, no vest or helmet will protect me, I was told. Going to the next village, located at the edge of the gray zone (the so-called no man’s land between the Ukrainian front and Russian-occupied territories) I kept hearing in the walkie-talkie: don’t stop, don’t stop …and I was busy avoiding the small and large holes made by bombs not long ago in the road.

There was no shooting while I was driving. We reached another warehouse where we unloaded the canned food for people and the dry food for animals, plus some medicines. This is the warehouse of collaborationists. They run a small shop located close to the villas of the former president of Ukraine, Yanukovych, a member of the pro-Russian party.

The villas were used for wild parties and obviously would have many stories to tell. When the dam was destroyed, the whole valley where these (and other houses) are located, was flooded.

Aleksey drives the ambulance around and rescues animals on the front line or during flooding. Despite two of his drivers previously being shot/killed by snipers, they managed to later make a sort of agreement to cease fire for men from his team who don’t carry weapons and aggressive badges (as they called them), but a medical red badge (which both Aleksey and Toni had when we walk around) which means they are medical staff who go to rescue and not kill.

I was told that Kherson is full of collaborationists and many people are pro-Russians there. After unloading supplies, we moved 1 km further in the gray zone where I saw 2 different signs of landmines and Toni said that if we walked further, we should stay 5m away from each other in case one exploded. I asked Toni (who speaks some English) if since he is in the army, he ever shot to kill someone. He hesitated and then replied that not in the area where we were. He said that since we stopped the car, stepped down and walked, we were in sight of both Russian and Ukrainian snipers but we were safe because they wore the red badge.

Toni said that they take each new day as it comes and there are many positive and negative aspects to this and naturally, I asked what the positive aspects were because I looked around in that particular spot, expecting to see the sniper in a tree or somewhere …but couldn’t see him or imagine anything positive. And then he told me that saving lives is what keeps him going. At the age of 18, being a soldier, he believes that saving what war destroys is the positive part of his mission. Amazing, isn’t it?

So let’s return to the beginning of my story “The two NPs I got during my trip in Ukraine” are: the first dog I held in my arms there, a lovely black puppy that was loaded into the ambulance minutes later …and a piece of bomb which has two letters on it an N and a P. Remember the house of collaborationists I mentioned above? It was damaged by a bomb and near it, there was a warehouse completely destroyed. A senior German shepherd called Baghera is the guardian of those ruins. The house owner showed me pieces of bombs that caused the destruction and offered me one – I didn’t know if to accept the gift or not. Before leaving, I decided to take that piece and on it, I noticed the letters NP. I was told this is the tail section of an aerial bomb.

The sound of bombs I heard during the few hours I spent there, watching the destruction people cause to other people is unforgettable. Every time a bomb explodes, it sounds like fireworks on New Year, but one a time and stronger. The piece I held made the same sound before falling near Baghera’s warehouse.

Remember I mentioned some birds singing? When they feel the bomb, they start flying randomly, desperate until it is quiet again. You know the bomb missed its target/you as soon as it is silent again… and you look around but what you see it’s not Hell – it’s life and hope.

Can I challenge you with a question? Which NP of the two, do you think I brought home?

A volunteer profile of Lisa and why she needs us to save more dogs.

ROLDA Sverige was founded in 2014 by Lisa, and a group of volunteers dedicated to helping homeless animals live better.

The main goals of this association are to help ROLDA Romania:
● Fundraise to keep our shelters functional
● Rehome dogs from our shelters in Sweden

We have been working with dogs in Romania for almost 20 years. We have saved dogs of all breeds, colors, and sizes. Each with their unique personality that leaves a lasting impression on us all.

Lisa and her team visit us regularly to meet and evaluate our dogs so we can post an accurate adoption profile on our web page. Of course, there is always some degree of unpredictability when assessing a dog. Still, we spend a lot of time with each of them to thoroughly evaluate their behaviour while interacting with humans.

Some people believe they can care for more than one dog at a time, some believe they know everything about dogs and don’t need guidance, and others wish to rescue or adopt a dog because it’s the right thing to do. But as kind and noble as rescuing or adopting a dog is, it’s critical to do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions about the dog (when possible, of course) because they may have experienced a difficult past that can make them fearful or aggressive towards humans.

It’s essential to remember: When people don’t invest time to get to know their dogs, their dogs suffer.

Lisa had to transform her home into a small refuge for all the dogs people “adopted” and then returned to her because the people changed their minds (usually because their dog didn’t meet their expectations or were too much to handle). These “returned” dogs stay with Lisa as long as they need, which she has no objection to, but it does mean extra food is required, more visits to the vet, and more time is spent to relocate the dogs to suitable owners.

Luckily, not many dogs are “returned” after being adopted, but each extra added to the existing ones from Lisa’s home can be very stressful. Every time we organize a transport to Sweden, it’s a happy moment because we see former homeless or abused or neglected dogs travelling to their forever homes where they’ll spend the rest of their lives with the loving family we interviewed and approved.

Lisa doesn’t complain. She is brave and handles these situations with grace. She never requests money for her work or extra expenses. She is a fantastic volunteer. However, as ROLDA’s leader, I must protect Lisa so she can continue helping us rehome dogs. I also care for Lisa. Without her and others like her, ROLDA would not be able to continue rescuing and rehoming dogs. The whole idea of running a shelter is to save dogs, rehome as many as possible and make room for others to be saved. Otherwise, the shelter gets overcrowded, which is not safe and healthy for the dogs.

To keep this story short, 21 #roldadogs arrived safely in Sweden at the end of April.
We are incredibly grateful to Lisa and her team for their outstanding work preparing this carefully.
From the previous transport, she is trying to find the perfect home for dogs like Charlie and Blanco, who were “returned” to her.

Charlie and Blanco integrated perfectly into Lisa’s home and even enjoyed friendly vacations with the rest of her dogs. Not long ago, Lisa had Farina, the alpha dog of her pack, who was very helpful in “teaching” the new dogs about house rules. When Farina passed, Lisa was devastated.

I often feel that Lisa is alone, and I hope that if you read this message, you will help Lisa and her “returned” dogs.

If you live in Sweden and have experience with an NGO (charitable association), please contact Lisa kontakt@rolda.se if you have the time and skills to help her.

If you don’t have time, you can become a ROLDA ambassador by contacting us at contact@rolda.org, and we will send you the Ambassador pack that you can wear and promote for FREE!

If you can, please donate directly to ROLDA Sverige using the following information:
Swisha till: 1234 126 348
Donera genom bankgiro: 573-0502
PayPal: info@rolda.se

If you live outside Sweden, please donate securely online here.

If you can’t donate now, please share our Facebook page, where many cute dogs are waiting for a home!

The ROLDA and ROLDA Sverige team effort is huge, and we need your help to continue our mission. Please help us continue rehoming rescued dogs from Romania in Sweden.

In 2004, ROLDA became aware of a horror scenario unfolding on our doorstep. A local steel mill, owned by one of Britain’s and the world’s richest men, Lakshmi Mittal, had become an involuntary home to countless stray dogs desperately seeking shelter and food. Instead of looking for a humane and compassionate way of dealing with vulnerable animals, management decided to poison hundreds of innocent animals and dispose of their remains in the Danube River. We, as any human being with a shred of decency, were appalled and apoplectic in our anger at this grotesque injustice. Faced with the daunting task of taking on the depraved indifference of those who put profit before humanity and the vast resources at their disposal; ROLDA refused to give up without a fight.

We instantly made our outrage known and petitioned Mittal with the details of the sickening acts of cruelty unfolding on his property. Our voices were finally heard and, in 2006, ROLDA’s founder and president, Dana Costin, was contacted by the representatives of the steel company to discuss the out-of-control stray dog population. Desperate and starving dogs were migrating from the city to the oft-abandoned industrial complexes in search of warmth and food.

Many found their way to Mittal’s steel plant, enticed by the shelter it offered and the acts of kindness of some staff who would share what little food they had with them. Frustrated by the impact of the dogs’ presence on their productivity and profit margins, the steel mill management took to medieval methods to remove them. After several months of intensive negotiations, ROLDA succeeded in convincing management to abandon the barbaric methods of killing strays and invest in humane solutions to decrease the stray numbers.

When ROLDA was called by the steel plant management to come up with a plan to collect all the dogs from the plant premises, we knew these dogs have only one chance. If we failed, hundreds of innocent animals would greet a painful and traumatic death.

ROLDA agreed to have built on our land a shelter for dogs captured from the steel plant, as the only alternative these dogs have to live – giving us time and opportunity to feed them, give them medical care and prepare them to become one day become to someone the loving companion they only wish to be. Many of the dogs we encountered had been born into the wild, never knowing the comfort of a home and the love and affection of an owner. These dogs need kindness, time, and patience to grow their trust in humans. Many more, traumatized by past horror and cruelty, required long and comprehensive psychological rehabilitation as well as caring for their physical injuries and ailments.

The scale of the challenge deterred many; ROLDA stood up for these dogs and said yes. We knew no one else would step in to save this animal and we know we made the right decision and when we look at all the dogs lives we transformed, all the dogs saved from the steel plant that live safely in homes across Europe. Our largest shelter can be found in the outskirts of Galati, Romania’s fifth-largest city, it’s outskirts is home to sprawling industrial complexes in stark contrast to the unforgiving wilderness beyond.

Our 15,000msq site was paid for in the summer of 2006, with the money donated to us by one of our most generous British donors. The shelter consists of two rows of kennels in parallel formation.

In total, 12 paddocks (120 kennel boxes). Every box is 18 square meters (3 x 6m) and can accommodate up to 6 dogs (depending on size). The sanctuary was authorized by the National Veterinary Authority (ANSVSA) in 2012 and the same year, included in the TRACES system.

The first paddock welcomed dogs in the fall, of 2007. In 2012, our veterinary clinic was completed and in the same year, we completed multiple running and play spaces for our dogs to exercise and socialize. Over time, ROLDA expanded by purchasing additional land surrounding our shelter, bordered by Acacia trees which we’ve strategically planted to act as a natural barrier to the snowstorms that plague the boreal Romanian winters.

Between 2007 and 2016, ROLDA successfully decreased the stray population within the steel plant premises by over 90%, reducing a population of over ten thousand to one approximately one thousand, providing lifesaving food, medical assistance, sterilization and rehabilitation.

Many of these dogs went on to loving homes internationally. It was a herculean challenge for our team. The gargantuan size of the steel mill, over thirty times larger than Vatican City, meant our small team had to cover the ground over which a city or micronation would sprawl. However, despite the mammoth challenge ROLDA rose to the occasion.

The initial agreement between ROLDA and the management steel plant included basic investments like access to water and electricity, but years passed, and these promises went unfulfilled; the much-needed construction of outdoor spaces for dogs’ exercises was also postponed.

In 2014, after countless of our calls, letters and emails went unanswered, ROLDA approached Mittal’s headquarters in London with news of the dire situation in Romania which they were complicit in creating. Soon after, a new contract was agreed upon with a plan of investments which included a connection to an electricity network. Unfortunately, the new management at the steel plant failed to deliver on the promises outlined in the new contract.

They even went as far as to use illegal and unethical methods to prevent ROLDA from holding them to account. In February 2016, they aggressively terminated the written agreement, leaving the promised investments unfulfilled, the large sanctuary with no sewage system, and worse: refusing to pay for 200 dogs (from a total of 644) collected by ROLDA from the steel plant and housed in our shelter.

Nearly one thousand dogs remained on the steel plant premises left to starve; now even the steel plant employees are forbidden to feed the dogs. They are suffering and in desperate need of medical attention. They are starving, desperate for food. They are vulnerable, infested by ticks and other parasites, and go unvaccinated, a source of disease for other dogs as well as for the employees and clients of the company.

ROLDA took the management of the steel plant to court, despite the company being a very influential international corporation, with vast financial resources and political influence that dwarfed our own. We began legal proceedings against the termination of the contract which ROLDA won in May 2019, after over three years of court battles that ended in the Supreme Court of Justice in Bucharest, Romania’s highest legal authority.

Over the years, new pieces of land have been purchased on both sides of the kennels. The land was intended to be used to slowly transform the rusty shelter into a state-of-the-art facility that will not welcome just dogs, but other animals, too. We called the new project PawzUp, a project to connect generations of animals and people for generations to come.

Alien survived a horrible infestation of fleas and ticks. Today, he is living at our ROLDA sanctuary happily waiting to be adopted. Alien was found by ROLDA rescuers in early spring, already completely covered with fleas and ticks. Normally, we see cases of heavy flea and tick infestation a few weeks into spring, once these pests are at their peak after a long hibernation period.

Alien was immediately treated, and he is now waiting for you to adopt him. He didn’t survive these mighty mites to spend the rest of his days with us (although he is welcome to do so!), he wants to spend them with you! And don’t worry, Alien is flea and ticks-free!

Did you know?

• Fleas can survive freezing temperatures as immature pupae living in untreated animals such as stray dogs. Once the warm weather arrives, these pupae will thaw and begin to lay their eggs.
• Ticks survive freezing temperatures in microclimates, and after the thaw, a female tick can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs at one time.

Fleas and ticks carry an array of potentially fatal diseases including anemia, tapeworms and Lyme disease, that are transmitted to dogs, cats, and, yes, even humans. Fleas and ticks are incredibly stubborn pests that are almost impossible to eliminate. It’s even extremely difficult to keep their numbers under control.

But there are preventative measures you can put into effect to minimize the risk of infestation, such as reducing the possibility of contact between wild animals and your pets. However, the safest way to protect your furry friends from the dangers of Fleas and Ticks is to use a flea and tick control product.

At ROLDA, we choose to protect all 650 dogs in our sanctuary with Advantix Spot-on Solution because it’s safe and effective. One dog can be protected against fleas and ticks for one whole month for just 8 EUR. Fleas and Ticks can also cause skin lesions and aggravate existing skin conditions such as mange.

Last October, Chick was found suffering from severe mange (a skin disease) which had been aggravated by the abnormal weather conditions. She was also full of fleas and ticks which only made her already damaged skin much more painful and difficult to treat.

Thankfully, Chick has made a full recovery and is also living with us at our ROLDA sanctuary!

Your donations help us:

• 1. Provide Advantix Spot-on Solution to all 650 dogs under our care
• 2. Treat rescue dogs infested with fleas and ticks
• 3. Provide medical care to dogs suffering from flea and tick-related diseases

How ROLDA has allocated donations during this year:

• Prevention: Vaccination campaigns
• Prevention Disease Control campaigns: fleas and ticks control, heartworm control, snap tests
• Sterilization and Microchip campaigns in Galati region’ villages for pets with impoverished owners
• Delivering doghouses to impoverished dog owners

Other expenses include shelter repairs, social campaigns, and medical assistance for donkeys and horses.

My name is Dana and I live in Caracal, Olt county. For many years, I save cats and I consider that the first step to stop the abandons is to spay/neuter cats. I contacted ROLDA who helped me already cover a large number of sterilizations for cats from Caracal town.

Presently (September 2022), we sterilize in Constantinesti village near Scornicesti (the town where dictator Ceausescu was born). We work with a local vet and all the costs are covered by ROLDA. I choose this village when one of my relatives pointed me that many families living in this village and also in surrounding villages own unsterilized cats that keep multiplying and their kittens were thrown like rubbish.

After we reduce the number of cats there, I would like to continue to sterilize back in Caracal town and after, in each village surrounding it. Why? Because it became like a bad habit that people living in villages to come to town to abandon cats, and kittens, or leave them in the forest or even throw them in the Olt river!

I have dozen of cats at home, all saved from the streets and I wish with all my heart to do many sterilizations which will eventually stop these cruel abandons.

Since then, ROLDA have kindly sponsored the vet bills of a few desperate cases of both cats and dogs each month, and with their help, we managed to do a lot more than we could before.
Just to name a few,

Even if we have laws and Animal Police in Romania, people continue to abandon animals.
Big thanks ROLDA for your generous support.

Starting in September 2021, ROLDA expanded its support to the nearby county, Tulcea. Danube river separates Galati and Tulcea counties (10 minutes by boat, which was the only connection between these two counties before the bridge was built). Tulcea is beautiful and has huge potential because of Delta of Danube, a popular tourist attraction. However, the locals who mostly live in the fishery are largely impoverished.

Poor communities have many problems, and animals are not a priority. Farm animals get more attention because of immediate benefits (eggs, meat, milk etc.). Nonetheless, pets are poorly cared for and get no medical treatment. They freely reproduce, expanding the suffering with innocent babies born to live in misery and neglect.

The volunteers from a local charity (The Great Catsby) primarily help cats but also dogs when possible. Their funds are tight, and the requests are overwhelming. Madalina contacted ROLDA asking for support, and from that moment on, we contributed to support their mission.

Among the things we have achieved together:
● Sterilize dogs and cats.
● Support the local public shelter with canned food.
● Aid for pets from poor communities.
● Treat puppies found abandoned in the local cemetery against parvo.
● Cover medical costs for cats with severe conditions who needed help from specialists, surgery and boarding in Bucharest clinics.

Currently, ROLDA covers care bills ranging from 2000-5000 RON per month for the Tulcea project. Over the following months, we hope to bring our coloring books to the area. We’ll work with local volunteers to distribute it for free in rural areas to help increase awareness of animal welfare among those who need it the most.

Just to name a few,

We are forever grateful to Dana and her team, she always says she wants to be able to do much more, but for us and the animals we are now able to help, this means a lot! We are also very appreciative of the fact they decided to support fellow rescuers in Romania, and thus, animals outside their immediate reach, as this kind of cooperation is unfortunately not so common although so necessary.

We couldn’t have done all of this alone!
Thank you, ROLDA and we hope you’ll be by our side next year too!”

Hugs from us and from our rescued babies,
The Great Catsby team

The law says: Pet Dogs in Romania must be sterilized and microchipped.

Dogs that belong to people must be sterilized, microchipped and registered in a National Registry (database) of dogs owners called RECS. This is a general rule that became effective in 2016.

Dog owners can be fined as much as € 1500 for not obeying the law. That is a lot of money, especially considering that the average monthly income in Romania is € 250. Most of the population barely subsists on this amount. One individual earning € 250 a month struggles to cover the necessary expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation, and food. A married couple with a combined income of € 500 can live comfortably, but if they have kids, that amount of money is not enough. And if they own a pet or two, then they are really in a hole.

So, why would people who are struggling to survive to choose to own pets?

It is essential to understand that low-income and impoverished citizens in Romania do not purchase dogs or cats; they adopt them or rescue them from the streets. These are people who love animals and hate to see them suffer, or they need a dog to protect their property. Either way, this keeps dogs and cats from being homeless, which is excellent!

These kindhearted people take good care of their pets, often making financial sacrifices to keep them fed and healthy, but many people cannot afford the € 26 it costs to sterilize, microchip, and register their dog.
And this is terrible news for the dogs. More dogs are abandoned for fear of Government fines.

ROLDA has always been in favor of sterilizing dogs and cats because it reduces the stray population, which means fewer dogs and cats suffer needlessly. We believe that sterilization is the only humane solution to the stray crisis in Romania and globally; therefore, we agree with the government’s enforcement of the sterilization law.

However, the law has caused an increase in stray dogs because owners are abandoning them to avoid paying for the € 26 for sterilization and do not want to risk being fined € 1500. Most people in Romania sadly cannot afford the € 26.

Our solution

To prevent abandonments provoked by financial reasons, ROLDA started a campaign to help low-income and impoverished pet owners sterilize, microchip, and register their dogs and cats.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, ROLDA helps hundreds of people in our community with these costs each year.

Bobi and Fetita are two dogs whose impoverished owners reached out to ROLDA for help with covering the costs of their procedures. Before Fetita was spayed, she had given birth to a litter of puppies who, sadly, all died from distemper. Her owners did not have the money to pay for their vaccinations.

Vlad and his parents contacted us when their dog, Heart, was getting sick. Heart was losing her appetite, which led to unhealthy weight loss, and she was also losing her fur and developed sores all over her body. Vlad and his parents were worried that Heart was going to die. They did not own a car to take Heart to the vet, and they did not want to risk taking her on public transportation because she was too sick. So, we gladly went to pick up Heart to take her to the vet.

ROLDA’s Community Pets Campaign continues to provide Heart’s food, as well as the food for hundreds of pets in our community. Our campaign gives pets with impoverished owners the opportunity to have access to quality food and emergency treatments.

We are proud to help the citizens in our community keep their pets healthy, and we are determined to continue providing them with food, medicine, sterilization, microchipping, and registration.

They need OUR help

Please donate to help impoverished pet owners in Romania keep their pets healthy and safe.

Every penny raised provides pets in impoverished communities with emergency food supplies and essential care like vaccinations, medications, and aid supplies.