Contact: [email protected] | +1 (410) 353-5505 | whatsapp non-US support +44 (0)161 531 8801
Find us on

Christmas is not just for the people

Winter is cruel for abandoned cats and dogs living on the streets. In Romania, temperatures can fall to a bitter 21°F in winter, while in Ukraine, they can plunge as low as -4°F. These painfully freezing conditions leave little hope for homeless animals who have nobody to protect them.

Whether a mother dog is desperately trying to keep her newborn puppies warm and alive, or a senior cat is wandering the icy streets alone in search of food – they deserve better this festive season. They deserve to be fed and cared for. They deserve a chance to feel safe and warm.

Hope: rescued and badly injured

Pickles: enjoying Christmas at home

Meet Hope – the dog who almost couldn’t be saved

When a man came across Hope – a vulnerable and homeless mother dog – he simply couldn’t leave her.

He managed to catch her after a week of trying, but in her panic, Hope had become trapped in barbed wire and suffered serious injuries – worst of all to her eyes. One had to be completely removed, with almost no vision remaining in the other.

Hope was brought to a ROLDA shelter – and when she was finally well enough, the most beautiful moment came when she was allowed out onto the grass. For a moment, you didn’t see her injuries or her impaired vision. You simply saw a dog enjoying the feeling of grass beneath her paws.

But one question remained: Would anyone want to adopt a dog who was severely visually impaired?
One day, the application we had been hoping for arrived. A family had made up their minds that Hope belonged with them.

Hope became Pickle and just kept surprising her new family with her sweet and playful side.

Now Pickle is a deeply loved member of her family, with her own bed and her own toys. Best of all she gets to enjoy Christmas safe, warm and adored.

A true miracle story. A dog once so frightened that no one could get close to her, who finally made it all the way home.

Support ROLDA this Christmas, and give more innocent animals a chance at happiness.

12 Tails of Christmas

This Christmas, 12 very special ROLDA residents have a story to share and a Christmas wish they’re hoping will come true. Each has their own tale of rescue, recovery and hope. While their journeys may be different, they all share one thing in common: they’re still waiting for their Christmas wish to come true.

Will you help give their stories a happier next chapter?

With 435 furry residents in ROLDA’s shelters, our Christmas wish is to make sure every animal feels safe, loved and cared for this festive season.

Read their stories, discover their Christmas wishes and help us make this Christmas one to wag their tails about!

Sparky, male, 1 year old

See story

Toto, male, 1 year old

See story

Solara, female, 2 years old

See story

Diana, female, 3 years old

See story

Franco, male, 4 years old

See story

Mitzi, male, 9 years old

See story

Paris, male, 1 year old

See story

Tripli-Simy, male, 1 year old

See story

Dagmar, female, 10 months old

See story

Mira, female, 3 years old

See story

Rocky, male, 1 year old

See story

Carmen, female, 6 months old

See story

Make tails wag this Christmas

Extra Festive Ways to Give

Shop for other Christmas items

Send a ROLDA Christmas e-card to loved ones

Buy personalized handmade ROLDA gifts