non-US support +44 (0)161 531 8801
One bite is all it takes!
Shortly after we rescued Angel, she was diagnosed with Dirofilaria immitis—heartworm disease. Sadly, Angel passed away. Heartworm is both complicated and expensive to treat, which is why most infected dogs don’t survive.
Shortly after we rescued Angel, she was diagnosed with Dirofilaria immitis—heartworm disease. Sadly, Angel passed away. Heartworm is both complicated and expensive to treat, which is why most infected dogs don’t survive.
Preventing heartworm disease is much less expensive and much more effective, but the harsh reality for stray dogs is that they are extremely vulnerable to being infected with this fatal disease because they do not receive heartworm prevention medicine.
Dirofilaria immitis, or heartworm disease, is a serious and potentially fatal disease in domestic pets, wild animals, and humans. It’s caused by foot-long parasitic roundworms that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels which cause severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs.
The disease is so widespread because it’s easily transmitted by mosquitoes. One bite is all it takes.
Our ROLDA sanctuaries are surrounded by forest, agricultural land, and the Danube and Siret rivers, making it a favorable habitat for mosquitoes to thrive. The area is also home to hundreds of wild animals and stray dogs—all potential carriers of Dirofilaria.
Our dogs receive Heartgard for 6 months (spring to fall) to protect them against Dirofilaria, but that still leaves thousands of stray dogs around our sanctuary unprotected and at high risk of contracting the disease.
A donation of €41 can protect 1 dog for 6 months against this deadly disease.
Since 2016, our efforts to provide Heartgard to all 650 dogs in our sanctuary have been compromised due to the abrupt financial cuts caused by our former partner ArcelorMittal Galati. Their actions have put in danger the lives of these poor dogs and have left us struggling to maintain our shelters operational—not to mention the risk of shorting food and medical supplies, including heartworm medicine and treatment.
ROLDA continues to pursue legal action against Mittal to seek justice for our dogs. The legal battle is still ongoing in court. Until the issue is resolved, we kindly ask you to help us keep our dogs safe and free from fatal diseases such as heartworm.
Remember, €41 can protect 1 dog for 6 months.
Do you want to hear more news about our stories?
Related content
The Role of Veterinary Care in Helping Rescue Dogs Thrive
One of the most common misconceptions about animal rescue is that once an animal has been taken off the street, it is safe and the hardest part is over. The fact that some rescue missions are dramatic and demanding does a lot to contribute to this general opinion. However, many rescue dogs are injured, have ... One bite is all it takes!
Building a Better Future for Stray Dogs Through Rescue, Care, and Compassion
What separates ROLDA from the rest of the animal rescue organizations doing really good work for the stray dogs? The solid community of donors, sponsors, adopters, and volunteers who have rallied around us and who have taken on our mission. With such resources, we have managed to exit the survival mode most rescue organizations operate ... One bite is all it takes!
How Adopting a Rescue Dog Supports a Larger Mission of Animal Welfare
There are millions of ways in which people can say ‘We are in this together’ and just as many ways in which others can show they understood the assignment. When it comes to animal rescue, we are aware that our activity carries a heavy emotional load – both for the people directly involved and for ... One bite is all it takes!
The Untold Stories of Dogs Waiting for Their Forever Homes
When ROLDA first started as a Romanian animal rescue organization, its mission was to save as many dogs as it could. In doing so, they also managed to change the perspective on what animal rescue truly was, and how it could be done to the best of people’s ability and toward the best possible outcome ... One bite is all it takes!
How Community Support Helps Rescue Organizations Save More Dogs Every Year
As a rescue organization that has managed to take thousands of dogs from dangerous living conditions, help heal and rehabilitate them, and find them homes with responsible owners, both in Romania and abroad, we can say the most important thing we have learned from our experience is this: we are only as strong as the ... One bite is all it takes!
