In October 2023 I had the pleasure of volunteering at the ROLDA in Galati, Romania. I had been reading about various organizations that rescued animals from Ukraine because of the war. Since Galati is very close to the Ukraine border it seemed like a logical choice to visit and volunteer, and articles I had read indicated that ROLDA had an excellent reputation. As I entered the shelter I was immediately impressed with how clean and well kept the grounds were. New, very green grass had grown in and a new cat shelter had just been built. Small dogs and newborn puppies are housed in a clean, climate controlled building, away from the larger dogs. The back section of the shelter grounds is where the other dogs are. Again I was impressed with how clean this area and the cages were. The dogs are moved on a rotating basis to an outdoor area, which is fenced-in, where they are allowed to play while their cages are being cleaned and disinfected. This is done by 2 dedicated and hard-working women, Flori and Aurelia. They work tirelessly, and their love for all the animals at the shelter touched my heart! The dogs and cats at ROLDA Galati are very well taken care of. They are examined and treated by a veterinarian. Thank you to Flori and Aurelia for a wonderful experience!

I got off the train in Galati and Dana picked me up, she drove me to the shelter and it was so nice to catch up with her since it was almost 2 years than my last visit. At the shelter I was greeted with a lot of wagging tails and kisses. ROLDA dogs are truly happy dogs and you can see that they are well taken care of because otherwise they wouldn’t be so happy and search for attention. But with that said we need to remember that a life in a kennel is not a life for a dog and we need to work harder to get these lovely dogs to their forever home. Dana showed me the vet clinic and all the improvements that have been done since last time I visited. The sun went down and Dana showed me where I would spend the night… After a good night sleep a lovely ROLDA staff drove me to Bucharest airport. I can’t wait to do this again, meet all the dogs, the nice staff and hopefully if we all work together bring dogs to their forever homes!

This is the first time when I volunteer at a foundation for animals. For me, the ROLDA Foundation is a place full of love where you can find yourself when you are sad, because the happiness on the puppies’ eyes drives away any feeling of sadness. It is not only a shelter for puppies but also the home of many lives that are carefully cared for everything they need. It shows how much love there is between the members of the foundation and their puppies. I would repeat the experience as a volunteer with the most wonderful people and the cutest puppies!

ROLDA is my greatest passion , it truly gives my life meaning and a great purpose to help the Romanian dogs . With the COVID crisis just like any other hard times in dog rescue, it only motivates me to help the ones in need even more . The dogs are helpless without us and I keep seeing their furry faces in my mind. Even though we cant travel at the time there are so many other things we can focus on to help , like getting more new happy homes ready for the time when we can finally bring all lucky dogs to Sweden again and raise money to maka life better for the ones still in Romania .Beethoven is the best thing that has happened to me and my family. we love him beyond words and he goes everywhere with us . It amazes us how smart he is and so good with everyone and everything. He loves children and other dogs and he walks like a perfect gentleman with my 88 year old grandma. He loves to cuddle and we smile all the time thanks to him. He is also my great motivation and reminder to help all his other friends that are still back in Romania . He is my lucky rescue mascot and best friend.

I have worked with Dana and Rolda since my family adopted 2 dogs from Rolda in 2011. Dana has always been professional and passionate about her work for Rolda and the dogs. Through good and bad times, we have worked together trying to improve the life of stray dogs in Galati. Danas strength and compassion for these dogs have impressed me, she never gives up!

A few months ago, we were desperately reaching out for support to animal aid organisations around the world, as we are focusing on animal rescue in Romania. Very few have replied, and the only one that actually offered support were our neighbours based in Galati, ROLDA. 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. Thank you for giving me this experience, I have felt so welcome and taken care of here and Fiorella.. I can never thank you enough for her.

Silje lives in Norway and she has cats (she even trains cats!) but her first dog was a ROLDA dog named Red, which arrived “home” 2 winters ago. Since that moment, Silje learn a lot about the dogs behavior and her new skills helped her understand better the dogs from our shelters, when she visited us for a week in June 2014.

Silje’s views about the big shelter – a home for about 650 dogs.
The big shelter is just that, big. There are a lot of dogs and it is time consuming to give everyone some individual attention but it is so worth it. Some of them are a bit shy or afraid but most of them come running right up to the fence and want you to pet them. The cages are clean and the dogs are in good health and by the way they react to people you can see that they are looked after with care. You can also see it in the interaction between the men and the dogs. They know each other. And some of the dogs that was terrified when they first came are now the first ones to run up to greet you. Of course it is not the ideal environment, the ideal idea of a loving forever home, but if you have ever seen the inside of a public shelter or the dire circumstances some of the street dogs live in, this is doggie heaven compared.

Silje volunteered to the small shelter, too!
The small shelter is another experience all together. Flori is the nicest person you will ever meet and she truly loves “her” dogs. And they love her back! You get much closer to the dogs there as the most sociable walk around in the beautiful garden and the pens are much more open so it is easier to get close to the dogs there as well. They have doghouses and crates they can go lie in but they mostly stay together in the shade and relax or play. There is a cottage there as well with a small kitchen and a bathroom so that’s very practical for visitors and volunteers, and also if you want some private moments with one of the dogs. What I have done most while I’ve been here is to sit under the cherry trees with the dogs and cuddle and play with them or just watch them interact and I could do that forever I think.

Silje is modest …because she did more then sitting. She even trained some dogs to “sit” for the right cookie! All together, having Silje with us, even for only a few days, was a great experience. I wish all the volunteers would behave with respect for the work undertaken and treat the dogs as she did. And…she did some other amazing thing: one more dog happy! Fiorella will be prepared to travel to Norway soon and join Silje family where she will also meet Red.

I enjoyed it very much, to see the dogs, cuddle most of them, it was a little hard to see the big shelter for me, but then I realised how lucky they were to have you and to be there with you! Being with you, means that they will find their forever home very soon, and in the meantime they are safe and taken care of! I’m amazed of all the things you’ve done for the dogs! They are all so happy, sweet and full of love, like they forgot all the pain they went through in the street! And I don’t have enough words to describe how it makes me feel. You give hope and love to these dogs, it’s just amazing… Thank you so much for everything you do! You are a real angel!

A few months ago, we were desperately reaching out for support to animal aid organisations around the world, as we are focusing on animal rescue in Romania. Very few have replied, and the only one that actually offered support were our neighbours based in Galati, ROLDA. 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.

Åse bor i Bergen, Norge. Hun har adoptert hunder og katter fra Norge og Spania, og nå også en hund, Maja, fra Romania. Det bor rundt 600 andre hunder på våre hjelpesentre som venter på noen som Åse. Om ikke fra Norge, så kanskje fra Nederland, Storbritannia eller andre steder. De fleste Rumenere er skamfulle eller irriterte over gatehundenes tilstedeværelse, men behandler ikke hundene humant. Mennesker som Åse gjør at vi fremdeles beholder håpet på at noen forstår viktigheten av arbeidet vårt, respekterer hva vi gjør og oppmuntrer og promoterer vår virksomhet. I tillegg til å støtte oss økonomisk, kan du komme og jobbe som frivillig hos oss eller du kan dele våre aktiviteter og nyhetsbrev på nettet. Om du ser etter et loddent familiemedlem, ber vi deg huske på oss. Vi har mange vakre, smarte, friske og sunne hunder i alle størrelser, farger og fasonger som venter på deg.

Dana, I want to tell you such a big thank you for your kindness. You do such an inspiring job for all those dogs. I’m feeling so blessed to have experienced that in Galati Romania and I’m completely for your cause. Sending your best greetings and take care of you and all those sweet dogs.

The ROLDA sanctuaries are run by the devoted Dana Costin together with her co-workers. Today there are more than six hundred dogs, and the donkey Ben, for them to care for. A visit at the large sanctuary is an emotional experience : Glad to see all these dogs saved from their former life, victims of hunger, violence and danger of accidents and diseases – sad to see how much more care they need, and how many of them crave intensively for contact with humans. Rolda’s goal is to adopt as many of these dogs as possible to homes in Europe, where they can get love and care and a life worthy a living soul. A lot of work is also done to cure dogs who suffer from injuries and diseases. To save lives is Rolda’s aim, but also to take the responsibility to put an end to a life that consists of suffering and pain. Fundraising is not easy. Although there are many dog lovers around Europe who contribute , the need is still urgent. Costs for veterinary, vaccinations, maintenance, food for the dogs and material of all kinds is in constant need. Rolda also engage in feeding stray dogs and campaigns for sterilization of dogs in the neighborhood. Being a volunteer is for me, personally, rewarding: I can see that my money does go straight to what they are meant for, and that our work give many animals a home and a better life.

Difficult to express in only some words the emotion felt coming to visit ROLDA shelters. I was expecting to see dirty dogs lying in bad conditions ….this is what we, Swiss people, hear about Romanian “shelters”. But in fact, when I arrived I saw all these adorable dogs, healthy, clean, well fed, in large well-appointed cages or released. No chains around their necks. And all these cages have little importance. The only thing is the love that emanates from everywhere … The love that dogs have spontaneously given me, the love that they were given to Dana and to the employees… which are not just “working” in the shelter, but they are these dogs’ only family they have. That’s what touched me, the love that emanates from this place. Even if it’s hard to see all these dogs that are waiting for a family, I know they are getting the best in this shelter. The dogs are there, full of affection, waiting a little attention from human side … And that’s why I need to continue to help them.