ROLDA :Have a heart for Romanian strays!

Pia (19 years old) volunteers to ROLDA shelter

2009-07-03T01:39:00.001-07:00

Meet Pia Solvaer from Norway,volunteering to ROLDA shelter,July 2009 and hear her thoughts.

CLICK TO SEE PIA'S VIDEO AT ROLDA, ROMANIA

Volunteer from Wales helping ROLDA dogs

2009-06-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Dave Griffin is the first international volunteer coming to ROLDA this year. He also is the first one experienced the day-after-day work that ROLDA volunteers and staff is undertake because his “volunteer time” started early each day; he participated to catching stray dog activity ,dogs feeding at the big shelter, cleaning the kennels and running spaces at the small shelter. Dave was there to see and help with all ROLDA activities, even if the dog catching wasn’t enjoyable –but a necessity ;as we wanted to offer transparency and receive the good and negative comments from an impartial person; who can also speak further our needs, our problems and Romanian strays tragedy .

Dave is 51 old animal lover from Wales. He read an article about ROLDA from Dogs Monthly and decided to join our international volunteer program. Back in his country, Dave helps people giving up drugs and alcohol and volunteers his free time to a small local animal sanctuary.

While spending his holidays at ROLDA, he helped cleaning and socializing dogs, learning the ones which will be adopted in UK in two weeks to go on leash.

Special thanks to Dave for the precious, valuable time spent at ROLDA shelter as a volunteer, for useful items collected for us, for the donations received from him and his kind colleagues’, for gifts-in-kind received from Pets at Home!

If you would like to know more about volunteering with ROLDA, please contact him:
Inthedoghouse.dave@yahoo.com

1 June -Draw and win!

2009-06-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

The winner of the contest is a 5 years old boy, Dragos Octavian G. -who dreams to be scientist and dog trainer, among three others occupations he prefers simultaneously.

From 19 to 27 May, kids between 4-10 years old from Galati were invited to drawing contest! On 1st June, 7 selected winners received the prizes, in terms of toys, a Ruff dog and cakes. The protocol and cakes are kindly offered by our newest collaborator, Cukys. This contest is part of ROLDA education campaign- to raise awareness about the importance of pets in our lives.
Contest organized thanks to Viata Libera, Arcelor Mittal ,Veti-Med, Cuky's.

Selecting the winners was a hard choice for the jury because we received hundred of drawings and paintings, all beautifully describing the participant’s voiceless friend or a story with animals.

Special prize for 4-6 years old category: Miruna Stefania A.(6 years old) and for 7-10 years old category: Alexandru P (9 years old)
Honorable mentions received: Cristi C(4 years),Mateo-Andrei S.(4 years),Anda M(10 years),Miriam Veronica and Adan-Cristian(7 years).
The children’s from the kindergarten no.40 Galati (teacher Ms.Anita) received a special prize from Cuky’s, ROLDA Ruff dogs.

2009-05-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

The actress Monica Cruz endorses the Romanian strays' cause!

Nearly 20 years after the fall of Communism enabled Romania to experience the most rapid economic growth in our nation's history, millions of street dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys are left in our streets to live on refuse.

Animals who are impounded as strays are typically incarcerated in concentration camps, where they have little or no chance to enjoy a good life and be adopted. They die of disease, starvation, or injuries suffered in fighting for scraps of bad food.
The authorities act blind and deaf toward animal lovers' recommendations for high-volume sterilization programs and building decent shelters where people can come safely to adopt. Overpopulation and abuse of homeless animals remain out of control, and are a disgrace to the Romanian national image.

ROLDA tireless efforts are rewarded by our donors and sponsors' commitment to our cause. This help has enabled us to build two private shelters for rescued strays, one chosen the best in Eastern Europe by a U.S. animal publication. We have also sterilized more than 3,500 homeless dogs and cats in collaboration with local veterinary clinics. We also do community education and host interns and international volunteers, raising all costs through sponsorships and private donations, with no support from local authorities.

Monica Cruz "I choose to care about Romanian homeless animals"

Our latest educational campaign called "Have a heart for Romanian homeless animals. National and international celebrities who care about animals have agreed to help us set an example and send a message to Romanian community: "I choose to care about Romanian homeless animals."

Photos of celebrities posing for "Have a heart for Romanian homeless animals" campaign will be promoted for two years on street billboards in Galati, our home town, and in a few of the other towns in Romania that are most often visited by tourists. Posters will be placed in animal-friendly places.

The first celebrity who kindly accepted to help us promote the Romanian homeless animals' cause is the actress Monica Cruz.

Monica Cruz is also a dancer and a dedicated animal lover, having no less than six adopted dogs whom she calls "her babies." They include two cockers, one Yorkshire, one bichon frise, one pug, and one Mexican dog rescued from the street, named Jimi.

She generously contributes her image to help sponsor our campaign to raise awareness worldwide about the Romanian street animals tragedy.
If you want to be the next celebrity participating in this campaign to end the suffering of strays in Romania, we would be extremely happy to hear from you or from your agent.

For more information about ROLDA, please visit www.rolda.org
Our site is frequently updated, so please visit often!
Your comments and contributions may be sent to:
ROLDA, Feroviarilor Str.16,Bl.C2,ap.18 800563 Galati, Romania
rolda@care2.com, 0040748903612, www.rolda.org

Adoption Center project

2007-11-22T08:18:00.001-08:00

Thanks to some local companies and private individuals ,the fence and access road was finished and we start the kennels building .Next steps: the veterinary clinic.

dogs paddock

electricity for the dogs kennels

We are hoping to find sponsors (corporations, individuals) to join our efforts to build as soon as possible this center and make it run properly,we are also hoping that animals protection organizations from UK, Germany, Holland,...will contact ROLDA to join efforts for an international adoption scheme.

Dogs from Galati were given a chance to survive better...let's not waste it !

Testimonials from ROLDA visitors

2007-09-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

"The shelter was very clean and of the highest standards.Everyone was most welcoming and devoted to the dogs.I really admire the work Dana Costin is doing.

I was especially impressed by the lengths she takes to ensure the health and wellbeing of the dogs.I wish there were more people like her in the world today." (Willie ,Ireland)

" Dana manages in an amazing way to give a large amount of dogs the least the can demand from mankind; a roof over their head, a place to sleep, fresh water, food, medical care, and daily care (from a much loved employee, who lets them out to run and enjoy each other!).

If Dana wasn't there, then who would..?

They dogs of ROLDA are healthy both physically and physically - that you don't have to be a doctor to see - and ready to be adopted ..."(Liselotte ,Sweden)

More on www.rolda.org/testimonials.htm

Volunteer to ROLDA shelter

2007-09-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

Would you like to visit ROMANIA? Why not holiday and help dogs ,too ? Many International volunteers have...

The ROLDA animal shelter is situated in the South eastern region of Romania. Located in the heart of "Dracula"s country, 7 km from Galatzi, you can explore the wonders of the Danube Delta natural reservation as well as visit Moldavian monasteries and medieval Romanian castles.

Built by a UK design and run by English speaking Dana Costin, the ROLDA shelter, voted in 2004 the best shelter in Eastern Europe (Animal People magazine) currently houses 60 rescued dogs. Operating on a small budget, ROLDA always needs volunteers. Can you help?

ROLDA invites you and your friends/family to stay for FREE in private accommodation at our shelter (two small bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, all indoor facilities, including dial-up internet) in return for your assistance to socialize, groom and exercise the rescued dogs.

For more information please contact ROLDA at rolda@care2.com !

"Shaking Paws around the World"

2007-09-17T11:38:00.001-07:00

This interesting idea belongs to a Irish man, 58 years old ,named Willie N. In the past 33 years, he helped different charities around the World with all kind of original fundraising events.

This successful program already helped shelters in New York, Liverpool ,Athens, Moscow, Barbados , all over Ireland, Tel Aviv, etc...

Recently ,Willie visited us for few days and "shake paws " with ROLDA dogs.

He also gave us an important donation ,as well as giving Mr Cenac a gift for the pound'dogs.Willie impressed us with his modesty and unconditional love for the dogs,he promised he will contact Irish media about our Adoption Center'project and that he will be happy to come again,when the new center will be opened !

Many thanks to Willie N. for every moment dedicated to Romanian animals ,many thanks to all people that sent him donations for our dogs and to the Northern Ireland media for advertising this event!

More on www.rolda.org/newsletter_september.htm

BBC reporter spreading out the word about Romanian animals' real life -a documentary about ROLDA !

2007-09-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Cathie P.,a freelance reporter and journalist for BBC News UK spent a week at the ROLDA shelter ,volunteering (walking the dogs, painting), recording interviews with local people for broadcasting the real situation of Romanian homeless animals .

She interviewed the MITTAL 's VP; discussing with local animal'lovers (e.g. ROLDA volunteers,our excellent vet.,the Peace Corp volunteers,...)

A whole week she worked hard to record ,being passionate to make Romanian animals'voice heard internationally.

She also visited one of the local pounds ,where she was socked by the reality ,the miserable life of imprisoned strays.

photos: Cathie visiting the local pound .When leaving the place,she made a donation to the pound caretaker for animals food

Once she will return to work, she is going to write for ROLDA newsletter 'readers her thoughts about the Romanian trip . Part of her trip purpose was imforming the twin towns of Galati from UK, France,…about the Romanian strays condition and about ROLDA charity.

More on the ROLDA latest news www.rolda.org/top_news.htm

ROLDA shelter slideshow

2007-06-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

ROLDA education billboard on Galati streets

2007-06-03T01:35:00.001-07:00

As a part of ROLDA‘ s education campaign ,the billboard message is simple, created to gagne people’attention and reach their hearts:

“Da-mi o sansa sa ajung aproape de inima ta!“ (Romanian)

„Give me a chance to be close to your heart.”(English)

Projects 2007-2009

2007-06-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Building ROLDA’s Adoption Center -a legacy for the next generations, a major step to solve humanely the animals overpopulation and local community ‘s related problems.

Built outside Galati, the center will have a veterinary clinic, with free spay/neuter and low cost treatments for homeless animals, a shelter were animals needing long-term treatment will benefit of medical assistance, an education center for local community (e.g. school activities, therapy with animals for orphan kids)

The major contributor for the building of ROLDA’s Adoption Center is a multi-national company that want to remain anonymous for the moment. Their generous grant will cover the entire building and the related costs.

(Building plan : veterinary clinic and the block with kennels +running spaces .Made with generous support offered by an animal’lover, engineer Rodica Vasiliu )

Immediately after the building work will be completed, we will need all the support we can get for sheltered animals: food (including special diet food),dogs supplies (bowls, collars, leashes, toys,…)cats supplies ,veterinary equipment & accessories ,shelter furniture, veterinary supplies ,grooming supplies, blankets,…

Every donated supply means less money spent from our very limited budget.
Thanks to your donations, funds can be redirected to spay/neuter & vaccination, treatments for the thousands homeless animals roaming on Galati streets.
We are making an appeal to individuals, animal organizations, and international companies willing to become our sponsors or partners. Their name and the trademark will be promoted on billboards and our website.

We are still at the very beginning with this project, but every support means so much,as we already done many big ,important steps to make this almost "unreal" project happening!

For more details or ways to help, please contact us!

International veterinaries volunteers coming to ROLDA

2007-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

International veterinaries volunteers coming to our local veterinary clinic

Onno Drent , a veterinary teacher in Barneveld ,Holland ,with 20 years experience in the mixed veterinary practice (where he did mostly the small animals ) wrote us that him and his colleagues would like to come for a 3-4 weeks period at ROLDA ,in Galati to help spay/neuter as many homeless animals as possible.

Please take a look to this link to find out what veterinary materiels would be useful for our spay/neuter campaign. Maybe you know a veterinary office in your area that can spare few or maybe you can send some yourself by mailing:
http://www.rolda.org/sterilization.htm

Veterinary items needed for spay/neuter:

10 stainless steel kennels
exam gloves 6 1/2-7 1/2
surgery gloves 6 1/2
surgery fields
general anesthesia injectable solution
donated gas anesthesia equipment
Domitor
Ethicon -absorbable suture materiel:2.0,3.0,4.0,1
disinfectant for kennels
syringes and needles
surgical blades and cauterizes
antiseptic solution
anti-inflammation injectable and pills

Thank you for care about Romanian homeless animals !

ECOSAL 'director about ROLDA

2007-04-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

In 07/08.04.2007 no. of a local publication ,the director of ECOSAL ,who administrate the two local pounds in Galati encouraged the animal'lovers to take ROLDA'exemple in helping animals.He also expressed his concerns about others local groups who are more interested in money than helping the strays.

This should be an important step in our future relation ,hoping that things will improuve for the strays from the pounds or from Galati'streets ,these inocents voiceless souls have no fault to be placed in the middle of humans'interests and scandals.

Please contact us !

2007-04-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

For more details about ROLDA's activity ,flash news,dogs ready to be adopted and our current campaigns,please visit ROLDA'website:www.rolda.org

ROLDA shelter-the best in Eastern Europe

2007-04-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

Built in 2003, the ROLDA shelter was designed to be an answer to the local homeless animal problem; a problem that becomes more and more serious.
Currently, the ROLDA shelter can accommodate up to 70 dogs in spacious, clean kennels with heating, electricity (even music!!!), clean beds, big running spaces, toys, etc.
Our dogs are all spayed/neutered and vaccinated--ready for a new adoptive family.
Our furry friends sheltered are:
• very small puppies dumped in streets;
• animals with lifetime handicaps;
• older animals with special health’ problems (these animals will never be adopted, but we try to ensure they have a comfortable life);
• very sick street dogs, who need a long treatment and medical observation; and
• dogs in recovery after spray/neuter surgery for eliminating the risk of infection.

Welcome message....

2007-04-01T03:09:00.000-07:00

Hello,

My name is Dana Costin ,the founder member and President of ROLDA Foundation ,also the President of Romanian League in Defense of Animals,USA (a 501-c-3 US organization).

Thank you for reading ROLDA's blog!