February newsletter

AKA Romania Animal Aid www.actionaidforanimals.com

Max meets his new adoptive family Freedom from cruelty and suffering at long last as Darren carries this 3 legged angel to her adopters Pola, Victoria (K9 Angels) and Anne with our precious cargo Our sincerest thanks to all The team of Action Aid for Animals (aka RAA) and all the people in Romania, Holland and the UK for volunteering your time to make the dogs dreams come true

It's official , we are as tough as flaky pastry! You know those charities and organisations out there who wont be persuaded no matter what terrible events of animals in need are thrown at them to change their main goals? You know, the tough ones, who wont deviate from activism or maybe who focus only on one breed of animal. Well, we have come to realise in comparison to those others, we are about as tough as flaky pastry. In December we decided that we were going to be more like them, get tougher, be more focused. Concentrate only on 3 main areas. Activism, Aid and Spay and Neuter. No more of these rescue missions we said, no more of this transport malarkey we said, we can be more effective by staying in the UK and coordinating from a distance, saving donations for specific causes just like others do rather than using the money as soon as we get it to help the animals we said. With messages arriving in our inbox for help to get victims of animal abuse to safety, videos of dogs chained up and beaten who needed us, photos of animals freezing to death in the snow. Our new toughened resolve lasted all of...a week. Yes we know, pathetic! However when it comes to animals in need, what we lack in toughness we more than make up for in sheer grit and determination to help where we can. Despite severe snow storms, riots, entire sections of motorways closing in parts of Europe and for some of our team to go without sleep for nearly 3 days...We did it! The proof can be seen in the amazing photos, of 28 dogs who we helped escape from the cruelty and abuse they have all suffered in Romania. Arriving safely in the UK into the arms of there new adopters and foster families. These photos were taken just over a week ago, proving that though at times it is ok to be as tough as old boots, but when it comes to animal welfare you also need some flaky pastry Sharing tears of Joy as we bring the dogs to safety in the UK Without the team effort (including funds from our supporters) the future for these furry angels was too horrific to even think about. But remember, there are thousands out there who just like these guys need our help. We cannot do this without yours. If you can, please donate today and help us to rescue more animals from the living hell that is Romania.

The courts say NO to massacre of strays A few months ago we had the horrible task to report to you that the Romanian government had sneaked in the law for the mass genocide of strays They did this despite the millions of emails to them and the EU, hundreds of petitions and a worldwide outcry against their actions. Last month because of the emails, letters and petitions and a huge collaboration in Romania of likeminded animal welfare groups taking the case to court. It has been ruled that the law that was sneaked in was unconstitutional. Though this stops the Rom Gov in there tracks, its does not stop them going back to the drawing board.

Stepping up the Aid for the Arctic conditions the strays now face. Because of the horrific weather conditions (reaching -27c in parts of Romania) increasing the struggle for the strays and rescued animals, we have had to step up the size and amount of aid we are sending over. Besides our vans of aid and posting packages of medical supplies we are now having to send emergency pallets. The crates and wooden kennels will be stuffed with straw and the beds allow a barrier between the ice and the animals bodies. Also medical supplies, Doggy coats, first aid kits, bags of food, treats and Trigene disinfectant to kill the disease in kennels. All of this, even the cost to send these emergency pallets is thanks to our wonderful supporters. If you are able to donate items or help towards the cost of a palette to be sent, anything you can do to help is very much appreciated. Please see our Appeals section on our website www.actionaidforanimals.com or donate securely via paypal. The need could not be any greater than it is now.

Radauti update We have been one of the few active organisations/charities in Romania to recognise and to accept that the there is only two ways forward to help the animals in that country. 1) is spay and neuter and 2) whether we like it or not is to work together with the very government officials who would think nothing of slaughtering the animals we are trying to save. The first is being achieved via our sponsored spay and neuter clinics, the second however is a far harder process. Radauti is one such situation where thanks to our collaborations including the local animal welfare group Radauti Group for Animal Welfare and negotiations with the city hall changes are slowly starting to happen. However, we still have a long way to go yet in achieving our goals there. We are happy to report that after much thrashing out proposals, agreements going back and forth, we are now at the contract stage. We were asked by Radauti city hall to have a contract drawn up based upon these meetings which has now been done and to which you can view yourself via RGAW's website www.rgaw.info on there news page. The next stage is for the mayor to put this final contract forward in the next monthly meeting and if the council agree the lives of the dogs and all animals within Radauti will change for the better.

The prisoners of Radauti public shelter

Rescuing my two babies has been the best decision I have made in a very long time - by Veronica Fairhurst. UK I would like to recount the totally fulfilling experience I have had with Action Aid for Animals. I initially decided to adopt one rescue dog from Romania, but given the plight of the strays there I opted for another one. The person I adopted from was utterly amazing, open, honest, understanding and always available with advice. So once that decision was made we then arranged for the transport of my new babies and many others I have to add. What a complete pleasure it has been to deal with Action Aid for Animals. They have been so supportive through this whole process of adoption and rescue. They have overcome issues that to me would have been insurmountable - but they never broke stride. Prior to collection they sent out an itinerary and in depth information on where the dogs would be picked up, timings, when they would arrive at Calais, when they would arrive in UK, and all the drop off points. Even with the problems they encountered in Calais they never once panicked, they kept us up-to-date at every opportunity. Above all they cared for the dogs constantly on the gruelling journey from Romania to UK. I would most certainly use Action Aid for Animals again if I adopt from Romania - I would not hesitate in recommending others to use them. Rescuing my two babies has been the best decision I have made in a very long time. A huge THANK YOU to everyone  - Veronica Fairhurst - UK

Has Veronica's story inspired you to adopt or foster a rescued Rommie? If so please check out our Looking for a forever home section below. These little guys really need a safe and loving family.

Bouncy - 2 year old neuterd male, sweetest dog you will ever meet   Star   Blanca - 4.5 year medium sized rescued Rommy   3 BABY BEARS - ALL GIRLS   These babies have been found a couple of days ago by a lady, in Braila. She has no place to put these babies, her home is already filled with animals and she requested help The babies are outside in the cold winter, no protection whatsoever. Please help , offer them a forever or foster home and help us to get them to safety and a wonderful life. They are all vaccinated , chipped and ready to travel to there forever/foster homes       To see more animals in desperate need of adoption from Braila please visit the Braila adoption blog http://adoptdogromania.blogspot.com/ Paco, - 1 year old male who needs to be in his own home, not a shelter   Paco was abandoned when he was a little puppy, in a box at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The students took good care of him and his siblings, they were all adopted except Paco and his sister Sandy. He now lives in a mini shelter in Timisoara where he is ebing cared for by Pet Hope. He has been waiting for a long time to have his own home and family.  Cruel people say that he is ugly and nobody has been interested to adopt him . He has so much love to offer and is very sensitive, the shelter life will break this dog, he needs his own home For more doggies just like Paco that are available for adoption from PetHope please visit their website www.pethope.ro Lisa , 4-5 years of age. Born on the streets of Bucharest - Looking for a foster/forever home   Lisa is beautiful 4 yea old female, full of energy and love. She was born in the streets of Bucharest and survived this vile and hostile environment. At some point Lisa wandered into the yard of an orphanage, the children loved her so much. But the orphanage was closed and Lisa found herself on her own again...   She was found almost dead, starved, like skeletons because the contractors who closed the gates on the orphange also closed Lisa inside along with another dog, without any chance to find food by themselves they were so close to death. Thankfully there pitiful cries for help were heard and Lisa and and her friend Blacky (her only true love :) was visited and fed everyday. Lisa still is living in that yard and her heart breaks when she is left or has to go back to the orphanage yard after vet visits . She loves to have people around, being very obedient and gentle dog. Please....Adopt and save Lisa' life, she needs to spend her life with her own family Bella 8 month old mix, living on the streets, beaten and abused - Please help us find her a forever home   This is Bella I ( though we think Bambi is more apt!), a beautiful intelligent young pup living on the streets of Bucharest. She is in desperate need of a forever home. She has been vaccinated and sterilised and will be ready to travel out of Romania as soon as we find an adopter for her. She is very good with other dogs, cats and children. She is nervous around men as she has been through such horror at the hands of them in Romania.  It will just take that special person to show her not all men or humans want to hurt her. Vasy, 2.5 months - Born on the streets desperately needs a home. Born on the streets, mum is a stray and his two sisters are gone missing. He is 2.5 months old and 2.5 kilos. He was only found just over a week ago, rescued from the freezing weather that has killed hundreds of dogs over the last few days in Romania. Please, if you could offer this sweet little angel a home just let us know, we will organise everything for you.   Sandy - Looking for a forever home A sweet little puppy looking for a forever home   Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. All pups are fully vaccinated and will arrive at there forever home chipped, passport, neutered and ready to live the most wonderful life with there new family. Gambit A sweet little puppy looking for a forever home     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. All pups are fully vaccinated and will arrive at there forever home chipped, passport, neutered and ready to live the most wonderful life with there new family. Please contact us if you are able to offer any of these little angels a safe and loving home.   Chappie A sweet little puppy looking for a forever home     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. All pups are fully vaccinated and will arrive at there forever home chipped, passport, neutered and ready to live the most wonderful life with there new family. LUCKY   Small female terrier mix, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. All pups are fully vaccinated and will arrive at there forever home chipped, passport, neutered   Buster A sweet little boy     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. All pups are fully vaccinated and will arrive at there forever home chipped, passport, neutered Moby - Looking for a forever home. Collie Mix, will be a medium sized dog, Male     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.     Fefe - 18 months old, found batterd and badly bitten when only very young, now needs you to show her the world isn't just about pain and hate.   Fefe's story starts somewhere near Bucharest....she was  very young, had been bitten and she so scared and hungry when we found her! She had some problems trusting people, in the sense that when you went to her, she would make herself small small to the ground, hoping she would not be seen Now Fefe is better and better everyday, she trusts people again. She is very loving and playful :); a little bit shy at first, then full of joy and energy. She's about 18 months old (one year and a half), she's female, neutered, 50 cm height To see more dogs just like Fefe who are being cared for GIA in Bucharest please visit their website: http://www.orasulanimalelor.org/ TANYA     A pretty, gentle girl, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.   Stardust 3 month old female   A pretty, gentle girl, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. DAISY  1 year old female     A pretty, gentle girl, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. MARA     Very gentle and loving little girl, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.  LARA   4 month old female     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. IZABEL 5 month old female     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.   ANGEL 4 month Collie mix, Female       A pretty, playful girl, currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. ELA 2 year old gentle female       Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.   TULIP A shy 1 year old male     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. TUCKER 2 year old male, gentle and playful young dog     Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.    ROCCO 2 year old Terrier mix - Male  Cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter.  BEN Rotty Mix, 2 year old male. Shy and gentle       Cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. LUCIA 9 year old female, very friendly little dog       Currently being cared for by RGAW at the Radauti public shelter. For more doggies that desperately need adoption out of this shelter, please check out RGAW website www.rgaw.info

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