ROLDA President’s Message May 2023
ROLDA Sverige was founded in 2014 by Lisa, and a group of volunteers dedicated to helping homeless animals live better. The main goals of this association are to help ROLDA Romania: fundraise to keep our shelters functional and rehome dogs from our shelters in Sweden.
The story of Doina
Even though Doina was someone’s pet, she was never given a name. It was us who named her Doina when her family brought her to us after their other dog (who is more than twice her size) bit off her left eye.
The history of ROLDA large shelter read details
In 2004, ROLDA became aware of a horror scenario unfolding on our doorstep. A local steel mill, owned by one of Britain’s and the world’s richest men, Lakshmi Mittal, had become an involuntary home to countless stray dogs desperately seeking shelter and food.
ROLDA in Caracal
My name is Dana and I live in Caracal, Olt county. For many years, I save cats and I consider that the first step to stop the abandons is to spay/neuter cats. I contacted ROLDA who helped me already cover a large number of sterilizations for cats from Caracal town.
ROLDA in Tulcea
Starting in September 2021, ROLDA expanded its support to the nearby county, Tulcea. Danube river separates Galati and Tulcea counties (10 minutes by boat, which was the only connection between these two counties before the bridge was built).
Latest blog posts
You’ll never walk alone, Piciu
There is a saying, when someone needs a friend, God sends them a dog. Regardless of your religious beliefs, we can all agree dogs are man’s best friend. ROLDA dogs need a friend, a friend like you, and no dog needs a friend more than Piciu.
Save Oscar
“My pain is easier to bear when I see you.” that’s what Oscar seems to say when he is around people. Unfortunately, there is no end to the pain that animals feel. It was a regular Saturday. I took a break from writing a report, and logged in to Facebook when the image of a tiny fur ball filled the screen… he was trying to reach a person in a parking lot.
Bo for senior dogs
We can say that after being adopted, Bo is living like a celebrity star, enjoying long walks in the Swiss mountains and relaxation time in the jacuzzi. He even climbs alone the house stairs, after his mother carries him (1/3 of her entire weight) in her arms, a few times every day, to build his trust. In Switzerland, Bo has also a gang to share the “dog moments” with.
Save Bela
If you turn your head away, she will die. If your eyes can’t bear looking, imagine the pain she feels! “This is one of the worst I’ve seen” exclaimed our vet, gingerly removing a plastic shopping bag stuck to Bela’s deep and infected facial wound. Bela’s story begins in the village of Cismele, South-East Romania, one of the country’s poorest rural communities.
Help Nick beat infestation with ticks
Help Nick beat his tick infestation and help him live! My name is Nick. I was given this name yesterday when I was rescued. Before that, I was a nameless puppy born in a garden in rural Romania like thousands of others. My mother, Greta, gave birth to five pups on a bitterly cold January morning. My brothers and sisters died within the next two months from parvovirus disease, but I survived.
Fighting for breath
Nelu was calm when he walked into our sanctuary, but when he started to tell us about the dog he held in his arms, he struggled to find the words. He believes that he was meant to find this dog, but he wishes it was under healthier circumstances.
Liberty has a price
600 E. Do you think it’s a lot or it’s cheap? Did you ever think to put a price on liberty? Is there any price for liberty? This is the story of a mixed Labrador, a beautiful dog. He used to be someone’s dog for years until the tumor that grew on his right side became not only visible but, (sorry!) smelly.
A despicable, cowardly act
This poor tiny dog—approximately 1-year-old—was found yesterday morning covered in tar. The dog was found and reported to ROLDA by a man from a nearby military unit who heard the desperate screams of the dog as the tar was burning his skin. The dog had been wrapped in plastic and thrown in a tar pit as an apparent punishment.
Puppies paralyzed by ticks
Sometimes it’s difficult to put into words the struggles of the stray dogs I encounter, especially when it comes to stray puppies. The Rescue Team and I found this brother and sister, just weeks old, near a garbage dump. The pups were trembling with fear as we approached them, but they did not move.
Maia rescue
I received a call from a man in Vanatori village frantic about a dog in terrible pain. He said he saw the dog trying to jump a metallic fence, but got stuck and broke both legs. He also said that men tried to help her, but she was defensive, not allowing them to approach her. The men got scared and left.
Seth Rescue
Seth lay in one spot unable to stand; the vet determined if Seth can walk again. Our veterinarian has informed us that he needs until next Wednesday to properly diagnose Seth’s condition in order to determine what type of surgery, treatment, and rehabilitation he will need.
Puppies left to die
6 puppies were left outside in the bitter cold to die. It’s utterly shameful, disappointing, and inconsiderate when someone doesn’t have the decency to let us know they are leaving 6 unwanted puppies outside our gates. This is a cowardly act from someone who has no regard for innocent life. Now, one puppy is dead from hypothermia, dehydration, and starvation.
Dirofilaria
What is dirofilaria immitis? How can ROLDA prevent and treat this fatal disease? 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.
The long journey of a hungry dog
Millions of people, and animals, suffer and perish from starvation every day. Extreme hunger is an intense sensation that can drastically change a person’s behavior, even to the point of doing unspeakable things to feed themselves and their families. The same is true for animals.
Help Nadie live
In the most difficult moments, some choose to stay and some run away. That’s also when you see what true friends are for. ROLDA is a responsible charity that helps abused and neglected animals in one of the poorest regions of Romania. We don’t turn our heads when seeing a malnourished, or very sick animal suffering at the edge of the road. Why? Because we are the only hope he has, his only chance to stay alive with dignity.
The 5 “Trash” Puppies Update
Do you remember the puppies saved two months ago from trash? Thanks to all the great people that donated for their rescue, we can now report you the update. We named them: Andy, Charlie, Junior and Chasmine.
The Story of White Angel
Do you believe in God? Sometimes? I have reasons to and no doubt that Angels exist. I’ve seen them. I’ve saved them. And perhaps they’ve saved me. Some are big, some small. Some are black, some white. Some Angels see everything; and some wander without sight.
You are their chance: 5 puppies chance to live
Today we went to feed dogs from around the shelters area. It stopped snowing but the freezing was extreme. Our team noticed 5 small furry balls on a pile of abandoned trash, disposed of at the edge of the road.
A Homeless Big Heart
I thought that being hungry, freezing, or in pain is the worst. I was wrong. The day I saw you standing in front of me, lifting me up in your arms from the filthy floor to the point where I could look straight into your eyes was the most beautiful experience I lived. But again, I was wrong.
When Buffy Lost an Eye, Her Family Abandoned Her
Dogs deserve the same unconditional love they give us! When Buffy, a tiny dog, suffered a severe injury to her eye, we offered to pay for the veterinarian bill because her family could not afford it. Sadly, the vet had no other option but to remove the injured eye. The vet also found Buffy full of fleas and worms, which he also removed.
Can you imagine being left alone for 2 years?
Everyone has their bad days. Everyone has obstacles to overcome in life. How big or small a problem may not matter—it’s still a problem. What does matter is the help and support one receives during such difficult times. We are always grateful — whether we realize it or not — for those who are with us when we feel most alone.
A letter from grateful Lori
The hurt was so severe, I felt blinded. A searing pain spread like wildfire through my haunches and tail. Running away was impossible. Instead, I tried desperately to drag myself to safety, my back legs felt broken. My spirit, too. We street dogs roam in packs, and we try to stay out of each others way.
Blonda story
Babies Born Ready to Die: In one of the poorest Romanian houses near Galati, lives a canine Cinderella. But we call her Blonda. Her brief two years on this planet have been spent with a short chain around her neck. She was kept alive to “defend” her family and their property. Blonda has been through more in two years than any dog deserves to endure in an entire lifetime.
Caramel story
(Visitor thoughts) When I arrived the dogs were all barking but after a few moments, they stopped…and that was one of the most beautiful silence… I looked around – dogs everywhere- small, white, brown, or black. I didn’t know in front of which kennel to stop at first. And there he was: a tiny white/caramel angel handing his paw.
