Testimonials
about ROLDA

My name is Anja, I live close to Hamburg. How did I come to join this project? First of all I met Sabine last year via Twitter. We got along great from minute 1…when I met Tofu (the sweetest rascal I’ve ever seen) I fell in love the second I saw him. Sabine and I talked a lot about Romanian stray dogs and I got to know a lot about how terrible the situation in Romania is for these animals. When Sabine told me she is going to be the head of the German operation I warmed up to the idea to help too. Muffin (Sabine’s second adopted dog) helped in making the decision to join this awesome project, because you have to know Muffin is just as cute and lovable as Tofu is. You can say I found one of my life tasks in the ROLDA organization.

Some might say that I have the easiest job at ROLDA because I basically prepare and evaluate them for adoption after they have been rehabilitated, but that's not true. I also see the dogs when they first arrive at ROLDA, all scared, skinny, bruised...it's painful to watch. No job is easy at a charity. It's heartwarming to see a stray dog who's been transformed into an adoptable pet, but it's also painful to watch them continue to spend years here because no one adopts them. Please, choose to adopt.

I love animals! Plain and simple. I've always felt like I've been given a special gift to understand them and for them to understand me. I love that bond. That friendship. Living in Romania I see so many poor dogs living on the streets with no home and I just wanted to help them. When I found out about ROLDA, I knew this was my chance. ROLDA does amazing work to help animals, but they also care about people. After I lost my home, Dana offered me a home on the premises and I am forever grateful for her. In a way, I am happier because day and night I am always surrounded by the people and animals I care so much about.

I used to work in a farm, mainly with big animals like cows and horses, but they were always treated well, so it has definitely been a challenge working with scared and abused dogs. It breaks your heart at first, I mean, I think it always will, but when you see the changes they go through at ROLDA, I am grateful to be here.

Having a farm, my two kids have grown up around many animals and are big animal lovers like myself. My youngest daughter is a huge dog lover, in particular, also like myself. I believe in what ROLDA is doing and I wanted to be a part of that, so I help out as much as I can, and I encourage others to do the same…in any way they can!

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.

2013 November 21 is a date we will never forget : It’s the day where our little “Pantera” passed away; she reached almost 16 years and had suffered from Diabetes. But November 21 is also a positive date, where Greta and Panduta arrived in Switzerland, thanks to the efforts of Lolita Morena and her friends.You, the staff, the volunteer’s and supporters of ROLDA are doing a great job. Hopefully we can contribute a little bit by spreading the word.

Wow I just looked on your page it brought tears to my eyes with happiness , your work, mission and most of all those children being involved is a crucial part of changing animals lives .Those children will be the building block and hopefully they can change the way people treat animals so important that they are involved. I also love all your ideas for the shelter, and how large so lots of doggies can be helped. Just great stuff to see. Good luck with your amazing work.

In a village on the outskirts of Galati, beyond the steel mill, beyond the end of the paved roads, Dana Costin had constructed the first Romanian League in Defense of Animals dog shelter as a monument to optimism. At a time when almost every other “animal shelter” in Romania was a grim canine concentration camp, where depressed dogs deprived of the opportunity to live by their wits starved, fought, and sometimes even lost hope, the ROLDA shelter was a safe, happy place.

The first time I read about ROLDA I knew in my spirit that this organization was the real deal. Your work to alleviate the suffering of innocent animals struck my heart. I pray that your work continues and grows. May God bless you for your compassion and dedication.

I am so pleased to help, in some small way, the magnificent work you do in saving the lives of abused, abandoned dogs living in appalling conditions and often near death. Bringing them some semblance of happiness with food and shelter is reward in itself, feeling sorry for their plight is not enough, you have to commit to helping them. Sincere thanks for the wonderful work you do, you are making all the difference to their lives. THANK YOU.

Jeg har kjent Dana (grunnleggeren av ROLDA);i flere år nå, og hjelper henne bla. med å oversette tekster til norsk. Hun er en fantastisk dame med det største hjertet som fines. Jeg stoler uforbeholdent på hennes dømmekraft og vet at hun har gjort det umulige mulig gang på gang. Verden trenger flere mennesker som henne! Jeg hjelper ROLDA med oversettelse av tekst fra engelsk til norsk fordi de gjør et utrolig viktig arbeid for hjemløse dyr i Romania. Det er ikke alltid man har mulighet til å støtte alle organisasjoner man gjerne skulle hjulpet økonomisk, så det er godt å kunne bidra på andre måter!