Animal Rescue Sofia from Bulgaria
Seslavci pound dogs in Bulgaria
I’m online almost 16 hours a day. I find all sorts of things online. Sometimes funny dog stories. Some sad. This one came and got me tight in the throat. Animal Rescue Sofia is a young Bulgarian organization that unites the efforts of a wide group of professionals and volunteers trying to solve the problems related to homeless animals in Bulgaria.
The video I’ve linked to is a video from the municipal dog pound of Seslavci (a village near Sofia). This video is really tough to watch (yes I cried) but you must watch it to understand how bad homeless dog situation is around the world and not just around our homes here in Quebec. I think it’s always good to watch these to make you realize again how important Spay and Neuter is and how we still have a LONG way to go before animals are treated with respect and dignity.
Unger, desease, cannibalism, freezing cold or burning heat – there are many ways in which a dog can meet death in Seslavci. The puppy lifespan in Seslavci is between 1 and 10 days – even if they manage to avoid being eaten by their starving inmates – Distemper and Parvovirosis are permanent dwellers at the pound grounds.
If you know of anyone who said they wanted to buy a dog (god that sounds so bad even in writing) or wants to buy from a “breeder” (cause they think thats doing the right thing!!) have them watch this one video. It might change their mind.
You can visit Animal Rescue Sofia by clicking here.
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Poor, poor, babies. Among many other things, what really, really, disturbs me is the deplorable conditions that these puppies live in. This place is a rescue / shelter? I was very, very sickened by the amount of FECES everywhere. Does it cost money to pick up poop? Do they have to live in FILTH on top of all their other problems?? It breaks my heart, they all look so precious and sweet. Poor little sweethearts! Life really is unfair and tragic for too many animals and it is usually always at the hands of humans! I am very saddened.
Je suis vraiment triste et en colère de voir qu’en 2010 nous voyons encore des images comme celles-ci. Ces pauvres chiots sont dans des conditions vraiment lamentables. Je me sens tellement impuissante. Pourquoi ramasser des chiens et les mettre dans des enclos s’ils ne sont pas soigner convenablement même avec le strict minimum ?? Moi, je ne suis plus capable….
The rescue in the story is called Rescue Sofia. The images you see are from Seslavci in a city “pound” that is not to far from Rescue Sofia. What the volunteers from Rescue Sofia do is they go 3 times a week to take care of the dogs at the pound. They feed them and they build dog houses. They also take some away from the pound when they find people who want to adopt.
The problem are people who get dogs, don’t take care of them and then then dogs have puppies and then the puppies are either abandoned on the street or left to survive on their own at the Seslavci pound.
After all this, sadly, people still buy from pet shops and breeders….
Sadly, this is nowhere near the worst images I’ve seen…I watched the movie “Earthings” and it has really changed my life. It shows many different ways humans use animals as objects or for profit: puppy mills, the food industry, furs, science etc. It was nearly impossible to watch, most of the time you have to turn your head away, but I highly recommend it to anyone that remains oblivious to the animal cruelty in the world.
More and more people are starting to be aware but it still amazes me how some people can be so cruel, it breaks my heart. It’s hard to believe we are the most evolved species when we can’t even recognize other animals as living creatures as well.
I take comfort in knowing my 3 dogs (4 cats and 2 ferrets!) are spoiled rotten and loved, at least each and every one of us can make a small difference.
Re the poop ... we have to remember that these places are kept running mostly with Volunteers. If Animatch did not have people going to our Centre day in and day out picking up poop, it would definitely be a mess. The washer and dryer run constantly, the floors are washed daily (and often more than once), the water bowls are cleaned and filled every day. All of it is done by Volunteers who want to make the centre as close to a home-like environment as possible while our dogs wait for their home. And of course without Helen, none of this would even be happening. Volunteers do their best but people in general need to wake up .... dogs & cats MUST be spayed and neutered to stop the pet overpopulation. So, for people who don’t have the time at this point in their life to volunteer, they can at least spread the word and educate people. Spay/neuter is the way to go, and adoption is the ONLY option. So for those of you who are out there and have friends, family, and co-workers talking about getting a dog, you have a job to do.
So very well said Joanne - thanks David for the video - I cannot view it - I saved the footage of the Dalhouse SPCA puppy mill bust where our rescued Puppy Mill Mum came from. I fostered a litter from that Mill bust 63 pregnant mums and a dozen or so that had their litter - there were so many people who came forth wishing to adopt but sadly; the adoption request were for the puppies and not the Mums. We decided to adopt the little Yorkie Mum that we were fostering. The letter on the metal lobster cage she was held in was Q… so we named our furbaby… Lady Q. From that day on… October 2001 - I am an advocate of adoption via rescues and do not fear spreading the word wherever I go. Sadly, our Lady Q suffered a stroke on February 12/09 she was approx 13 years old…. her ashes are home with us - gone but not forgotten.
I am so sorry for your lost… I know how hard it is. I’ve lost my 9 year old Lab mix from a stroke too. They happen so quickly. Now one of my dogs have a heart problem and it could happen anytime. Medication helps him and we try to enjoy every moment as much as possible. He doesn’t know about his problem. So we let him run and jump as much as he wants. He’s a strong little boy.
I wish everyone who thought about “buying” a dog would just stop for a second and think how much love any other rescue animal can bring to a family. Old, small, big, ugly or skinny… They all need the same attention. Sadly still a lot of people have dogs as a symbol of fashion and pride. You should see me walking my Newfoundland, Schnauzer and Yorkie down the street. They all look completely different… and I adopted them when they were around 6 years old. I don’t care if they don’t have the perfect ears, or the perfect dog grooming cut. They are perfect fit for our family and they still learned so much even after all they went through. Older dogs can always learn new tricks and behaviours. And thinking that an older dog will die “sooner” just because it’s old is just being selfish. If an older dog needs a good home for 1 month before he dies, then bring him to me. I’ll make sure it’s the best month he’ll ever live… I think that is what all animal on this earth deserve.
Older dogs rule!
So rite David, imagine going life never knowing what love is. That is unimaginable…Our whole family was with Lady Q when she was euth. - our family Vet said that Lady Q didn’t have an easy life for the first 5 - 7 years of her life but boys did we ever make up for it in the next 8 years. We did adopt again via Animatch on March 27, 2009 we adopted Flirt now kown as Camy. We drove 6 hrs to get her - an overnite in St.Jean sur Richelieu then 6 hrs to come back home. We would do it again ....
Dear David,
thanks so much for noticing our work!
The situation in Seslavci is horrid, but we will turn things arround. Bulgaria is a member of the EU - this barbarian concentration-camp is happening in an EU capital… this must stop and we will stop it.
We’re hoping to find support in our current campaign: http://arsofia.com/one
Give us a hand if you can
And if you can’t - we still appreciate you spreading the word about us!
Animatch is a great site - the idea is so clever, we should try to do the same in Bulgaria.
Best regards
Stella
My pleasure Stella.
What you are doing to help those dogs is amazing.
Your actions deserve to be sent to the world.
I’ll definitely be donating for your current campaign.
If you need some help with your website let me know.
I designed and programmed animatch.ca so I can definitely help you out.
Thanks for writing!
Hello my name is Aristea and i live in Saloniki in Greece.I want to buy one Yorkshire Terrie from Bulgary because in Greece are very expensive.There are anyone can help me.How much it cost??Where i must to go to buy the puppy??
Hello Aristea,
I’m sorry, but your comment here on this website is kind of shocking.
First of all, you do not BUY a dog… Never!
You ADOPT a dog. There are millions of animals looking for a family. You never go out BUYING an animal.
Secondly, we are a rescue group and the question you are asking it totally at the opposite of what we are trying to do here at Animatch.
Thirdly, we wouldn’t send a dog to Greece for adoption.
You should check with your local adoption shelters.
I strongly suggest you read about the huge responsibilities of owning a dog and also visit adoption website from Greece before thinking of buying an animal. Animals are for many years and the require a lot of attention and patience. Especially puppies.
Good luck and please be careful next time of what you post on websites like Animatch.
Hi David,
I don’t know about this one….I am wondering if maybe there was a miscommunication with Aristea…I am not sure that when she said: “I want to buy…” that she did not mean; “I want to GET a puppy” We can all say, we are going to GET a dog, etc. it does not necessarily mean that we are going to a PET SHOP to purchase one! I think that even when you ADOPT a dog, there is an exchange of money…so did you not BUY something??? It’s a word game, sometimes….What do you think?? You seemed really offended / bothered. I am not convinced that in this instance it was not due to a language difference, MAYBE??
Hi Debbie,
I do understand your point and I’ve also thought about it before posting what I said. I’m not offended, but I just think Aristea might not have taken the time to read what kind of website she was posting to (or what page she was also posting it to). When I see words like “expensive” “buy” and “puppy”, I tend to fall more on the side where the person really intends to buy a pure breed puppy and doesn’t really think about adoption. “Buy an old dog” maybe… I’m sure that in Greece, they have tons of stray dogs and adoption centres… If the puppies she is looking for is so expensive there, I’m sure he’s not from the pound or a shelter…
I’m sorry if I sounded rude. My goal was mostly to make the Aristea realize what she just posted on a dog rescue website in a blog page that talks about abandoned dogs from Bulgaria. Is it really the place to inquire about buying a puppy?
If I’m wrong, then I’m sorry Aristea… I misread your question.
An update…there is no communication problem with the story that I am about to tell you here…for months I “helped” my co-worker look for a pet on different rescue sites, including Animatch. She had told me her criteria, an older, non-shedding dog, etc. etc. We discussed my very, very strong position against buying a dog at a pet store, she assured me that she would NOT go that route…and then, what does she do??? Comes in one Monday morning telling me that she is now the proud owner of a PUPPY (she is gone all day) and guess where she got it? At a PET STORE!!!...I was LIVID and expressed this to her. We have not talked much since, and because we are the only 2 woman working in a 4 person office and sit next to each other, this has become, very, very ackward! I have since not even asked her about her dog and how things are going…I cannot bring myself to. I am just so MAD! I am not judging, nor being opinionated. There is absolutely, no good excuse, argument or reason, to buy a dog at a Pet Store and encourage and support Puppy Mills!!! Sorry, it’s been 2 weeks and I am still going nuts! Advice for me, anyone???
We discussed my very, very strong position against buying a dog at a pet store, she assured me that she would NOT go that route…and then, what does she do??
I moved to Bulgaria two years ago and now have two rescue dogs. My first one is a Min Pin whose coat does not lay right so she was not wanted as a show dog. She was a 6 mth old pup when I took her on. She is funny, loving and my best friend! The second one is a Manchester Terrier. He was a rescue dog that was well loved and then unintentionally abandoned here when his owner went to England for a holiday and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His owner was frantic for his dog’s welfare but I was happy to take him on, not because I am great but because I thought he was fluffy! He isn’t but he stole my heart and I love the pair of them dearly. As for dogs/puppies in shops, someone has to take care of them. Debbie, if your friend looked into a little dogs eyes and thought ‘I can look after that little one for the rest of it’s life’ is it really so bad? Maybe she needs to do that so that she is ready to go the rescue route. Many people think that having a rescue dog is very difficult. They think rescue dogs bite and poo and misbehave. Why else would they be abandoned? I know it is rubbish as do you, but we have to move slowly. I started on that route. Bought a dog from a breeder for my kids and have had rescue dogs ever since!! Let her put her toes in the water her own way. She may put you to shame!!!!