Independently funded shelters - UPDATED 2 march 2012

In a country such as Romania, where there’s a desperate need for animal welfare movements, independent, non-government associations and organizations, as well as individual people are a small, yet driving force for the improvement of the well being of strays. It also brings, slowly yet (in the end) inevitably, a change in overall attitudes towards the canine population. Process is always slow in countries like this, but it is there.

For instance, one town in Romania – Oradea – seems to have gotten its act together long enough to actually do something successful about the stray dog population. In 2003, there were an estimated 7000 stray dogs in Oradea. In 2010 there were less than 700, all as a result of a well-organized “catch, sterilize and release” program conducted jointly by the city and a local NGO (non-government organization). http://www.sosdogs.ro/sosdogs.php?act=viewdoc&docid=1&la=3

Now there is a county we all can refer to as an example, a pioneer, an existing proof for the skeptics that catch/neuter/return is a functioning system and solution to the stray problem.

Even when the corrupt people running the show manage to downplay the results, the pressure put by, most importantly, the locals, as well as global condemnation and EU (which will happen eventually – Eurogroup for Animals, for instance, has made progress in getting the European Council to include companion animals as part of the next Animal Welfare Action Plan). Again, the process is slow, but it is happening.



Shelters run by independent people/organizations/associations

For some reason, I've always been a bit wary when it comes to big organizations. Mostly because a big chunk of the money donated actually goes into other parts of "the big wheel" of the organization - without the donator really having any knowledge where. However, I do understand that in order to get visibility, campaigns etc, money is needed. But misuse of funds donated, corruption and lack of transparency unfortunately darkens trust in organizations where "big" money is involved. With small associations or independent people, it is easier to build trust, to talk directly to the people involved and have your money go where it's supposed to go. That's my personal experience, at least.

But, as always when dealing with people, caution is advised.

The way I see it, bigger associations/organizations, in addition to personal donations, should focus on getting companies and businesses (+ government funding etc) to sponsor them and what they do, as well as apply for grants from different grant foundations ( http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/nonprofits/ ). This way they will gain more visibility and awareness, as well as make an even greater impact with their cause.

With smaller associations the chances for approved sponsorships (by companies etc) and grants are much more difficult. They rely almost entirely on donations from independent people to do what they do.

Trustworthy Associations

The associations and shelters this blog is going to promote are all "backed up" by reliable Finnish registered associations, one of them being Pelastetaan Koirat ry - dedicated to the welfare of strays in Estonia, as well as changing people's attitudes towards animals, both in Finland and Estonia, and dog adoptions. Pelastetaan Koirat ry's ideology has always been to help where help is most needed, and has recently extended its help to Romania.

A need-to-read Bulletin from PK (Pelastetaan Koirat ry) mostly to Finnish citizens (but it applies to all:

Rescue Associations point out: There are always risks associated with private imports of rescued dogs (meaning dogs imported to Finland privately, not through any associations).  

 More and more Finns want to get a rescue dog from a shelter they've found via Facebook or some other social media. The dog that melted your heart might not be from a shelter supported by the Finnish Associations. In this case, the proper knowledge on rules and regulations, i.e necessary procedures, vaccinations, import regulations etc needed might be unfamiliar to the person/shelter you're getting the dog from. Often the people sending the dog are poorly informed on admission requirements.
 
The risk is higher when there is a lack of close co-operation between the people involved. You might end up scammed, or risk bringing dangerous diseases to Finland. Regulations are there for a good reason.
 
Kodittomien koirien ystävät ry and Pelastetaan Koirat ry  are concerned about the growing trend to adopt a homeless dog from abroad without the expert help of the associations. "Unfortunately, the phenomenon is more about good will and good intentions than know-how," says Salla Honkapää from Pelastetaan Koirat ry.


"The Adoption program is the outcome of in-depth work. That's why we visit the locations and the dogs many times, negotiating and agreeing on all the important points on paper," said Kodittomien Koirien Ystävät ry's spokeswoman Marianna Lammi. "Only then we can begin to work."

"The health program is being developed and updated constantly to ensure the continuation of the dog rescue operation, so that it does not compromise the disease situation in Finland. These important pieces of safety structure are missing when adopting outside the organizations", Salla Honkapää continues.

This may be forgotten, as the foreign animal welfare associations and dog kennels inform actively about their activity on the Internet. Facebook equalizes everyone to look like animal welfare experts.

When recorded into the Traces-system, the dog has been imported legally
 
In reality, private importation differs quite a lot from importation via registered Evira Associations. For example, each dog is reported to the Traces-system, which requires an official veterinary inspection.

Associations follow Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's - and thereby the European Union's - import regulations concerning dog tag markings, rabies vaccinations and echinococcus treatment. Even more importantly, the associations know what other measures are required, and how extensive they should be.
 
"We are being asked almost weekly about the requirements for the importation of dogs from Romania to Finland. Formalities are taken seriously. However, they are still insufficient for ensuring the dogs health. Why this is and how to ensure it is for many foreign entities not clear. The health program in Romania should include rabies-, leptospirosis-, and 'quadruple'-vaccines, as well as a number of parasite tests. Not everyone has the necessary resources needed to do this," says Marianna Lammi.
 
Pity is not a reason
 
While co-operating, the Finnish association and the foreign party will learn about each other's "dog culture". The dog may be healthy by romanian standards, even though it might suffer from pain, and have unexplained skin problems. In Finland, many new facts about the dogs' health might be discovered, which at worst may be harmful to others as well as the dog itself.

Adoption also doesn't fit all dogs, but this may be forgotten when wanting to rescue a dog urgently to the security and warmth of a home.
"The association holds responsibility even after the transfer of ownership of the dog. The follow-up and support for the dogs adoptive family is an integral part of the adoption process. For a privately imported dog, the person is all alone," says Sally Honkapää.
 
"We are obviously pleased that Finns are open to adopt a homeless dog from abroad. Pity is still not reason enough to do it. We believe that a suitable dog fitting ones own life situation can also be found through responsible rescue organization sites. If not, we strongly suggest that the adopter personally retrieves the dog from its country of origin in order to guarantee the safety first-hand. This requires expertise," underlines Kodittomien Koirien Ystävät ry.
 
Both of these associations point out that the general public doesn't know how to distinguish between private rescue operations and rescue operations carried out by the associations, making it also about the reputation of the rescue dog programs. "If even one sick dog arrives to Finland from Romania, all rescue dogs will be stigmatized. No one will bother to ask who brought the dog to Finland", Honkapää says.

How to identify a reliable operator?
 
• The association is registered at Evira as a commercial importer of dogs.
• The Association registers all dogs into the Traces-system, and complies with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's admission requirements.
• The Association presents publicly a program in which the health situation of the dogs is examined as accurately as possible.
• The association describes the dog looking for a home realistically, informing that the personality of the dog may differ in the new home. A responsible association does not promise anything that can't be promised, like the dogs being perfectly healthy.
• The association does not force or hurry you to make a decision on dog adoption.