BRINGING WATER THERAPY
TO MOLDOVA’S STREET DOGS

raising funds to BUY Doctor Vet Moldova a canine hydrotherapy pool! This will help countless dogs who survived the harsh streets.

A few weeks ago, I spent some time in Moldova with Doctor Vet Moldova and FOUR PAWS. This is my second trip there. I am hosting this fundraiser to support the incredible work these two organizations do. 100% of the funds will be donated to support Moldova’s stray dogs.

The need in this small, poor country is great, with over 20,000 stray dogs roaming the streets of the capital alone. There are very few rescue organizations helping the dogs, and with near zero adoption culture, nowhere for the dogs to go.

FOUR PAWS and Doctor Vet Moldova have partnered to address this situation. Using a CNVR approach (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return), they catch dogs, treat them, and when the team decides it is the best option for the dogs, they are released back on the street. The sick or injured ones are treated and not put back on the street if they couldn’t survive on their own.

This a really interesting approach, which allows for a humane control of the dog population, while respecting that some of these dogs are most comfortable on the street and would not do well in a shelter environment or a home - not to mention, the few Moldova shelters are full. But it also means that Doctor Vet Moldova always has injured, senior, and sick dogs in their care, and they are in desperate need of our support.

Life on the street can be rough for these doggies, who weave through busy traffic and can sometimes face immense cruelty. While I was visiting, the team rescued a dog who had been purposely poisoned, something that happens regularly. Other dogs come in with bullet wounds or having been hit by a car. The clinic treats many paralyzed dogs, and has many senior dogs in their care who, after a lifetime on the street, are in great need of TLC.

With this fundraiser, I am hoping to help support Doctor Vet Moldova’s mission and the dogs they love so much, by gifting them a canine hydrotherapy pool.

Such a pool would cost about $5,000, a luxury expense this small clinic/rescue cannot afford on their own. But water therapy has immense proven benefits for injured dogs, dogs recovering from surgery, or elderly dogs suffering from joint and/or arthritis pain.

This pool will be their own SPA, a way to bring comfort and care to many of their dog patients, and a gift that will keep on giving for years to come!

You know how much I love supporting rescuers and showing them that they can do their work in dignity and good conditions. I admire the team at Doctor Vet Moldova. They are very dedicated to their mission, and kindheartd despite everything they face on the daily. I couldn't think of a more deserving team!

Thank you!
Sophie

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ADDITIONAL FUNDS

If donations surpass the initial $5,000 goal, further proceeds will go towards funding FOUR PAWS’ and Doctor Vet Moldova’s CVNR efforts, and providing blood transfusions to injured/poisoned dogs through plasmapheresis.

ABOUT FOUR PAWS AND DOCTOR VET MOLDOVA

Doctor Vet Moldova is a vet clinic based in Chisinau, which also runs an animal shelter. FOUR PAWS is an international animal welfare organization based in Austria. They have wonderful dog programs all over the world. In December 2020, FOUR PAWS launched their mission to help address the stray dog problem in Moldova. At the time, they reported that more than 20,000 stray dogs were roaming Moldova’s capital of Chisinau and were continuing to multiply with no real system in place to manage the ever-growing dog population. They partnered with Doctor Vet Moldova and together, they are tackling this issue using a CNVR approach (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return), which means healthy street dogs who can survive on their own, are returned to the street.

ABOUT SOPHIE GAMAND, FUNDRAISER HOST

I am an award-winning artist, photographer, and animal advocate. I use my platform to speak for at-risk dogs around the globe and raise money to support the people who care for them. Learn more via SophieGamand.com. To stay in the loop, sign up for my newsletter.