They do extraordinarily important work with extreme efficiency and compassion -- a rare balance. Working under extremely challenging conditions in Ukraine as well as Romania and Italy, they save animals' lives AND improve humans'!
I'm a french vet student and I volunteered in Romania in July 2022. It was an inspiring experience and I learned so many things about stray dogs and cats and the things we can do to help them. I met people from a lot of different countries and it was wonderful to see how much these different persons could work together to improve the situation ! It was also an occasion to discover the beauty of this country. Footprint of joy is perfect for every students looking for an internship in which you can be useful, learn a lot of new things and discover a very rich culture. The staff is very nice, you are housed and it is not too much expensive for a student.
I have visited Footprints of Joy in Romania, and met with the staff of Save the Dogs on several occasions, and am impressed by the dedication and level of professionalism displayed. I have also adopted two dogs from this organization, and have nothing but positive words to say about the work and activities of Save the Dogs.
I have worked extensively over the last 8 months on the border zone in Isaccea, Romania helping with refugees coming across the Danube River from Ukraine. Every boat was greeted by a Save the Dogs person. Cats that arrived in wet, cold carboard boxes, were given crates, blankets, food. Dogs, cats and every animal (a couple parrots too) were fed and giving supplies. Their volunteers really understand how to interact with animals (and People). Imagine how nervous and traumatized the pet owners were in this situation. The Save a Dog team at the border were an inspiring group to get to know and see in action.
It's difficult to step out of one's comfort zone, but my experience at Save the Dogs was well worth traveling from Washington DC to distant Romania. Truthfully, as I was leaving the USA, I regretted my decision. But when my volunteer time at Save the Dogs was over, I didn't want to go home!
New friends, new culture, new learning, and being able to help in many small and large ways, made my stay "the hardest adventure I ever enjoyed".
From the first steps that I took entering the Save the Dogs Shelter in Romania, I knew this is a great place! The energy surrounding the shelter is overwhelming, sending the clear message that every piece of life is treated with respect and care, from plants to animals and people.
My volunteering experience is from afar the best I had until now. I was able to get involved in various activities from helping around at the Donkey and Horses Sanctuary, get involved in the reception of the clinic, following a family of kittens during their first weeks in the shelter and many other various activities. All of these makes me strongly believe that Save the Dogs and Other animals is a place where you learn a lot and find your place and peace easily.
An excellent, inspiring and incredibly well-run shelter in a poor area of Romania. Save the Dogs and other Animals is a remarkable venture that would not have existed without the vision, sheer perseverance, courage, commitment and talents and love for animals of Sara Turetta, a former Italian advertising exec who in 2000 saw a horrific TV report on dogs being culled in Romania. That report changed the course of not only her life, but the lives of thousands and thousands of dogs, cats, donkeys etc over the next 20 years. Not only has she and her Save the Dogs and other Animals managed to save countless lives, offer shelter and a home, and offered thousands of dogs for adoption abroad, she is even changing attitudes to animals and animal welfare in Romania, which 30 years after communism ended, still bears the trauma of 40 odd years of communism.