What happened to Bliss is almost too cruel to comprehend. While mowing the lawn, his owner ran over Bliss’s back leg, slicing it off – but instead of seeking help, the owner heartlessly dumped him.
Bliss was saved by our partner shelter, Azil Prijatelji in Čakovec, a quiet corner of Croatia.
Without our partner, this helpless dog would have died alone.
This remarkable animal shelter fights every day to care for over 400 dogs and puppies – most of whom were rescued from horrific cruelty, just like Bliss.
Many of the dogs come from nearby Roma camps, where abuse, neglect, and unthinkable cruelty are all too common. Here, dogs are beaten, used in dog fighting rings, starved and abandoned. Every single dog at Azil Prijatelji has a story of heartbreak.
Credit: Azil Prijatelji Cakovec
We were there when Bliss arrived, not long after surgery, the stitches still new where his leg used to be. He is the cutest thing imaginable and clearly loves humans. He wriggles with pleasure when held and is constantly licking his rescuers – that is, when he is not licking the sore place where his leg used to be.
At the shelter, Bliss was nursed back to health and was fortunate enough to find a forever home – but there are still more than 400 dogs and puppies just like Bliss who were rescued from abominable cruelty, and who are still looking for a loving home of their own.
With limited funds, the shelter’s enclosures are falling apart and are a hazard to the precious animals living there. Credit: NFA/David Barritt/Justine Haralambous
Cute and cuddly Bliss was lucky enough to find his forever home – but for over 400 adult dogs, the shelter will likely be the only safe home they’ll ever know.
When Bliss arrived, he joined over 30 other puppies at the shelter, and while my team was in action, three more were rescued in a single day. For the tiniest ones, there’s hope of adoption. But for the 400+ adult dogs, their size is their curse – many people want a cute puppy, but few are willing to take on an older dog. Their chances of adoption drop with every day they stay at the shelter.
Azil Prijatelji does wonderful things for dogs, but with hundreds of dogs and puppies to care for, the team is overwhelmed. Money is a constant worry and the puppies all need so much care and attention to ensure they grow up to be healthy and socialised, ready to join a loving family.
Our partner is a haven for over 400 dogs – but their home is falling apart around them.
With all their time and resources being poured into caring for the animals, the team simply doesn’t have the funds to repair the shelters – and right now, these old, rusting enclosures are posing a serious threat to the animals.
Despite the devoted efforts of the staff, these conditions are a daily risk to the animals they fight so hard to protect.
Credit: Azil Prijatelji Cakovec
We must build 30 new, safe enclosures before disaster strikes, while ensuring a high quality of care for puppies like Bliss. We are asking you – dog lover, animal warrior, friend – to help us raise enough to give the puppies and dogs the care they deserve.
Credit: NFA/David Barritt
