How Network for Animals helped animals in September.

Among our September highlights were the launching of life-saving sterilization and vaccination campaigns across South Africa, East Africa and the Middle East, and our vital work in Ukraine war zones. We are also proud of saving the life of a pregnant donkey and rehoming two rescue dogs from Albania. Every animal life matters. None of this would be possible without the generosity of animal-lovers like you. Here's a sneak peek at the animals YOU helped last month.

Albania 🇦🇱

Two rescue dogs rehomed and a fight against state-sponsored slaughter

In Albania, street dogs are treated as little more than ‘filthy pests’ who must be exterminated. Every year, countless dogs are tortured, poisoned and brutally slaughtered. Shockingly, the state is the worst offender. In a cruel bid to ‘clean’ the streets before large public events and tourist seasons, municipalities round up stray dogs, transport them to rural areas, and poison them en masse. 

Our partner, Dandi Animal Rescue Mission (DARM), fights to save these vulnerable animals. DARM rescues dogs and finds them safe, loving homes.

Thanks to your generosity, we were recently able to relocate two of DARM’s rescue dogs – Kita and Mimi – to forever homes in Belgium and France. Your donations gave these two sweet survivors the chance to leave the nightmare of Albania’s streets behind and embrace a safe future filled with compassion. 

But that’s not all – your support is also helping us confront the state’s senseless slaughter of street dogs. We are pushing the authorities for better protection for street animals. Your donations cover essential veterinary costs and provide vital legal and lobbying assistance to fight for the dogs who remain at risk in Albania. 

Read the original article on Kita and Mimi’s relocation here.

Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦

Launching a life-saving sterilization and vaccination campaign for 350 vulnerable dogs

In violent, gang-controlled areas of Cape Town, South Africa, dogs and puppies endure unimaginable suffering – starved, beaten, chained and often forced to fight to the death for barbaric ‘entertainment.’ Sterilizations and vaccinations are critical in breaking this cycle of suffering. Without intervention, the dog population spirals out of control, leading to even more neglect and the rampant spread of diseases like parvo and distemper.

Our partner, Fallen Angels, received a grant to sterilize 175 dogs in the crime-riddled area of Atlantis, where they conduct weekly feeding and rescue missions. However, we wanted to help them make an even bigger difference by matching this number, enabling them to sterilize up to 350 dogs while also providing life-saving vaccinations against parvo and distemper.

We successfully sterilized and vaccinated 350 dogs in Atlantis. Your generosity has brought hope to these desperate animals, offering them a chance at a healthier, happier life.

Read the original article here.

East Africa and the Middle East

World Rabies Day 2024 was a HUGE success!

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet, claiming the lives of thousands of dogs each year. The horror begins with a single bite, and within days, the infected dog is overwhelmed by weakness, seizures, difficulty breathing and a terrifying descent into madness or paralysis. But the suffering doesn’t stop there. In poverty-stricken areas where awareness is limited, fear of rabies often drives people to desperate and brutal mass culling – tragically targeting dogs that aren’t even infected.

In celebration of World Rabies Day on 28 September, we joined forces with our partners – Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organization (LAZAWO), Kenya Society for the Protection of Animals (KSPCA) and Al Rahmeh – in the high-risk regions of Tanzania, Kenya and Jordan to launch life-saving vaccination campaigns. Thanks to your support, we successfully vaccinated over 5,000 dogs, helping to protect both animals and communities from this deadly disease. 

Your generosity has made a real difference this World Rabies Day. Thank you for standing with us and protecting animals in East Africa and the Middle East.

Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X pages for an exciting video update, coming soon!

Read the original article here.

Ukraine 🇺🇦

Getting animal rescue vehicles back on the road and saving lives in war-torn Ukraine

In September, we told you about 124 desperate cats stranded on the frontlines of the Ukrainian war. Our partner, Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), was ready to launch immediate rescue missions, but all five of its vehicles had been rendered unusable – damaged by direct enemy attacks and riddled with bullet holes.

As Russian advances continue to devastate peaceful communities in the Donbas region, families are forced to flee, leaving hundreds of animals to fend for themselves amid air strikes and bomb blasts. We reached out to you with an urgent appeal to help repair three of ARK’s rescue vehicles so they could get back on the road and continue saving lives.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to help repair the vehicles and launch the critical rescue missions needed to save these vulnerable animals. You have been a true hero for animals with no-one else to turn to amid this relentless war.

Read the original article here.

Limpopo, South Africa 🇿🇦

Saving three donkey lives with one operation

Margot, a pregnant donkey, and her one-year-old daughter Mirabelle were found near death in Bela Bela, Limpopo, after Margot was hit by a car. Malnourished and in severe pain from a fractured leg bone, Margot was struggling to survive. Her daughter, deeply distressed and suffering from an eye condition, stayed by her side.

Our partner, Rest Ur Ass, rushed them to safety. Margot was heavily pregnant and about to give birth, but she needed a crucial and expensive surgery – without a custom pin for her leg, she would have to be euthanized. Mirabelle also needed specialized care, as she was showing signs of severe trauma. 

Thanks to supporters like you, Margot’s life-saving surgery is being scheduled! All three donkeys now have a chance at a happy future in a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their lives in safety and comfort. Your support has saved three donkey lives – thank you. 

Read the original article here.

Latest Updates

Cape Town, South Africa – Langa the rescue dog has found her forever home! After Langa was hit by a car in a gang-ridden township in South Africa, a kind-hearted soul rushed her to our partner, PlumPets, for immediate care. Our supporter’s donations covered the cost of her emergency surgery, as well as corrective surgery for her congenital hip defect. Less than a year later, Langa was ready to find her forever home – and today, she is living her best life with her new family in Johannesburg, along with two other rescues. Thank you for helping us make a life-changing difference to this lucky girl. Read more.

Trebinje, Herzegovina – Blind street dog Simo now has a forever home. Found under a trash can, sick and struggling to survive with useless eyes, Simo was rescued by our team and rushed to safety. After recovering at the Azil Danica shelter we built in Trebinje, Simo is now healthy and happy in his new home, all thanks to you. Read more.

Aqaba, Jordan – 600 rescue dogs get a chiller room to store their food. Our supporters’ donations funded the purchase and installation of a chiller room for our partner, Al Rabee Shelter in Jordan. Now, the shelter can safely store the almost 900 pounds (400kg) of food they need for their 600 dogs each day. Read more.

In the News

How to keep your cat happy while on vacation. Read more.

Thank you for being a friend and hero to desperate, vulnerable animals worldwide in September. Though they can’t speak for themselves, we know in our hearts that they are eternally grateful for your support – and so are we.