Mika's Story
Last year my life was improved immeasurably by two small dogs who were rescued from the harsh streets of Bulgaria. Mika was found on the streets with a litter of four small puppies. She had given birth alone in an old greenhouse. After loosing two of her babies to the local gypsy children who almost certainly will have killed them she battled on with her remaining two. Finally a kind local brought her to the attention of Help Bulgaria Street Cats and Dogs. She was taken in, given veterinary attention, food, love and a warm safe place to stay. Her daily battle to survive was over....she is one of the lucky few.
As soon as I seen Mika's picture on their website I knew. She was going to be a part of my life. I had to persuade my partner (which was not so hard in the end) and eventually she arrived with her daughter Molly, too. HBSCAD made everything happen for these two and gave them a second chance at life. Mika's other puppy George is also safe in a loving new home with a wonderful family in the UK.
Giving Back
After seeing the work this amazing charity does first hand I started to support them as much as I could. I learnt that the charity was started by a British couple Michelle and Barry who retired over in Bulgaria and took in a couple of local stray dogs.....fast forward a few years and they now take in as many as they can, treat them for the horrific injuries they often have as a result of people who regard them as vermin. Not all Bulgarians are cruel to animals, but many are and street dogs and cats face an almost guaranteed future of starvation, disease, pain and suffering. Even those who have homes are often treated appallingly.
But there is hope for these defenceless animals with Michelle, Barry and Jan doing all they can. They try to never turn away an animal in need, rescuing dogs from the local government run 'shelters' which are complete hell holes, rescuing horses and ponies, sponsoring dogs they saved from the meat trade in Thailand, feeding those street dogs and cats they can not take in. These people are true heroes who ask for nothing more than support for the animals they try to help. A retirement spent indulging their dreams was not for them, instead they have given their home, money and time to dedicate the rest of their lives to giving these animals a voice.
But there has always been the challenge of where to house the dogs and cats they rescue, often relying on expensive local dog hotels which not only drains their funds but poses a challenge should the dog hotel close or no longer wants to work with the charity. This happened recently and now the charity are in a position where they have hundreds of dogs that are at a real and worrying risk of being returned to the streets because their dog hotel has given them notice that all dogs must be out by the end of February.
It is winter in Bulgaria, and the winters are harsh. HBSCAD have secured a large barn that will hold all the dogs and more, it requires refurbishment before the dogs can move in. But it will give them the security they need for their dogs, that they will be safe and warm until loving forever homes can be found.
I am appealing to all the wonderful animal lovers out there, and I know we outnumber those who want to hurt these beautiful and loyal souls, to give as much as they can afford to support this amazing and selfless charity to refurbish their barn for these rescued dogs and cats. The total is such a small amount for the lives of the thousands of animals they will save in the coming months and years.
Please please help me reach this target. Any amount you give will make a difference and ALL money will go directly to the refurbishment. I will share pictures of the finished project if we can raise the funds to help them.
I know we can do this, lets give these animals the future they deserve.
Thank you
P.S. for anyone who would like further information about the charity please do not hesitate to contact me, they are on Facebook, they are an NGO and their registered charity number is 176802025. There are numerous people who have worked with them and who can provide accounts of what they do.