When SPCA International launched the Shelter of the Week Program it was our goal to help animal organizations that struggle with funding, but have an over abundance of spirit and determination to make this world a better place for all creatures. When we learned about Help Labus we found an organization that certainly meets these goals.

The organization opened its shelter in December 2007, to help deal with a very serious pet overpopulation situation in the town of Galati, located in the eastern part of Romania. A drive through the city means seeing mostly stray dogs hanging out in groups on nearly every street. Some of the dogs survive fairly well, especially if there is someone who on occasion dumps some table scraps in the gutter or on the back porch for them to eat. But there are too many that struggle continuously to find food. Each day it’s a challenge for them to remain alert to avoid being hit by cars whose drivers make no effort to avoid a dog crossing the street. When these animals get sick or are injured they have a hard time getting back on their feet, if they even manage to stay alive.

A group of dedicated volunteers established Help Labus. Before they opened the Help Labus shelter facility, these volunteers would make regular trips to a store similar to Sam’s Club to collect food for the starving animals in their area. With their own money and a few donations they purchased stale bread, expired cookies and bones with almost every morsel of meat removed. It is hard to believe that food which would end up in a dumpster here in the states couldn’t be given away for free. The volunteers tried to buy dry dog food too, but there was hardly ever enough money to buy as much as necessary. None of the substandard foods were suitable nutrition for a healthy dog, but the volunteers knew the only alternative was totally empty bellies.

Soon enough, the volunteers were able to collect enough public donations to supplement their own personal funds in order to buy land for the Help Labus shelter. The organization receives no funding from the government, even though they are providing a valuable and necessary service for the community. Donating to an animal organization is a new concept to many people in Romania, so public donations are scarce. With what donations they do receive they pay four full-time employees, $213 a month each, which is the country’s minimum wage. The volunteers still purchase food from the same store, but now they are able to buy dry dog food much more often.

In just under a year the shelter can already house up to 450 dogs and 70 cats and there is still more space to expand on the existing property. Building the dog runs took a great deal of ingenuity and reaching out to people who were willing to donate supplies and their skills. When you look at the pictures of the shelter you can see the creativity that went into it. The way they improvised to create dog houses is brilliant. It just proves how much a group of dedicated people, with a common goal and a never-give-up attitude can accomplish, in spite of having little or no money. The shelter does not compare to state-of-the-art facilities in the United States, but when you consider what the alternatives are, Help Labus is doing great work. It is amazing to see the safe haven these dedicated individuals have built in less than a year.

Now that the shelter is open, there is still a lot more work to be done to improve the facility. With the $1,000 grant from SPCA International, Help Labus plans to pave the ground and put a roof over the outside runs so the dogs will have more protection this winter. Additional donations from individuals, like you, would certainly help too. If you are interested in making an individual donation directly to Help Labus, please Contact Us.

The short term goals of Help Labus include expanding their adoption program. In the past year they have only been able to adopt 15 dogs, but they have lots of new ideas to increase that number this year. The organization also hopes to offer the community low cost spay and neuter and a vaccination program as they grow.

Help Labus is facing some huge challenges, but as one of the volunteers said, “We have a big responsibility caring for so many innocent lives, so we need any help we can get.”