Supporting Street Dogs in Romania

Last year, when my husband and I traveled to Romania—what I had imagined as an adventure through this mystical country of Transylvanian castles, dramatic mountain ranges, and a complex history—quickly became an emotional experience from the very first day.

On our initial drive outside of Bucharest, we began to notice stray dogs—not the kind of strays you might see in many countries, but animals clearly in desperate need of medical care. I quickly realized that a dog lying in the road was regarded much like roadkill, something easily ignored.

Many dogs captured my heart, but one in particular has stayed with

me. At a truck stop near the border of Romania and Bulgaria, we pulled over to gather our passports. As we stood there, a mother dog slowly limped toward me—her teats hanging low, her body little more than skin and bones. I had no food, no water, and no immediate way to help her. She simply stood and looked at me.

I cannot adequately describe how horrible I felt. Cars passed by without a second glance, their drivers utterly disinterested. I found myself unable to let the moment go.

We began researching rescue organizations, which proved difficult. In Romania, so-called “humane” shelters are not always humane; many unwanted animals are poisoned rather than protected.

After countless unanswered phone calls, I finally came across Romania Animal Rescue (RAR). When I called, a woman who spoke English answered on the very first ring.

That woman was Nancy Janes. Ironically, she lives in Livermore, California, and founded RAR more than twenty years ago. Nancy was extraordinarily kind. She asked detailed questions about the mother dog at the border and immediately offered to contact her volunteer network to see if someone could reach and help her.

On our way back to Bucharest, we were able to tour RAR’s animal hospital. It was an extraordinary experience—one I would encourage anyone traveling to Romania to witness firsthand.

Through the partnership of Nancy Janes and Romanian veterinarian Dr. Aurelian Stefan, RAR has grown into a remarkable organization. Each year, they rescue thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals, providing spay and neuter services, critical surgeries, and medical care. They train veterinarians from multiple countries and educate Romanian youth on the humane treatment of animals, helping to change attitudes for future generations.

In the near future, I will be hosting a fundraiser for Romania Animal Rescue in Truckee at Martis Camp. Anyone interested is welcome to reach out. Susan Stilwell sstilwell@comcast.net

Susan Stilwell, Mollie’s mother.  Mollie, who is a rescued mixed cattle dog and pit bull, is an adoring buddy of Lilith, who has done a phenomenal job taming her reactivity!