By Violina Kirova | Senior Administrator
Reporting Period - 01.03.2024 - 31.05.2024
During the reporting period of March to May 2024, we continued our work with stray dogs and cats in Bulgaria, striving to help and find good homes for as many of them as possible. With the support of the donors of Animal Rescue Sofia, Franzisca Veterinary Clinic admitted for treatment 169 dogs and cats, while the vets also took care of the animals placed in “The Farm” shelter. A total of 1453 manipulations, treatments and surgeries were performed in March through May of 2024 and 35 dogs found their forever homes.
Here are just some of the stories of the dogs and cats that we helped during the reporting period:
Bubka
Bubka was a stray dog living in a village not far away from ARS shelter. She was brought to the clinic just for spaying. The veterinary examination revealed that she was in a pretty bad condition that did not allow her to undergo surgery on the same day or to be returned on the street afterwards.
Bubka had several mammary tumors, the biggest one also being ulcerous and causing her a great discomfort and probably a lot of pain. Bubka’s coat and skin were both in terrible condition, but what was really striking was her mental state – of a dog that was close to giving up.
It turned out the tumors were cancerous, but there were still no metastasis in any other body organs, so the tumors could be operated on. After a short stabilization period, Bubka was steady enough to undergo the surgeries. The first operation removed the biggest tumor and after a short recovery period, we could see a different dog – a dog that was again starting to enjoy life. A couple of weeks later, the remaining tumors were also removed. Bubka became stronger and stronger every day. Not before long, we came to know a changed, much younger-looking, lively dog. If the cancer doesn’t come back, Bubka has a long life ahead of her.
She is now happy and ready to meet adopters at the shelter. Bubka has a best friend – a golden retriever named Stacy. It’s endearing to look at them. Two girls that have both been on the verge of dying, but now again finding joy in little things - something delicious, a nice walk, a friend in play.
Plamen
Plamen came to us after being hit by a car. He was found by one of our colleagues who witnessed the accident. She saw the car passing by and the driver throwing the injured dog in the field, thinking he was dead. Our colleague went to check on the dog and found out that he was still breathing.
When he came to the shelter, Plamen was in shock, but apart from a mild craniocerebral trauma, he didn’t have any other fractures. His condition only required medical therapy and no surgeries.
Once he recovered from the initial shock, Plamen was vaccinated, microchipped and spayed.
As he was a small-sized and young dog, we believed he would quickly find a good home. He was however very timid and terrified by the lead, the walks, the people, pretty much everything. He needed some time to get used to the life in the shelter, but with the love and care of our team, he quickly flourished and gained confidence. He has also been given a lot of attention by our behaviourists and he is now very far from the timid and shy dog that he was at the beginning.
Plamen is now fully prepared to become pet. He is waiting for his adopters at the shelter.
Emir
Emir was found shot and bleeding in an abandoned school in a village in eastern Bulgaria. Luckily, none of the bullets had inflicted any dangerous injuries. The people who found him took him to a nearby clinic where the wounds were treated and the X-rays confirmed that he had no broken bones. When Emir was admitted to ARS clinic, we found out that he was suffering from heartworm, but the cardiologist examination revealed that the illness was at an initial stage that had not yet caused damages to the heart. This meant that we could timely and successfully treat the disease. The admission tests and examination also revealed that Emir had a parasitic disease, as well as some sediment in the bile which required further medical treatment. At ultrasound it became evident that he also had some changes in the structures of the kidneys, but fortunately no kidney disease that would affect his quality of life.
It was obvious that Emir was not a young dog, not even a middle-aged dog, but rather above 10 years of age. Despite his old age, once cared and treated, he showed us a personality that was as lively and energetic as that of a puppy. At the same time, we were fully aware that being a 10-year-old dog would not make him a likely adoption candidate. That was why we worked very hard to make all visitors see what a kind, balanced and good-natured dog Emir was. He is so well-behaved that he doesn’t need too much of a training either.
Emir is now doing great in the shelter, eager to meet adopters and longing to go to a forever home.
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