1998

Dana rescued her first dog, Printz, from illegal dog fights. He was a mix-German Shepherd who opened Dana’s eyes to the cruelty facing millions of dogs in Romania.

1999

Dana established ROLDA, the first group of animal rescuers in Galati (the 5th largest city located in the southeast of Romania, which had approximately 30.000 strays). The public pound, built during communist times, where dogs were routinely electrocuted and skinned alive, was still active. There was no sterilization program in place.

2001

ROLDA secured their first celebrity endorsement, Beatrice Welles, the daughter of the famous actor Orson Welles and she generously financially sustained our rescue actions.

2002

Printz died because of liver problems. A few months later, Dana adopted Boss, a mix Saint Bernard with major behavioral problems, due to the conditions he was living in. Had Dana not adopted him, he otherwise would have been euthanised. Same year, ROLDA secured an agreement with a local vet to begin an intensive sterilisation campaign in Galati city.

2003

ROLDA purchased land in the village of Smardan (near Galati) in order to build what it is today, our first small sanctuary. Same year, ROLDA completed first kennels inspired by British wood model dog sheltering.

2004

Construction of the small sanctuary began: the first block of 10 kennels is built, inspired by the British model (with insulated indoor areas, outdoor areas and running spaces) and a small house for operational staff and volunteers. Same year, ROLDA welcomed the visit of Animal People Magazine’ journalists from the USA which nominated ROLDA the best shelter amongst 17 others from all over Eastern Europe.ROLDA also received the first invitation to attend and speak at CHAMP International conference held in Orlando, Florida. The dog Bela joined Dana in her journey across the ocean and she became the first ROLDA dog adopted in the United States. Later same year, ROLDA completed the second block of 10 kennels.

2005

ROLDA team finished the shelter management training course organized by Dogs Trust UK. The same year, a group of vets visiting from the USA assisted our ROLDA vet to sterilise street dogs in Galati. In summer, Dana was invited to talk at the CHAMP International conference for the second time. The conference was held in San Diego, CA. Next, Dana attended training with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, facilitated by Mike Arms, a pioneer in the animal welfare industry. Later the same year, ROLDA launches a campaign against the dog cull organised by a local steel plant.

2006

In February, ROLDA Foundation becomes a registered NGO in Romania.
In March, Dana visited the UK to seek help with her mission in Romania. A mass sterilisation campaign is held in Galati and a US filming crew created a documentary about this event. Same year, Loretta Switt (”Hot Lips” from M.A.S.H. series) well known american activist for animals visited ROLDA shelter. On 4th of July, ROLDA became an incorporated charity in the United States under the name Romanian League in Defense of Animals, Inc. Same year, ROLDA purchased the land where the large dogs sanctuary is today.

2007

ROLDA began a partnership with the local giant steel producer to help humanely solve their stray dog population, estimated to 10.000 dogs. Soon after, construction of the large paddocks began, which are able to house hundreds of dogs. The only reason we agreed to build and manage a sanctuary at such a large scale was to save the dogs from being poisoned or killed in other brutal ways, as it happened until then in the steel plant. ROLDA rescue van was purchased along with humane catching equipment and we were able to hire more staff to help in our efforts.

2008

8 paddocks (80 kennels) from the total of 12 (which currently exist) were built at the large sanctuary.

2008
–
2015

Approx 10.000 stray (according to the steel plant management) were captured, feed, housed and rehabilitated when needed. A significant percentage was adopted across Europe in forever homes. During this period, using only humane methods, ROLDA was able to decrease the number of strays from the steel plant giant from 10.000 to 1.000.

2010

4 more paddocks were finished at the large sanctuary, reaching a total of 12 paddocks (120 kennels). Dana was invited as a speaker to a public event organized in Switzerland for ROLDA, there she met Lolita Morena, a celebrity animal activist who had and continues to have a profound impact on ROLDA activity. Same year, ROLDA started the renovation work at the small sanctuary.

2012

The spacious sanctuary for dogs is registered in TRACES. The building which will be equipped to function as a veterinary clinic was finished. After Romania and the United States, we open a new branch in Norway, under the name ROLDA – Gatehunder fra Romania. A team from NRK TV (National TV from Norway) visits both ROLDA sanctuaries.

2013

Lolita Morena visits ROLDA sanctuaries for the first time. Same year, Lolita organizes a protest in Geneva against the new legislation that permits killing of strays in Romania, Swiss media is invited. Later this year, ROLDA purchased additional land in the vicinity of the large sanctuary.

2014

ROLDA starts new branches in Switzerland (Association ROLDA Suisse), Sweden (Association ROLDA Sverige) and Australia (ROLDA Inc). New milestones completed: 250 dogs rehomed in Norway and 700 dogs rehomed in the Netherlands.

2015

ROLDA starts new branches in UK (ROLDA UK) and Germany (ROLDA Deutschland – Save Romania Strays e.V.) ROLDA creates “real life rooms” where our team evaluates dog’s behavior, isolated from the noises and distractions created by the other dogs. Because of the generosity of Swiss supporters, hundreds of acacia trees were planted to form a natural wind barrier around the large sanctuary to protect it against the snow storms.

2016

ROLDA celebrates 10 years of existence. ROLDA initiated an education campaign in partnership with local schools. New milestone reached: ROLDA sterilized 9.000 dogs captured from the steel plant giant. The same year, the partnership with the steel plant stops because the collaboration contract is abusively terminated. ROLDA starts two legal actions against the steel plant.

2017

ROLDA starts the renovation of the small house from the small sanctuary (which is used as administration office, recovery area for dogs, isolation for the rescued puppies, bathing and grooming area for the dogs etc)

2018

ROLDA won the first trial against the steel plant but the giant corporation’s army of lawyers appeals the Court decision. ROLDA starts Donate a doghouse campaign for the dogs living in poor, rural areas in Romania.

2019

First trial against the steel plant is finally over. After over 3 years of battles in court, ROLDA defeats the steel plant. We can start the 2nd trial (suspended until the 1st trial finished) which is about Mittal Lakshmi, one of the richest men on Earth, owner of the steel plant who refuses to feed the dogs captured by ROLDA and housed in our sanctuary, as agreed in the signed contract. ROLDA created a petition where animal lovers from all over the World can remind the rich man to feed the poor dogs.

2020

New milestone reached: 20.000 animals helped since we exist.

2021

ROLDA celebrates 15 years since it was officially registered as a charity in Romania and in the US.
ROLDA expands its support to rescuers located in other cities from Romania starting with Tulcea, where we help a small cat rescue organization.

2022

Emergency support for #UkraineAnimals threatens by war.
ROLDA coloring books are distributed in schools across Romania.
Exclusive partner of Purina, which enabled us to send cat food to different Romanian shelters.
ROLDA expands its support to Caracal town.
Four hectares located near the large shelter have been fenced to secure the plot where the PawzUp center will be built.

2023

The construction of a sanctuary for disabled & senior cats welcomed its first guests.
Small shelters turned to green energy; solar panels have been added to reduce electric bills for years to come.
Hired a landscaping company to install the lawn and get rid of dangerous foxtails once and for all. The lawn package comes with an irrigation system as well as plants that will hopefully keep mosquitoes away from dogs and cats.
Ventilation and heating systems were installed in the building where dogs live at the small shelter to improve the air quality and living conditions.
New land has been purchased near the small shelter to prevent neighbors complain about noise and to help in case there will be expansion plans in the future.
Emergency support for #UkraineAnimals continued.
The local administration delayed the PawzUp project. They plan to build a road where our large shelter is located, so we must relocate.

2024

New milestones reached:
Over 40,000 animals helped since ROLDA was founded.
Our financial support now extends to 6 small NGOs in Romania and over 40 rescuers in Ukraine.
Thanks to a gift in will from an Australian supporter, ROLDA purchased 8.9 ha of land. Nine buildings will be constructed on this land in four phases to complete the PawzUp Center.