From the Streets to Safety

Many of the animals now living at the shelter were previously exposed to hunger, disease, extreme weather conditions and the constant dangers of road traffic.

Today, they have access to regular food, clean water, veterinary care and a secure environment where they can recover and live with dignity.

The shelter currently provides care for approximately 150 dogs and 20 cats, offering them a second chance and demonstrating that compassionate, community-driven solutions can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable animals.

A Community Celebration

The inauguration brought together members of the local community, families, volunteers and animal welfare supporters in a day marked by hope and solidarity.

Children and young participants played a special role in the event by creating colourful artworks that were displayed throughout the shelter, symbolising a future built on compassion and respect for animals. Their participation highlighted the importance of education and awareness in fostering a culture of empathy towards all living beings.

As part of the celebration, certificates of participation were awarded to the young participants in recognition of their creativity, commitment and contribution to promoting animal welfare values within their community.

Addressing a Wider Challenge

The issue of stray animals remains a significant challenge in many parts of Morocco. Beyond concerns related to animal welfare, it is closely connected to public health, responsible population management and community well-being.

Projects such as this shelter demonstrate that sustainable solutions can be achieved through cooperation between local communities, animal welfare advocates and institutions. Providing immediate care to animals in need is essential, but long-term progress also requires education, responsible ownership, sterilisation programmes and increased public awareness.

Veterinarians and Animal Welfare Professionals Needed

As the shelter continues to grow and provide care for an increasing number of animals, access to veterinary expertise remains one of its most important needs.

OIPA Morocco is currently seeking veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary nurses and animal health professionals interested in supporting future animal welfare initiatives, including sterilisation campaigns, veterinary outreach activities, preventive healthcare programmes and capacity-building efforts.

Professional support can make a significant difference in improving animal welfare standards and helping develop sustainable, long-term solutions for stray animal management.

If you are interested in collaborating, sharing expertise or supporting future veterinary initiatives in Morocco, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Why We Need to Act Now

Across the area, the situation for stray dogs is becoming increasingly urgent.

A new enforcement framework allows the systematic capture of stray dogs and their transfer to public shelters. After a legal holding period of 14 days, euthanasia may follow.

In this context, immediate preventive action is essential.

The campaign aims to sterilize between 300 and 500 dogs in order to reduce uncontrolled reproduction, prevent future suffering, and decrease the number of animals exposed to capture, shelter confinement, and possible euthanasia.

Sterilization is not the only answer to stray dog overpopulation, but it is one of the most effective, humane, and sustainable tools available to address the crisis at its source.

Why Sterilization Matters

Without immediate intervention, the number of stray dogs will continue to increase, placing more animals at risk of capture and euthanasia.

Every new litter born on the streets adds pressure to an already fragile system.

Public shelters become overcrowded, local authorities are pushed toward reactive measures, and dogs continue to suffer from abandonment, hunger, disease, accidents, and violence.

A structured sterilization campaign can interrupt this cycle.

By preventing unwanted births, we can reduce the growth of the stray dog population in a humane and measurable way, while also decreasing long-term pressure on shelters and local communities.

How You Can Make the Difference

The local team is ready. Veterinary professionals are ready. The operational structure is already in place.

What is missing now is the funding needed to cover sterilization procedures, medication, transport, field logistics, and post-operative care.

Even a small donation can help bring one more dog into safety, treatment, and protection.

If many of us contribute, we can make this campaign possible.

What We Can Achieve Together

With the support of our community, this campaign can sterilize between 300 and 500 dogs.

The impact will not stop there. Every sterilized dog means fewer unwanted litters, fewer puppies born into abandonment, and fewer animals exposed to capture and possible euthanasia.

Together, we can support a humane response based on prevention, care, and responsibility.

• 300 to 500 dogs sterilized
• Fewer unwanted litters
• Less suffering on the streets
• Reduced pressure on shelters
• Fewer dogs exposed to possible euthanasia
• A humane model that can inspire future campaigns

By the end of the summer, the shelter may lose the land on which it currently stands. If this happens, nearly 50 dogs could lose the only place where they are safe.

For many of these animals, this shelter is not simply temporary accommodation.
It is their home.
Their protection.
Their possibility to survive.

Many of the dogs currently under Bambi Foundation’s care arrived traumatized, starving, injured, or deeply fearful of human contact after experiencing abandonment and violence. Over time, they slowly began learning to trust again.

Now, the people who rescued them are facing another urgent battle: saving the shelter itself.

For this reason, an emergency fundraising campaign has been launched to secure land and rebuild a safe and stable shelter where these dogs can continue receiving care, food, medical treatment, and dignity.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL

The reality faced daily by rescuers in Albania is extremely challenging. Local activists often carry enormous responsibility with very limited support, while continuing to respond to abandonment, cruelty, injuries, and emergency rescues on the ground.

Despite everything, they continue fighting every single day because these animals have nowhere else to go.

ON THE FRONTLINE: RESCUING ANIMALS IN ACTIVE WAR ZONES

OIPA is supporting its member league in Lebanon, Give Me A Paw, which is working tirelessly every day on the frontlines to rescue, protect, and care for animals affected by the war by making a real, life-saving impact where it is needed most.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL

Max arrived with a wound and digestive upset. His healing is slow, but steady. Every meal, every dose, every comfort strategy is a step toward safety.

RefQ advocates for the rights of animals, working towards the implementation of laws and policies that protect and enhance their well-being.

It is estimated that around 800 dogs are stray dogs in Tripoli (Meetein, Abu Samra, Kobe, Baddawi).

Dogs reproduce at an alarming rate of 1-12 puppies per litter. Female dogs can get pregnant twice a year.Sterilizing 1 female dog can reduce the reproduction rate by up to 50 puppies in its lifetime. Sterilizing male dogs also reduces aggression.

Is their mission to provide safety for all, it is important to create a sanctuary for dogs where they can be safe and the same for the community.

RefQ created a dog shelter in 2018 that has harbored hundreds of dogs since then.

The need for more shelters is essential and ongoing.

The increased dog population in Tripoli and in Lebanon in general is alarming. With more dogs being dumped and the rate at which dogs and cats reproduce, it is not surprising. Worldwide this problem is solved by TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) which RefQ started in March of 2024. The dog is then tagged with a number in the ear and vaccinated against Rabies.

This are the link to their website and social media

https://www.facebook.com/RefQLebanon

https://www.instagram.com/refqlebanon/

Go and check the dogs waiting for adoption!