Romanian Zoo Dogs
NEW LIFE FOR ROMANIAN ZOO DOGS
2 dogs from a Romanian Zoo will now have a second chance thanks to a joint project between ‘Born Free Foundation’ and Jan Fennell, international author and Dog Listener.
Jan was approached by Virginia McKenna, Founder of the ‘Born Free Foundation’ about two dogs currently living in a zoo in Romania that was due to close, as Miss McKenna appreciated that these dogs would inevitably have adjustment issues and knew that the method adopted by Dog Listeners would give these dogs the very best chance of settling into domestic homes. Jan and her team of International Dog Listeners were pleased to be able to help. 
Mollie is 6-7 years old and has been at the zoo nearly all her life. Nobody knows why she was put in the zoo, but she arrived as a puppy. She used to live with her son, but he died last year. Nobody knows why, as he was just found dead in their cage.
Dina is approximately 3 years old and is very human friendly so it is thought that at some stage she has had a home. It looks as if she has had puppies in the past but nobody knows what happened to them.
Foster homes have been found for the dogs, Dina in Watford and Mollie with our Bournemouth Based Dog Listener Natalie Finch, as their transition to life here begins. Steph Drake, one of Jan’s Dog Listeners, is delighted to be co-ordinating the project with ‘Born Free Foundation’. Steph and Natalie will use Jan’s ‘Amichien® Bonding’ method, which is based on communication and positive reinforcement without any use of force, gadgets or aggression.
Once the dogs have been assessed and have recovered from their long journey, they will have been rehabilitated to help them adjust to a very different life than they have previously experienced and then they will be looking for permanent homes.
As Dog Listeners, the team take their responsibilities very seriously and the organization is unique in that there is strict quality control in place to ensure that each consultation is carried out to the highest possible standard.
The support & care begun by the Dog Listeners in the foster homes will continue once the dogs are placed in permanent homes.
Steph says ‘it is great to see Britain’s reputation as a dog-loving nation once again being demonstrated by this project and to see so many different peopl
e working together to help these dogs. It will be lovely to finally see them settled in loving, permanent homes after all they have been through.’
Natalie would also like to thank Dave of Healthy Pets In Blandford for his advice on feeding Mollie and sponsoring her with a food supply www.healthypetsblandfordltd.co.uk
The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity working throughout the world to stop individual wild animal suffering and protect threatened species in the wild. Romania joined the European Union on the 1st Jan 2007, and it is now required to adhere to the terms of the EU Zoo Directive. The Directive requires all zoos to meet minimum standards in animal welfare and husbandry and to demonstrate a commitment to conservation of biodiversity and public education. Most of the 36 zoos in Romania fall way below these standards. The Born Free Foundation is working with the Romanian Association for the Protection of Animals (APAR) to help draw up feasible solutions for the closure of zoos to minimize suffering, while at the same time reducing the number of zoos.
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