Abandoned horses in Bucharest

Summary

About GIA – Group Initiative for Animals

History of the abandoned horses’ shelter

At present

GIA - Group Initiative for Animals

A non-profit organization built in 2007, with a team of 25 members gathered together by the love and respect towards animals.

Our charity has the following goals: To promote the animals’ right to a good quality of life. To educate and convince people that they need to neuter their

animals, in order to stop the stray overpopulation. From the beginning GIA has managed the neutering of 350 dogs and 100 cats with and without owners, from our own money and also the adoption of over 400 animals. We have also developed educative flyers to promote the benefits of neutering.

To develop and promote innovative therapies to demonstrate that animals really help people. In our program “Therapeutic Animals” with dogs and horses, the dogs are all adopted from the streets.

To help the families with financial difficulties by providing them with food for dogs and cats.

At the City Hall’s request the members of our organization started capturing, transporting and rehabilitate the abandoned horses from Bucharest.

History of the abandoned horses’ shelter

In December 2007, as a response to a letter signed by dr. Ilinca Cioculescu, the Municipality agreed to put the basis of a horseshelter by offering first the location. They were supposed tolegalize the shelter and include it in the budget. During December 2007 and January 2009 members of GIA,together with the Riding Club Bucharest have saved approx. 50 horses from which 30 were adopted. We now have in our care 21 horses, some of them with big difficulties having not many chances to be adopted in Romania because they cannot be put to work. All the costs were supported only by donators(treatments, transport, food, shelter reconditioning, accessories).

History

InteriorFebruary 2008

InteriorJanuary 2009 – after being partially reconditioned

We now have 21 horses in the shelter: 18 adults and 3 foals.

Babi Arrival: 10.01.2008Age: approx. 17 yoBabi was found in a very bad state with multiple wounds and signs of harness. She had infectionson her skin and on both eyes, that is why it took her a very long time to recover. On November 15th she underwent a surgery for eye removal. She is one of the horses that can not be given for adoption.

Naomi Arrival: 15.01.2008Age: approx. 10 yoNaomi was found in one afternoon, after having fallen in a gutter. She is recovered now, thoughshe still has problems with her legs and cannot perform any kind of work. Naomi is a gentle horseand very good with children.

Rex Arrival: 01.02.2008Age: over 20 yoHe was found in an advanced weakness state, he could almost stand. He is very old that is why hedoesn’t get fat; he needs a lot of proteins.

Stela Arrival: 02.03.2008Age: approx. 10 yoStela was left tied to a fence in the middle of the city. She has slight problems with the back legs(she cannot perform work, running), but it is the most friendly horse and loves children.

Rodica Arrival: 05.03.2008Age: approx. 15 yoRodica was abandoned near a car was, in a very bad shape, with lung problems. She is blind.

Doinita Arrival: 05.06.2008Age: approx. 10 yoDoinita was found after a truck accident. She had humerus fracture and terrible wounds. On top ofthat she was in 10 month gestation when we found her. For her was manufactured a specialharness lift to help her with the pregnancy and the broken leg.

June 2008 January 2009

SperantaDate of birth: 8.08.2008Age: 7 monthsSperanta (Hope) was born in the shelter. Although her mother was in a difficult condition, she tookgood care of the foal and you can see both of them running…

August 2008

January 2009

OrdonantaArrival: 15.07.2008Age: approx. 8 yoShe has a bad problem with one back leg, under treatment for the moment. She came from a dog shelter where she was caring the water.

CiulinArrival: 2.10.2008Age: approx. 2 yoWe found Ciulin one night, watching over the body of a wounded female. We had to euthanize thefallen horse but at least we were able to save Ciulin.

CatarArrival: 20.10.2008Age: approx. 3 yoTied to a fence near a block of flats, Catar was taken to the shelter. He is in a good condition.

RitaArrival: 4.11.2008Age: approx. 14 yoAbandoned in a very bad condition, with infection on her front leg, wounds for being cruelly beaten.She is now under treatment and we hope she will be recovered.

MercedesArrival : 28.11.2008Age: approx. 8 yoAbandoned in a bad condition with signs of maltreatment. She is recovering.

DecebalArrival : 28.11.2008Age: approx. 5 yoAbandoned in Bucharest. He has no health problems, he is just weakened but he will recover fast.

CezarArrival : 5.12.2008Age: approx. 9 yoA very gentle male, abandoned in a weakness stage. He is now recovering.

VeraArrival : 5.12.2008Age: approx. 8 yoiFemale, a bit aggressive perhaps due to maltreatment.

BanelArrival : 20.12.2008Age: approx. 15 yoMale found weakened. He is a bit aggressive and likes to bite.

Nora Arrival : 31.12.2008Age: approx. 4 yoYoung female recovered from a park (with Vanda) in a malnutrition stage and with one eye infection. She is under treatment.

Vanda Arrival : 31.12.2008Age: approx. 8 yoFemale, recovered together with Nora.

Felix Arrival : 7.01.2009Age: approx. 14 aniMare, found in a very bad malnutrition stage. He is recovering.

Taifun Arrival : 14.01.2009Age: approx. 10 yoMale recovered after being abandoned near a luxury hotel. He is in good health condition.

Elodia Arrival : 22.01.2009Age: approx. 16 yoFemale recovered in a very bad condition. Still under medical investigations.

For the horses we will continue to

• Develop educational programs for those having big animals regarding their care, in order to avoid abandon.

• Recover physically and psychically the abandoned horses and promoting/placing them in loving families.

• Horses training for riding (for those able to be ride)• Hypo therapy programs for children with disabilities – program

currently in progress with Riding Club Bucharest support and in collaboration with the DGASSPC Sector 1 – City Hall - Bucharest

• Shelter promoting and organizing schools visits• Voluntary programs• Fund raising

Hypo therapy

Thank you!