European Dogsters, this one’s in your backyard. Jim Willis, author of the tear-inducing essay “How Could You?,” has sent us another appeal for help. This time its Romania and defenseless street dogs and cats. I’ve been seeing posts from our European brothers and sisters in pets saying how they want to help. Here’s your chance. Of course, the rest of us can help out too.

Please reply to Razvan Pruteanu below. Their site is temporarily unavailable but should be up again soon.

You may remember that in 2001 the Mayor of Bucharest, Traian Basescu, angered animal lovers around the world by announcing that his police had killed over 130,000 street dogs and planned to kill many more. Their bodies were rendered at a protein powder factory. The killings also occurred in other Romanian cities. Scores of dogs were rescued by German groups, and some animal protection efforts in Romania were funded by donations, mostly from Germany, France and England. Basescu is now the President of Romania! Not a good scenario for improved compassion.

Thanks,
Jim
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Subject: From Romania: The “Clopotel” Association

Hello,

My name is Razvan Pruteanu and I am representing the “Clopotel” association, based in Iasi-Romania, an association which has as main purpose the creation of a social integration system for the young generation . Our association also coordinates the “Pupaza din tei” newspaper, the only paper in Romania written and run completely by children between the ages of 9 and 14.

For a little preview of its universe, I invite you to visit our website www.pupazadintei-iasi.ro, where you will have the opportunity of seeing the last editions of the newspaper.

“Pupaza din tei” was first printed in Iasi, in 1999, with 2000 copies, and now the newspaper is printed in 20.000 copies each month.The staff is composed from children that came from all over the schools in the city, and besides working for the newspaper, they develop other activities (social, environmental, cultural, animal safety and protection) to support their community.

Lately we are facing a lot of difficulties regarding homeless animals in our city, problem to which no one gives special attention. During our association’s existence, we have tried through different methods to “soften” the public opinion regarding this phenomenon, even taking the first serious steps in taking care of cats and dogs in our neighborhood and around the office we work at, but we don’t have neither the financial possibilities nor the support from the authorities, thus not succeeding in making an animal shelter where these animals could be fed, nurtured, given medical attention and put for adoption.

As this “homeless animals” phenomenon doesn’t seem to interest somebody, we are appealing to the rest of the organizations from other countries, which could help us in any way.So, we ask you in case you have any suggestions, a piece of advice or a possibility, to stand beside us in this struggle, to contact us as soon as possible so we can act together and give them a better life.

Thank you
Best regards,
Razvan Pruteanu

CLOPOTEL Association
Adresa: Str. Smardan Nr.5, et.2, cod 700399, Iasi-Romania
Tel/fax: +40.232.240.400 / +40.743.586.489
E-mail: pupazadintei_iasi@yahoo.com pupazadintei2004@yahoo.com
Web: www.pupazadintei-iasi.ro

If you get involved in this very sad but just cause, please keep the rest of us informed as to what happens. May the children prevail!