The defenders of animal rights call on the municipality of Chisinau to provide precincts for transferring the dog shelter “AOVA” as the stay of dogs at the current address became impossible owing to the pressure to which they are subjected.

In a news conference at IPN, the shelter’s director Galina Cighir said that 400 dogs are sheltered on the territory of an apiary. The new owner of the apiary demands that the shelter should be removed. Their access to electricity, heat and water supply was barred. “We live among people, but do not feel this,” stated the woman.

The persons who set up the shelter undertake to further look after the animals, but hope the authorities will allot an area where the dogs could be lodged. They need an estimated area of 30 ares. “We would like to start everything from the very beginning,” said the shelter’s director.

Galina Cighir noted the costs are large, of up to 2,000 lei a day, but they cope with the assistance of kindhearted people. All the animals taken to the shelter are sterilized. Only the shelter’s guard is a salary earner who is paid by 500 lei a day. The other employees work as volunteers. The director called on those who want to help, but do not have money to become involved by providing unpaid work.

Olga Plămădeală, the representative of the shelter, said many animals are sick and the shelter’s debts to the veterinary clinic whose services they use continue to increase.

Vera Bogdasova and her husband supply the shelter with water. She thanked those who lend a hand. “If you don’t help, at least don’t prevent us from moving on,” she stated, addressing the “non-friends”.

The dog shelter “AOVA” was founded almost 15 years ago.