Sami and Friends - a project by Voice For The Needy

01/09/2022

Everyone who ever adopted from Sami and Friends knows this but many first time adoptive dog parents don’t. Please share with your network so that dog adoption is a positive experience for animals and humans alike.

Credit: Rescue Dogs 101

26/08/2022

Happy Basil, living the life in Switzerland, one year after being adopted from the kill shelter in Slatina, Romania

20/08/2022

Brock is Sami’s first friend in the US and today he’s showing us his splooting…. Yesss!!! There’s a name for this weird stretch: splooting. Apparently it’s common among younger animals and cats and even squirrels do it too. Splooting is a great stretch for the animals’ hips and also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors.

Does your pet sploot?

15/08/2022

Toulouse and Nero are good with kids, good with cats, good dogs overall. They just need a good grooming to make them shine 😍

14/08/2022

Sami and Friends helps place animals for adoption all over the world and these 3 month kittens are looking for an adoptive family in England, preferably in the London area. They’re in great health, fully vaccinated and insured until they reach 6 months, with pet4home. Look at those cute faces 😍. It’s hard to resist their cuteness, I know, so let me know if you’d like to take them home.

04/08/2022

Toulouse (white coloring on his chest) and Nero (completely black) are two brothers of around 18 months, medium size (around 25 lbs). They are a mixed breed - hard to tell which without a DNA test, but, based on my experience, I’d say they are a mix of Poodle, Bichon, Schnauzer Terrier and maybe Portuguese Water Dog. They hair, not fur, are in great health, fixed (neutered) and fully vaccinated. They will arrive at LAX next month so if you know anyone interested in fostering or adopting, please let me know.

28/07/2022

Lessy is 7 months old and weighs 40 pounds. She’s a medium-large dog and she will grow up to be around 50 pounds.

She was born on the streets just days before Christmas and the rescuer took her and her 4 siblings in so they don’t die in the harsh Romanian winter.

She’s a big but gentle and very sweet girl. She’s more on the lazy side, likes playing with other dogs and cats alike. Like every dog born on the streets she knew hunger in the beginning so she grew up to be food motivated which makes her easy to train.

She has all vaccines up to date and will be spayed before she travels for adoption.

Please help us find a family for Lessy!

25/07/2022

2 years ago, Bell was arriving at SeaTac airport, ready for a new life. Now, she’s living in Seattle with a family that spoils her and adore her. Thank you everyone who trusted me to find them a friend for life. And thank you everyone who helped me foster, train and find adopters for these wonderful souls. 🙏🏻♥️

01/07/2022

Tired dogs are happy dogs. Lessy went out for her first hike today and she loved every minute of it 😍 Could she be your next hiking companion? Message me for any adoption/fostering inquiries

28/06/2022

Our girl is growing fast 😍😍 Look at Lessy with her rescuer back in February and now in June, just 4 months apart. Lessy is 7 months now and weighs 40 pounds. She’s a medium-large dog and she will grow up to be around 50 pounds.

She was born on the streets just days before Christmas and the rescuer took her and her 4 siblings in so they don’t die in the harsh Romanian winter.

She’s a big but gentle and very sweet girl. She’s more on the lazy side, likes playing with other dogs and cats alike. Like every dog born on the streets she knew hunger in the beginning so she grew up to be food motivated which makes her easy to train.

She has all vaccines up to date and will be spayed before she travels to the US.

21/05/2022

Today is National Rescue Dog Day and I have a special rescue story for you. Lessy’s story.

Lessy was born in filth. In an abandoned home, on a dirty floor, among broken glass and soiled bed sheets.

Her mom took care of her and her 4 other siblings the best she could and protected them fiercely. This made it very difficult for their rescuer (Ionela) to approach them but she finally found the opportunity, one day when their mom was out scavenging for food. I remember the day when Ionela found them. It was late December and freezing cold, and she had to go down an old pit latrine to save one of Lessy’s siblings who had fallen in. Not the best start in life!

Ionela took them all in, cleaned them, bathed them, dewormed them and fed them good food. It looked like things would get better for Lessy and her brothers and sisters but then, disaster hit! All puppies got diagnosed with Parvovirus. Ionela continued to take care of them and got them through their Parvo treatment but only two puppies survived. Lessy is one of them and now that she’s finally on her feet, healthy and with all vaccinations up to date, she’s looking for an adoptive family.

She’s currently in Romania, enjoying life in the company of other rescued dogs that Ionela has in her care. Igor, an old hunting hound rescued around the same time, is her best friend.

Lessy has been lucky to beat the odds and survive so far, so we hope she’s lucky enough to find her forever family. If you’re interested in adopting Lessy or sponsoring her, please get in touch!

Happy Rescue Dog Day!

Photos:
💛 Lessy and her best friend, Igor
💚 Lessy and her sister eating
❤️ Lessy and her siblings having dinner the day they were found
🧡 Lessy as a 4 weeks old pup with her rescuer, Ionela

25/02/2022

Romanian charities helping Ukrainian refugees as they try to cross the border with their pets 💙💛

24/02/2022

However overwhelmed they are by the number of abandonment cases in their own country, animal protection organizations in Romania are ready to take in animals accompanying their Ukrainian owners as they seek refuge in Romania.

16/08/2021

We care about all vulnerable animals, wherever they are. And right now, the situation in Afghanistan is dire so please help if you can.

Despite the devastation we are experiencing in Afghanistan we still have work to do...meet our newest rescue Mijo being rescued for one of our incredible US military members.

"I’m deployed right now and came across this scared boy Mijo...he’s bonded with me and my team. I want to give him a better quality of life and he’ll fit in perfect with my family. I don't want to leave him behind as the odds of him surviving out here alone are very slim."

19/07/2021

I am incredibly lucky to have so many kind friends support this small but mighty project. Because none of this is possible without the wonderful people who believe in me. Because what better way to show one’s love and respect for animals than helping animals in need? 💙

This is Lily and those who’ve known her in life, have honored her memory when she passed away with a donation to Sami and Friends. The world is a better place because of people like you, Gwen Murray and Julie Murray.

29/06/2021

As a responsible dog owner, you’re probably wondering if you’re doing everything you can to ensure the wellbeing of your dog. This book will help answer your questions. I’m reading it at the moment and I recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s great to finally find a book that’s written with the typical dog owner in mind but has knowledge grounded in scientific research.

15/06/2021

The Center for Disease Control has updated their guidelines for dog imports yesterday, making it harder for rescue organizations to bring over dogs for adoption. Romania is not a country with high risk of rabies and so nothing has changed regarding imports from Romania. It’s saddening, however, to think that these new guidelines will encumber the efforts of rescue groups saving dogs from meat farms in Asia 🖤

The CDC will suspend the import of dogs from more than 100 countries where rabies still spreads among dogs.

05/06/2021

6 weeks ago we were asking for help for a small dog in a Romanian public shelter who had 2 weeks to live before being put to sleep. He was scared and confused but luckily he didn’t have to wait long before someone decided to give him a second chance.

Earlier today Mick arrived at his forever home in Germany 🐶💙🏠

22/05/2021

Here’s another reason why we choose to bring dogs for adoption from Romania to the US. Because the low degree of care and compassion in Romania is a death sentence for the country’s animals.

14/05/2021

Max is 5 years old and about as sad as he looks. Sometimes dogs have had eyes that make you give in and let them share you sandwich. But Max has a different kind of sadness - a deep but dignified sadness. He still hopes he will get adopted, even though he’s getting old and he forgot what it feels like to have a family. He was brought to the shelter a few years back, after he was badly hurt by a speeding car. He went through several surgeries and physiotherapy and regained full control of his legs and is a fully independent dog again. But the pain, the long treatments and the fact that he was unable to find an adopter, made him withdraw and turned him into a grumpy old dog. Deep inside though he’s a balanced, loving dog. If anyone is looking for an older dog and has the patience and knowledge to work with him to rehabilitate him and make him enjoy life again, please get in touch and we’ll help bring Max to the US to start a new life.