Friends of Moldovan Strays (‘FOMS’)

Founders’ Lecture Programme: Friends of Moldovan Strays (‘FOMS’)

Visit from Debbie O’Connell and Jane Sumner

20th February 2020

By the students of 8E

Stray dogs have been a large problem in Moldova for years, with thousands of them in Chişinău alone, and doubtless thousands more in the countryside. Naturewatch (an international charity foundation helping animals in need) estimated the population of Chişinău’s stray dogs at 5,000 back in 2012, and reported: “Naturewatch Foundation is confident that Chişinău’s stray dog population can be managed using a capture, neuter and release programme.” Capture, neuter and release is a humane way to control a stray dog population; it involves capturing a stray dog neutering it (so it will not have anymore offspring) and releasing it back into the streets. However, the government has led some morally questionable and inhumane ‘alternative’ (cheaper) initiatives. The Moldovan public has mixed opinions about stray dogs; some try and feed them, or find a home for them. However, in early 2010 a law was passed stating that any dogs caught and not claimed in the first ten days would be euthanized. This news reached famous French actor Briggite Bardot, who soon after sent a letter to Mayor Chirtoacă of Chişinău. In the letter she asked him to "disavow, as quickly as possible, this horrible news, that will unite your name forever with this bloody and revolting act that is completely against your position, which gives you an obligation to protect and to find human solutions for every problem that appears in the city". Although many people disagree and speak against some of the government choices, others have been known to show little-to-no compassion.

The situation for the dogs has somewhat improved in the last few years, with more and more volunteers funding neutering programs. This is where Debbie O’Connell and Jane Sumner come in.

In 2019 October, Debbie O'Connell came to our school for a lecture. She came to instruct us about the problem of stray dogs in Moldova, to inform people about their actions and to encourage more people to help stray dogs. Debbie O'Connell (UK) founded Friends of Moldovan Strays (FOMS). FOMS is an organization that helped stray dogs in Moldova. Debbie was taught from a young age to respect all animals and adopted her first dog (Misty) from Bahrain. When she saw the huge problem of stray dogs in Moldova, she decided to help them. The shelter helped dogs who were injured, homeless, lost, sick and generally in need. The Dog shelter does not receive any government funding and it is very hard to keep 230+ animals warm, fed and safe!

Inspired by Debbie’s endeavours, in October 2019 our school hosted the first ‘non-uniform day’ in order to incentivise donations for the shelter. Our Heritage community showed incredible generosity by donating food, blankets, and toys for the dogs and cats. Much to Jane and Debbie’s delight we were able to send the donations. Later that month, the school organised an excursion to the dog shelter in which, grades 9 and 5/6E took part in. Our students thoroughly enjoyed playing with the dogs and making new friends however there was a sad side to it all: “...It did make me heartsick looking at the bad conditions the dogs had to live in” said Adam Dacho.

The situation with stray dogs in Moldova isn't so bright. The “FOMS” dog shelter has been doing their best to vaccinate and sterilize as many stray dogs as possible. However, it’s not over yet! It would take way more than just one dog shelter to make an impact. Why don’t we try to involve society? Why don’t we encourage more people to help take dogs to the shelter? Or sponsor sterilisation programmes?

There, they can be fed regularly, washed and sterilized. Most importantly, they can eventually find a nice home and be loved.

What can we do?

Let us follow in Jane and Debbie's footsteps. There are so many more ways ordinary people like us can help these dogs. We can foster them, feed them, take them to the vet, donate to dog shelters, or set up a donation drive. We can also spread the word to our friends or family about the current situation, so they can join in too and help rescue stray dogs.

Debbie and Jane are an inspiration for a lot of people here in Moldova, who have the heart to help stray dogs and we think that more people should be inspired by them and help stray dogs of Moldova, so we can solve the problem once and for all!

Visit Forgotten Animals Org to find out about the volunteer work happening in and around Modlova.

Visit Island Of Hope and search FOMS on Facebook for the latest updates.

Helpful links:

https://naturewatch.org/

https://m.facebook.com/BritishEmbassyChisinau/posts/81695858173944