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 horse shelter by offering first the location. They were supposed to legalize 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 Interior February 2008 Interior January 2009 – after being partially reconditioned We now have 21 horses in the shelter: 18 adults and 3 foals.

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

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

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

Stela Arrival: Age: approx. 10 yo Stela 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: Age: approx. 15 yo Rodica was abandoned near a car was, in a very bad shape, with lung problems. She is blind.

Doinita Arrival: Age: approx. 10 yo Doinita was found after a truck accident. She had humerus fracture and terrible wounds. On top of that she was in 10 month gestation when we found her. For her was manufactured a special harness lift to help her with the pregnancy and the broken leg. June 2008 January 2009

Speranta Date of birth: Age: 7 months Speranta (Hope) was born in the shelter. Although her mother was in a difficult condition, she took good care of the foal and you can see both of them running… August 2008 January 2009

Ordonanta Arrival: Age: approx. 8 yo She 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.

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

Catar Arrival: Age: approx. 3 yo Tied to a fence near a block of flats, Catar was taken to the shelter. He is in a good condition.

Rita Arrival: Age: approx. 14 yo Abandoned 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.

Mercedes Arrival : Age: approx. 8 yo Abandoned in a bad condition with signs of maltreatment. She is recovering.

Decebal Arrival : Age: approx. 5 yo Abandoned in Bucharest. He has no health problems, he is just weakened but he will recover fast.

Cezar Arrival : Age: approx. 9 yo A very gentle male, abandoned in a weakness stage. He is now recovering.

Vera Arrival : Age: approx. 8 yoi Female, a bit aggressive perhaps due to maltreatment.

Banel Arrival : Age: approx. 15 yo Male found weakened. He is a bit aggressive and likes to bite.

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

Vanda Arrival : Age: approx. 8 yo Female, recovered together with Nora.

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

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

Elodia Arrival : Age: approx. 16 yo Female 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!