Happiness is... being rescued by Rifugio Fata!

If you are in the mood for a pick-me-up, check out the fabulous photo gallery on Rifugio Fata's facebook page, and also on Francesca's facebook page (Francesca Scerbo Rifugio Fata la pagina). It will make you smile, I promise! And, just in case you need a reason to smile right now, here is a sneak preview:

The heart-breaking story of TIME (with a happy ending)

Many of the dogs brought into Rifugio Fata are suffering from health issues, some of them very serious. Poor little Time was spotted at Lamezia Terme airport by an Australian tourist returning home from her summer holiday. She spotted him wondering the streets near the airport in a horrendous state, but could not stop to help as she had to catch her plane. Luckily for Time, this caring tourist researched dog rescue help in the area and found Rifugio Fata. She reported her sighting to Francesca who sent out a team of volunteers to find him. Unfortunately, poor little Time was very ill and terrified. He bit two of the volunteers who were trying to catch him, but they persisted, knowing that if they walked away, he was doomed. After working patiently for three hours in 40 degree heat, the volunteers managed to secure this poor soul and get him to safety. He was taken back to Rifugio Fata, where his healing began.

Time has been under the care of the amazing team at Rifugio Fata for two months now. They managed to raise the funds to cover his extensive medical bills, and - in an incredible turnaround - he is now well on his way to recovery. Go Time!!

Finding Nemo

Nemo was found in a field next to a shopping center, with his mother and four siblings. They were foraging through piles of rubbish for food. Luckily for them, Rifugio Fata took them all in as a family. They were chipped, vaccinated and sterilized, and Francesca sent them to the North for rehoming. Nemo has now been adopted by a loving family in Turin who came back early from their vacation in order to pick him up. They couldn't wait! The little boy of the family insisted on sleeping in Nemo's bed for the first couple of days to make sure that the nervous little Nemo felt at home. Nemo soon settled in to his new life of love and happiness. Congratulations Nemo! 

Bath time at Rifugio Fata!

It is always so heart-warming to see the before and after pictures of the lucky dogs that get scooped up by the wonderful team at Rifugio Fata. One of the most noticeable things about neglected dogs is the state of their coats. So many of the poor souls who are brought into Rifugio Fata have terrible skin issues and their coats are thin and dull, like Dodo here, who just arrived at Rifugio Fata last week.

The lucky doggies who are brought into Rifugio Fata are given medical attention and they are treated for any health conditions. They are also bathed and groomed - often for the first time in their lives!

As they regain their health, their coats undergo a dramatic transformation. 

Katia is one of the many amazing volunteers at Rifugio Fata. She gives her time to help bath and groom the 160+ residents and transform them into the little beauties that they really are!

Just a few hours left to....... DOUBLE YOUR DONATION!

Thank you to everybody who has given to our 'double your donation' event. We still have a few hours left, so if you haven't donated yet, please click on the donate button on the top or bottom of this page - BY THE END OF TODAY (MONDAY)!! - and make a contribution that will automatically be doubled. Your donation is guaranteed to put a great big smile on ALL of the doggie faces at Rifugio Fata, and they will love you forever. 

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION!

Eros says, "Happy World Animal Day!" from Rifugio Fata:

October 4th is World Animal Day. It all began in 1931 in Florence, Italy, at a convention of ecologists. They chose this day to highlight the importance of protecting animal life on our planet, in all its magical forms. (Eros thinks you'll agree that his ears are pretty magical!) The 4th of October was originally chosen because it is the feast day of the patron saint of animals, Francis of Assisi. Now, World Animal Day has evolved into an international movement and it is celebrated by animal-lovers of all beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds. Special events honoring and supporting our animal friends are held in communities all over the world - in schools, churches, rescue shelters and parks.

I am very excited to announce that a group of private sponsors have chosen to celebrate World Animal Day by pledging their support to Rifugio Fata, and they have offered to DOUBLE any donation made to the shelter TODAY through until MONDAY EVENING, with a maximum total of 2000 Euros. 

This means that whatever we can raise for Rifugio Fata this weekend will be DOUBLED on Monday night, and all proceeds will go towards paying their monthly food, medical, and transport bills. What a fantastic World Animal Day gift!

So please join us in our World Animal Day celebration and take a moment to press the DONATE button at the top or bottom of this page, and make a contribution - before Monday night!! - to our beautiful animal friends in need at this wonderful shelter.

Remember, your donation will automatically multiply!

Open House at RIFUGIO FATA

A big part of Rifugio Fata's work lies in their commitment to raising awareness and promoting educational initiatives in the local community. Their goal at the shelter is not only to rescue and rehome as many stray dogs as possible, but also to tackle the problem at a grassroots level by changing cultural attitudes towards our four-legged friends, strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners, and spreading a positive message about responsible dog ownership. The team regularly host 'open days' at Rifugio Fata in order to encourage members of the public to visit the shelter, meet the dogs and hear more about what they do. It is an educational day, packed full of fun and games for all the family... and, of course, lots of cuddles! And for the dogs, it is a great opportunity for them to wow their visitors and perhaps be lucky enough to find a loving home.