The whole is greater...

...than the sum of its parts.

Teamwork plays a hugely important role in finding solutions for our four-legged friends in need. Meet the fabulous Marinella Bruno. Marinella runs a dog shelter in Northern Italy called Scialuppa Dei 4 Zampe. When she has the space - and when Francesca can afford the transport - Marinella takes in dogs from Rifugio Fata who might not otherwise be able to find homes in the South. Marinella has been the driving force behind countless happy adoption stories of Rifugio Fata graduates, and last month she visited the shelter in Calabria for the first time, to cuddle the dogs and meet her team players. 

The volunteers at Rifugio Fata expressed their gratitude by throwing a 'Grazie Marinella' party!

And, of course, the Rifugio Fata residents were keen to meet this doggy superhero of the North who they had heard so much about. 

Marinella is now back in Northern Italy and ready to take in another group of Rifugio Fata residents to help them find the loving homes they deserve. Can you help this amazing team by contributing towards their transport costs?

Every little bit helps. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking the 'donate' button on this blog, or via PayPal: rifugiofata@libero.it 

Or through Rifugio Fata's facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Francesca-Scerbo-Rifugio-Fata-la-pagina/223244014434430

Thank you for your support!

Order your 2016 Rifugio Fata Calendar TODAY!

What do you get if you put together an awesome group of volunteers, some talented doggy actors and Rifugio Fata's very own fabulous photographer, Irene Cimino? That's right! One of the loveliest calendars of 2016!

Every year, the team at Rifugio Fata make a calendar to raise funds to help feed and care for their 150+ shelter residents. This year, they decided to have some fun with the dogs and give them a special taste of 'life at home'. The result is one of their sweetest calendars yet, aptly named 'Feeling at home.'

Here is a sneak preview of what went on backstage on the day of the shoot:

So, please order your amazing, unique Rifugio Fata calendar TODAY! It only costs 10 Euros plus 3 Euros postage - anywhere in the world! Every day in 2016, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful photos and know that you helped make a difference in the lives of these sweet dogs and the wonderful people who work so hard to care for them.

Contact Francesca on the Rifugio Fata Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Francesca-Scerbo-Rifugio-Fata-la-pagina/223244014434430

Or on whatsapp: +39 3405910203

Thank you for your support!

The Perfect Gift

One of the fabulous volunteers at Rifugio Fata is the very talented Fiorella Vergori. Fiorella has launched a one-of-a-kind accessory line in order to raise funds for the dogs at Rifugio Fata. Combining her artistic talents with her desire to support rescue dogs and the environment, Fiorella uses recycled can tops to create highly original jewelry pieces and accessories.

Her line is called "Linguetta re-created by Fiò."

Each item is handmade to order.

So if you are looking for a unique, environmentally friendly gift that will support a local artist and help the dogs at Rifugio Fata, then look no further! 

Irene Cimino - who also volunteers at Rifugio Fata and regularly appears on this blog as a stray dog superhero - is a talented photographer. Check out these stunning photos Irene took of Fiorella and Francesca (VP of Fata) at the shelter, wearing Fiorella's beautiful accessories. 

Artists, models, doggie superheroes... Is there no end to these ladies' talents?!

Click on Fiorella's facebook page below to see more photos of her fabulous products, and to order the perfect gift!

https://www.facebook.com/Linguetta-re-created-by-Fiò-1604348086461662/?ref=ts&fref=ts

International Rescue Mission

A few weeks ago, Rifugio Fata received a message from a German lady, Franzi, who had found a sweet little dog while she was visiting Lamezia Terme, the city in Calabria where Rifugio Fata is located. She had been feeding him while she was on holiday, and after she returned home to Germany, she found that she couldn't stop thinking about him! Franzi realized that she had fallen in love with the little fellow, and decided that she wanted to adopt him. 

Enter the Rifugio Fata Rescue Team! Franzi liaised with Rifugio Fata friend, Katharina, who helped with translations. Franzi decided to call the little black dog Rondo, and provided a photo of him and a map of the hotel, with a description of the area where he was. 

Rifugio Fata volunteers, Irene and Tina, donned their superhero capes, and set off in search of this little stray who had no idea that his life was about to take a dramatic turn. It took them less than an hour for them to find him. He jumped in the carrier box willingly. Franzi was thrilled.

The next step was to figure out how to transport Rondo to Germany. If you have ever tried to transport a dog, you will know that it is much cheaper and safer for them to make the journey with a passenger, rather than to travel alone. So Franzi made the decision to fly back to Calabria for one night to collect him.

Francesca, Irene and Tina met Franzi at the airport to wave Rondo off to his new life. What a lucky boy.

Rondo went from being dumped and begging for scraps at a hotel in Calabria to living a life of love and happiness in Germany. Congratulations to Rondo and his lovely new mum, Franzi. And a big thank you to Rifugio Fata and Katharina for making this mission possible. Excellent work team!