Stray2Me Rescue October 2026 Newslitter
From Crisis to Hope
📖 Reading time: 5 minutes
The past few months have been incredibly busy.
We’ve helped Ionela and Carmen rescue dogs from the Dăeni public shelter, celebrated adoptions and arrivals in the UK, supported animals through major veterinary treatment, continued our sterilisation programmes and, sadly, said goodbye to a very special member of the Stray2Me family.
As always, none of this would be possible without your support. Every donation, sponsorship, adoption application and share on social media helps change lives.
🐾 Nearly 400 Dogs Saved from Dăeni
One of the biggest rescue stories of the year has been the closure of the Dăeni public shelter in Romania, with nearly 400 dogs given a chance at a better life.
Among them were 33 dogs taken into the care of the rescuers we support, and they need sponsorship to help cover food, preventative treatments and daily care while they wait for adoption opportunities.
For around £40 per month, you can help a dog remain safe, healthy and cared for while they wait for their forever home. Dogs like Tiago, Star, Mălina, Kalla, Villy and Mox are relying on supporters to give them that chance.
Team Visits Romania
Although much of Stray2Me’s work happens from the UK, it’s important for us to visit our rescue partners whenever possible.
In September, Geo spent some time in Romania and visited the Milo and Victoria shelters in Tulcea. She caught up with Carmen, Ionela and some of the dogs we’ve been supporting, including several of the recent Dăeni rescues, and was able to see first-hand how things are progressing on the ground.
Following Tina’s successful visit earlier this year, she had planned to return to Tulcea in October alongside Elizabeth to visit our rescue partners, check on the dogs and discuss future projects. Sadly, those plans had to be cancelled when Elsie became unwell.
We’re hopeful that the trip can be rearranged in 2027 and look forward to spending more time with the rescuers and animals whose lives your support helps to change.
🖤 Elsie’s Legacy Lives On
This autumn, we sadly said goodbye to Elsie, Tina’s beloved girl and Stray2Me’s very first Romanian rescue.
Without Elsie, there would be no Stray2Me. One dog’s story inspired a charity that has now helped more than 500 animals find safety, care and loving homes.
While we are heartbroken to lose her, we are incredibly grateful for the legacy she leaves behind. Every adoption, every happy tail and every life changed is part of that legacy.
Thank you, Elsie.
🏥 When Rescue Doesn’t End at Saving a Life
Rescue is not just about getting an animal to safety.
Recently, veterinary debt for Carmen’s dogs exceeded £2,100 as several animals, including Poppy, Molly and Kitty, required significant veterinary treatment. Like most rescuers, Carmen cannot delay treatment until the funds are available. When an animal is suffering, help has to come first.
Thanks to your support, these dogs received the care they needed, but the bills remain. Our latest fundraiser has got off to a great start, but we are still more than £1,000 short of our target.
Every emergency reminds us that rescue is a long-term commitment. Saving a life is only the beginning. Recovery, rehabilitation and ongoing medical care often continue for months, and sometimes years afterwards.
If you’ve already donated, thank you. If not, any contribution, however small, makes a genuine difference.
🐱 Garfield’s Second Chance
Garfield’s story is a perfect example of what supporter donations can achieve.
After requiring emergency surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, Garfield the kitten received the treatment he desperately needed and has made an excellent recovery. He is now ready to begin the search for his forever home.
Without your support, stories like Garfield’s would not have a happy ending.
✂️ Prevention Saves Lives
While rescue helps animals already in need, sterilisation prevents suffering before it starts.
This year, 72 animals were sterilised through our Istria campaign and a further 123 animals were helped in Sulina.
At approximately £32 per animal, sterilisation remains one of the most effective ways we can reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens entering a life of uncertainty.
It’s not the most visible part of rescue, but it is one of the most important.
If you’d like to support this work, please consider donating as little as £1 per month through our Spay the Streets campaign.
📅 Be Part of Our 2027 Calendar
Our 2027 Stray2Me Calendar is now in the works, and we’d love to feature some of our former rescue animals.
Alongside our 2026 rescue stars, we’re offering 30 spaces for Stray2Me adopters from 2019-2025 to showcase how their former strays are getting on. At the time of writing, 20 spaces remain available, including 9 cover photo opportunities.
To take part, simply send us your favourite photo and make a minimum donation of £5.
All proceeds from this year’s calendar will be ringfenced for:
🐾 Dental treatment for older dogs
🐾 Medication for arthritic dogs
🐾 Emergency veterinary care
If you’d like your adopted stray to be featured, send us a message via Facebook or your adopter chat and we’ll reserve your space.
Spaces are limited, so don’t leave it too long. We’d love to celebrate the journeys of our rescue animals and the families who gave them their happy endings.
We’ll share ordering details later in November.