Local Rescue centre Hungary Hearts is pleading for help to save 12 dogs on death row.
The 12 Dogs of Christmas Campaign by rescue centre Hungary Hearts aims to raise enough money to transport the dogs to the UK, provide veterinary treatment, vaccinations, food and temporary shelter care while they wait patiently for their forever families to take them home.
Founder Hilda Z-Barabas says:
“Every Christmas, alongside our usual rescue work, we aim to save as many additional dogs from death row as funds will allow. It’s completely heart-breaking to face so many desperate eyes and I always say a prayer before I go into the shelters. Some of the dogs have been there for years, and we try to save those dogs who are at the highest risk of being put down.”
Last Christmas, the charity managed to rescue 24 extra dogs in their Christmas appeal, bringing their total number of successful rescues to over 1000 - all of which have now been rehomed locally in Buckinghamshire and across the UK. For the new owners, bringing a dog into their family has been life changing."
The dogs arrive in the UK on what staff and supporters now affectionately name “The Happy Bus”. Having travelled the 30-hour journey by road from Hungary to Pennwood in a single stretch with a quick rest stop along the way, the excited but tired dogs are set free from their transport cages to mingle and meet their foster carers or new families.
For many of the dogs, this will be their very first experience of a safe and loving environment and Hilda says that once the dogs are on UK soil, the charity will work hard to match the right family with the right dog.
How to donate
You can donate to the 12 Dogs of Christmas Campaign via www.hungaryheartsdogrescue.co.uk or via their Facebook page at Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue. Any additional funds raised over the target will be used to rescue even more dogs.
The rescue centre isn’t only appealing for funds – they’re appealing for help in naming their 12 new arrivals too.
“We would love it if each person who donates to this project would also leave a name suggestion – it would be really special if we could give each one a fantastic new name to mark the start of their wonderful new life.”