After being founded on May 13th, 2015, the year 2016 is the first full year Angel’s Choice has operated. It was an enervating year with lots of happy and lots of sad and devastating events. Lots of disappointments, but also many unexpected offers of help. Many challenges and problems, many solutions found.
Organisations supported
In 2016 Angel’s Choice supported:
– Dog Rescue Gastarovska, Skopje, Macedonia
– Angelcats Sanctuary, Skopje, Macedonia
– Animalia Ohrid, Ohrid, Macedonia
– and the cat department of Animalia in Skopje, Macedonia
Full support means trying to raise money for medical treatments, food and other necessities for daily care, trying to find a forever home for some of the animals and organising transport, networking, providing information and second opinion from vets and specialists, moral support, et cetera.
Individual animals supported
Hope, handicapped dog, rescued by NGO Ruka-Sapi and fostered in Montenegro, facilitating fundraiser and providing wheelchair
Jack, handicapped dog, private rescue in Ukraine, facilitating fundraiser for medical treatment and transport to adopter in USA
Aron, emaciated staffordshire bull dog, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, fostered privately in Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Macedonia, general support
Lunita, handicapped dog from Argentina, rescued from adopters in USA in 2015, now long term fostered in USA – facilitating fundraiser for medical expenses
Diara, dog with amputated front legs, rescued in Ukraine, adopted in Germany, facilitating fundraiser for wheelchair
Doris, handicapped dog in Argentina, facilitating fundraisers for medical expenses
Corgi, handicapped dog from Kichevo, Macedonia, facilitating fundraiser for medical expenses
Cuta, abused stray dog with puppies, Kichevo, Macedonia, facilitating fundraiser for medical expenses, neutering and vaccinations
Mali, blind dog from Kichevo, Macedonia, helping with search for forever home
Fortuna, handicapped dog fostered in Germany, helping with search for forever home
49 dogs and cats went to their forever or foster home
For some of the dogs and cats in this list Angel’s Choice found a home and organised transport. For others only transport was organised, e.g. when tourists visiting Macedonia found a stray animal and wanted to take it home. This is not possible straight away, because the cat or dog has to receive a rabies vaccination, chip and passport. After that several weeks have to pass before an animal is allowed to enter another country. During those weeks the animals were fostered by Animalia in Ohrid or Angelcats Sanctuary in Skopje.
Mini, dog, rescued by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, went from foster home in the Netherlands to forever home in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption
Hana, dog with leishmania, private rescue in Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Belco, dog (shot at with gun), private rescue Skopje Macedonia, went from foster home in the Netherlands to forever home in the Netherlands (failed foster)
Toto, puppy with badly broken leg, rescued by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Kuku, private rescue by Belgian people in Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Boni, privately owned dog, Skopje, Macedonia, organisation transport to adopter in Germany
Linda, private rescue in Skopje, Macedonia, organisation transport to adopter in Germany
Teo, handicapped dog, rescued by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Germany, mediation for adoption and organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Sivki, very shy stray cat, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Ginger, FIV cat formerly paralysed, rescued by Blazevska in Bitola, fostered by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, fostered in the Netherlands, went to adopter in the Netherlands, went missing and when found was adopted by his former foster family
Leo, old poodle, rescued by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, first fostered in the Netherlands, then adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Principessa, dog private rescue by German tourists, fostered by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, organisation transport to German adopter
Srna, blind cat, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Tedy, handicapped dog, private rescue Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Tio, blind cat, private rescue and fostered in Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
George, stay cat, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
Tomce, handicapped dog, rescued by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Cyril, dog rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, organisation transport
Mickey, blind and deaf spaniel, rescued by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, first fostered in the Netherlands, then adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Freckles, dog found with big lump on his body, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Aya, cat rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, fostered/adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Anny, handicapped dog found shot on the first day of 2016, rescued by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption and organisation transport
Rainbow, cat, private rescue Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Jane, cat with only one eye, rescued and fostered by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia at request of Belgian adopter, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Sarina, almost blind cat, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Dionis, stray dog rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Sky, stray dog rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Sherpa, stray dog rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Dottie, very ill dog, rescued by Dutch tourists near Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Duso, puppy, rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Sakana, puppy, rescued by Dutch tourists in Ohrid Macedonia, fostered by Animalia Ohrid, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Marlo, CH kitten, private rescue Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Lily Rose, handicapped cat, rescued by Pepa’s Rescue Team Veles Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Mona, very old stray dog, private rescue in Skopje, Macedonia, fostered in the Netherlands, adopted in the Netherlands, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Kaja, dog paralysed (four legs), fostered by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Olaf, CH kitten, private rescue Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Lajka, paralysed dog rescued by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
Mama, paralysed dog with partly amputated leg, rescued by animal rescue organisation Stip Macedonia, fostered by Dog Rescue Gastarovska, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Kees, cat with partially paralysed leg, rescued by Animalia cat department Skopje Macedonia, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Vasco, stray dog rescued by Belgian tourists, fostered by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in Belgium, organisation transport
Struga, stray dog rescued by Dutch tourists, fostered by Beti Shej Struga Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Olly, cat found covered with oil and grease, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, was supposed to go to foster home in the Netherlands, but was adopted at Schiphol Airport by friend of flight volunteer from Belgium, organisation transport
Cleo, dog rescued by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Mizo, stray dog rescued by Dutch tourists, fostered by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, organisation transport
Gina, privately owned dog Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
Dini, cat rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, fostered in the Netherlands, adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
Ohri, stray dog rescued by English tourist, fostered by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in UK, organisation transport
Tina, dog with severe scabies, rescued by Animalia Ohrid Macedonia, adopted in UK, mediation for adoption, organisation transport
Little Prince, handicapped dog, rescued by Anima Mundi Skopje Macedonia, fostered by Dog Rescue Gastarovska Skopje Macedonia, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Triny, cat with three legs, rescued by Angelcats Sanctuary Skopje Macedonia, fostered and adopted in the Netherlands, mediation for adoption, organisation transport, fundraiser for transport
Nearly 1,000 kilo donated necessities transported
Many necessities were donated by people, vet clinics and organisations in the Netherlands and Belgium. E.g. deworming tablets, spot on anti flea treatments, all kinds of medicins, diapers, puppy training pads, blankets, dog coats, collars, leashes, harnesses, vitamins and other supplements, a paper shredder, snacks, toys, cages, baskets, desinfectants, ointments, cleaning products, carrier bags, transporter benches and more. A rough estimate says that nearly 1,000 kilo of donated necessities were transported to the various animal rescue organisations in Macedonia supported by Angel’s Choice.
Neutering campaign Angelcats Sanctuary
Neutering animals is the best way to save lifes. Angelcats Sanctury started a neutering campaign in May 2015. In 2015 70 cats were neutered and in the first four months of 2016 another 32 cats were neutered. After this date no more donations were raised for this campaign and neutering the cats at the sanctuary was integrated again in the day to day business.
Fundraising
One of the main tasks is raising money for medical treatment, food, neuterings, vaccinations and transport. All supported organisations and some of the individual dogs at their shelters or sanctuaries have loyal supporters who pay each month a fixed amount (10 euro or more). Unfortunately there are not enough loyal supporters yet to raise all the money needed. Fortunately there are also one off donations and fundraisers for special cases or urgent situations help getting more donations. E.g. in 2016 Angel’s Choice organised a fundraiser for a badly needed car for Animalia Ohrid and the new home for Angelcats Sanctuary in Skopje. Both fundraisers are still running at the end of the year.
Other ways to raise money are collecting coupons (several hundreds of euro’s were raised this way and spent on vaccinations) and auctions. In 2016 four auctions were organised. Items were donated by private sponsors and auctioned on a special page on Facebook.
RIP
Unfortunately not all the dogs and cats that were rescued survived their ordeal. Sometimes their injuries were too severe, sometimes the medical facilities and knowledge were not available, sometimes they died of causes unknown, sometimes they had already been through too much and just gave in, sometimes they really had bad luck, sometimes… Sometimes a lot of money is spent on one animal and people say: “With that kind of mind you could have neutered 20 dogs.” Or: “You could have fed 30 dogs for 2 months.” And they are right, of course. But once you have seen an animal in need, you are committed. You cannot stop helping that animal. It deserves a chance to live after all it has been through. Corgi and Jack deserved this chance and we lost them. 😥
We also mourn cats Cali and Tokito and dogs Mila and Tedy that died at their forever homes.
Thank you
Angel and I want to say thank you to all the animal rescuers for doing what they do every day of their lives. They are the first link in the chain to a new life for a dog or cat. We really admire and respect them for their tenacity, perseverance, expertise and endless TLC.
We also want to thank all the people who have adopted or fostered a dog or cat, the people who were flight volunteer, helped finding the animals a home, donated money and items, helped running the auction, shared information and expertise, offered moral support and made it possible to go on.
I do not give the names of all those people because I am afraid I will forget some. When you read this and have helped one way or another: thank you!
Angel's Choice 