Animal Terra is an independent shelter outside Chișinău, Moldova, founded and run by Svetlana. It’s home to over 200 dogs, most pulled from roadsides, abandoned as puppies in bags or boxes, or found too sick or too young to make it on their own.

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and stray animals have no legal protection and no government support. There are no public shelters, no animal control programs, and no safety net. Only the people who choose to help. 

Animal Terra runs on roughly €4,500 a month, all of it from donations, covering food, medical care, vaccinations, sterilizations, and the daily work of keeping 200 dogs fed, healthy, and safe.

As the founder of Animal Terra, Svetlana says, “Distance means nothing when hearts beat together.”