Southern Italy has long grappled with the issue of stray dogs, with hundreds of thousands roaming the streets each year.
In 1991, a legislative shift occurred that sought to protect free-roaming dogs and restrict the euthanasia of strays by law. While this change was brought in to improve welfare, countless dogs are still exposed to the dangers of life on the street. Many who do end up in a pound go on to spend their entire lives there.
A desperate situation
We spoke to a group of dedicated volunteers determined to give the stray dogs of Calabria a future.
With its rugged coastline, ancient villages, and rich cultural heritage, the region of Calabria is a stunning place to visit. But for the animal lovers who live there, every day comes with difficulty and heartbreak.
Maria Luisa has been involved in rescue for many years now, feeding free-roaming dogs, spaying and neutering to reduce the population, and taking in those in need.
"I have been passionate about animals since I was young", she explains. "My father taught us to respect animals. I feel good when they feel good", she continues, "but any positive feeling about the situation in the South is always short-lived".
A teacher by profession, Maria Luisa is faced with desperate cases almost daily. "Every morning I hope I won't find a dog in need of my help. I travel with dog food in the boot of my car for emergencies".
The animal lover is up by 5 a.m. to ensure she has enough time to tend to all the dogs in her care. She then spends the rest of the day rushing between work, the vet's, and the health departments before settling down to chat with prospective adopters.
"We have no support from the council or from public administration", says Maria Luisa. "Everything we do is with our own money and the help of one supportive vet who lets us pay as and when we can".
Anna, who volunteers in Vibo Valentia, has also been involved in rescue for many years. "I had a bad car accident that left me suffering a serious depression", she says. Dogs saved me, and I couldn't turn away when I saw so many of them abandoned" .
Anna and her partner have dedicated their lives to dogs in need, setting up a rescue centre on the land around their house. They currently care for 40 dogs on a daily basis, with no financial support from the government or from local vets. People even surrender dogs to her without leaving so much as a bag of food.
Four of their dogs came to them from a pound called 'the pound of horrors'. Far from protecting the dogs in their care, reports tell of starving, injured dogs struggling to survive in their kennels. Many didn't make it, and 'Canine Oasis' - as it was originally named - was officially closed down in 2019.
The dogs have been left understandably traumatised by their ordeal, but with Anna and her partner, they have found a place of sanctuary and healing.
Unfortunately, stories like this are all too common across southern regions of Italy, where some pounds house 2,000-2,500 dogs at any one time.
Heartwarming collaboration
Thankfully, a couple in the UK has decided to help the dogs of Calabria after a visit to the region that changed their lives forever.
Left shocked by the reality volunteers and dogs face, Angela and Tony set up Rescue Me Dogs, a registered charity in the UK. Run by Angela and Tony, the rescue works closely with the volunteers in Calabria, providing support where possible and finding loving homes for the dogs in their care.
When Nova was found by Maria Luisa, she was in terrible condition. Four years on a chain had taken its toll, and it took months to bring her back to health.
Now, thanks to the tireless work of her rescuer and the efforts of the UK-based team, Nova has a family of her own. She is completely adored by her humans, who couldn't imagine life without her.
Nova may have found her forever home, but there are many other dogs like her waiting to find their family. Camilla, Bella and Olly all have their bags packed- they're just waiting to be seen by the right person.
