
Ira Marcu, the director of the DATCHA with a dog she rescued from the streets of Chisinau.
Help the DATCHA
rescue stray dogs
The "Datcha" Approach
Based on the results of two surveys from Summer 2012, the British Charity NATUREWATCH FOUNDATION is confident that Chişinău’s stray dog population can be managed using a capture, neuter and release programme.
In order for this to be effective however, it must be carried out in conjunction with a pet sterilisation programme and responsible pet ownership education.
This is where the DATCHA comes in:
Impressions from the DATCHA ...
How the "Datcha" came to life
The grounds of the DATCHA were acquired in 2013, however in 2001 already members of an animal rights group in Nuremberg, Germany, had heard of the atrocities in Moldova and immediatle started fundraising actions.
First, only money and food was sent to help the stray animals on the streets of Chisinau. Animal-loving residents, mainly women, would go out in the streets, feed the dogs or take injured dogs home with them.
Finally, in 2013 with the financial help from a small group of animal lovers in Nuremberg, Germany, a piece of land outside of Chisinau was bought and the dilapidated building on it converted into a humble shelter.
Today, DATCHA is open to stray animals 24/7. Ira Marcu is DATCHA'S dedicated and passionate full-time director. Ira leads the rescuing and feeding of stray dogs and cats every day!
Three additional caretakers take shifts to feed the dogs, clean the kennels and care for injured and freshly operated animals. One caretaker is on premise at all times to watch over the animals.
A veterinarian checks on the health of the animals several times a week and performs castration and vaccinations on location. A simple operating room was established with the donations and support of the partner community in Nuremberg.

With 400 Moldovian Leu, Ira can buy 150 pounds of pasta and a bag full of cat food.
400 Moldovian Leu are app. USD 20.00 or EUR 18.00
As you can see, even a small amount of $5 will help enormously!
MOST NEEDED:
food and medication -
especially everything for neutering!