Animals Need Me started as a Facebook page in 2012, managed by two young animal lovers in Shkodra, Albania.

Due to the conditions of stray animals in their city, they decided to stand up and do something for them. It all started by fostering puppies and kittens and publishing them for adoption. Many people liked the page and some of them even offered to help by donating food or money for the medications needed. A whole network was found.

Oli Pero, Founder of Animals Need Me – ”Because of cultural gaps in animal treatment and the lack of a proper animal protection law, the work in this field was never easy. This is a full time job, done for free and it consists of persistence, compassion, strength of character, vision and never giving up on your mission, otherwise we would be forgotten by now.”

”We seek for passionate animals lovers to join us and help us, not only to rescue strays in difficult conditions, but also to promote a new culture of adoptions and compassion for cats and dogs in Albania.”

Izabela Sala was a hard working student at the time and to this day manages the every day activities of the shelter, as well as assisting with all veterinary needs. She joined Animals Need Me in November 2014 and since then has been in the front row of the rescue. ”Only a few people can understand what we do everyday. Not until you come to the shelter and see for yourself all the energy that is invested in this mission can you truly appreciate it. The hardest of all is changing the mentality on stray dogs that are often mistreated.”

We would like to thank all our volunteers: Rubin, Julita, Verina, Erza, Gersian, Helio and Elda for being there each day and all of those that have donated since 2012, giving us the opportunity to continue helping many animals in need in Shkodra, Albania.