Vika, Mira, Stesha and Rudi*, St Petersburg, 2024. Mira has been living with Vika for a year and a half. Mira was rescued by volunteers fromYakutia, where local authorities had passed a law on euthanizing stray dogs. Vika tookMira in as a foster to help her socialize and eventually find a permanent home. For the first 8 months, Mira didn’t go outside because her fear literally paralyzed her - she would lie down on the ground and freeze. Over the past few months, Mira has overcome many phobias, and Vika thinks she will likely keep Mira for herself, as they have become very attached to each other, and giving her to a new owner could cause Mira stress and undo all their progress. *In the photo, Mira is on the left of Vika, and Vika’s personal dog Stesha on the right. On the floor is Rudi and a cat on the left - the pets of Vika’s sister.
Vika, Mira, Stesha and Rudi*, St Petersburg, 2024. Mira has been living with Vika for a year and a half. Mira was rescued by volunteers fromYakutia, where local authorities had passed a law on euthanizing stray dogs. Vika tookMira in as a foster to help her socialize and eventually find a permanent home. For the first 8 months, Mira didn’t go outside because her fear literally paralyzed her - she would lie down on the ground and freeze. Over the past few months, Mira has overcome many phobias, and Vika thinks she will likely keep Mira for herself, as they have become very attached to each other, and giving her to a new owner could cause Mira stress and undo all their progress. *In the photo, Mira is on the left of Vika, and Vika’s personal dog Stesha on the right. On the floor is Rudi and a cat on the left - the pets of Vika’s sister.
Tatiana and Maiky, St Petersburg, 2024. Tatiana had always dreamed of having a dog and finally took the plunge in 2020. She thought it would be great to adopt a dog from a shelter and train together to become a therapy dog team. However, Maiky turned out to be anti social which didn’t discourage Tatiana at all. In every other way, he’s a wonderful dog, he’s just not willing to interact with anyone except Tatiana.
Tatiana and Maiky, St Petersburg, 2024. Tatiana had always dreamed of having a dog and finally took the plunge in 2020. She thought it would be great to adopt a dog from a shelter and train together to become a therapy dog team. However, Maiky turned out to be anti social which didn’t discourage Tatiana at all. In every other way, he’s a wonderful dog, he’s just not willing to interact with anyone except Tatiana.
Настя и Туве. Кронштадт, 2024. У Туве поначалу было немало проблем, в числе которых нарушения сна и пищевой привязанности. Первый месяц был настолько сложным, что Настя стала отчаиваться — даже кинологи, к которым она обращалась, не могли ей помочь. В итоге Настя сама выучилась на кинолога, а Туве участвует в танцевальных конкурсах.
Настя и Туве. Кронштадт, 2024. У Туве поначалу было немало проблем, в числе которых нарушения сна и пищевой привязанности. Первый месяц был настолько сложным, что Настя стала отчаиваться — даже кинологи, к которым она обращалась, не могли ей помочь. В итоге Настя сама выучилась на кинолога, а Туве участвует в танцевальных конкурсах.
Кира, Алексей и Марти. Санкт-Петербург, 2024. Ребята повстречали Марти в приюте для собак с инвалидностью, куда однажды приехали за котом. На тот момент у них уже много лет жил пёс, подобранный с улицы. Марти стал второй собакой в доме. Вначале было сложно — ребята впервые столкнулись с необходимостью специального ухода за собакой. Однако вскоре это стало обычным делом, которое занимает считаные минуты. Кира и Алексей говорят, что теперь они не видят разницы между здоровыми собаками и так называемыми «спинальниками». Оказалось, что собаку вовсе не беспокоит, что у неё не работают задние лапы — она остаётся собой и нуждается только в своём человеке.
Кира, Алексей и Марти. Санкт-Петербург, 2024. Ребята повстречали Марти в приюте для собак с инвалидностью, куда однажды приехали за котом. На тот момент у них уже много лет жил пёс, подобранный с улицы. Марти стал второй собакой в доме. Вначале было сложно — ребята впервые столкнулись с необходимостью специального ухода за собакой. Однако вскоре это стало обычным делом, которое занимает считаные минуты. Кира и Алексей говорят, что теперь они не видят разницы между здоровыми собаками и так называемыми «спинальниками». Оказалось, что собаку вовсе не беспокоит, что у неё не работают задние лапы — она остаётся собой и нуждается только в своём человеке.
Alla, Ivan, Monya, and Ridus*, St Petersburg, 2024. Ridus lived with a former orphanage resident who suffered from alcohol addiction for ayear and a half, according to her, he survived by eating whatever he found on thefloor. When the woman was sent to rehab, Alla took Ridus in as a foster dog. Ridus was a completely wild dog and would fight for food. Alla wrote a book about Ridus’s adaptation process. Today, five years later, Ridus still doesn’t like to share food, but otherwise, he’s a good and smart boy. Monya was picked up from the streets by a friend of Alla during frosty weather and when she found the owner of Monya, it turned out that the owner didn’t want her after all. So Alla took Monya in. Luckily, Monya turned out to be a very smart and contented dog. *In the photo from left to right: Monya, Alla, Ivan, Ridus
Alla, Ivan, Monya, and Ridus*, St Petersburg, 2024. Ridus lived with a former orphanage resident who suffered from alcohol addiction for ayear and a half, according to her, he survived by eating whatever he found on thefloor. When the woman was sent to rehab, Alla took Ridus in as a foster dog. Ridus was a completely wild dog and would fight for food. Alla wrote a book about Ridus’s adaptation process. Today, five years later, Ridus still doesn’t like to share food, but otherwise, he’s a good and smart boy. Monya was picked up from the streets by a friend of Alla during frosty weather and when she found the owner of Monya, it turned out that the owner didn’t want her after all. So Alla took Monya in. Luckily, Monya turned out to be a very smart and contented dog. *In the photo from left to right: Monya, Alla, Ivan, Ridus
Natasha and Bulka. St Petersburg, 2024. Bulka was around three years old when Natasha met her at a shelter dog exhibition and took her home. Natasha was prepared to have an adult dog and for the next six months, she followed the principle of « I’m nobody to you and you owe me nothing. Please don’t be afraid of me, let’s just coexist: here’s your bed, food, and walks». This helped establish a trusting relationship. There were no serious problems and Natasha says that every day she thinks to herself «I have a dog - what a joy!»
Natasha and Bulka. St Petersburg, 2024. Bulka was around three years old when Natasha met her at a shelter dog exhibition and took her home. Natasha was prepared to have an adult dog and for the next six months, she followed the principle of « I’m nobody to you and you owe me nothing. Please don’t be afraid of me, let’s just coexist: here’s your bed, food, and walks». This helped establish a trusting relationship. There were no serious problems and Natasha says that every day she thinks to herself «I have a dog - what a joy!»
Marina and Butch. St Petersburg, 2024. Butch was found as a puppy on a construction site in Moscow by volunteers and was sent to St. Petersburg, where Marina was waiting for him. Marina already had an adult cat, who was very skeptical of the new puppy, but eventually, he took Butch under his wing and taught him how to behave. Butch always slept with the cat on the couch in the kitchen. When the cat passed away, Butch was devastated, couldn’t find his place and became aggressive. Marina allowed him to sleep in her bed, gradually the dog readjusted to life without the cat. Since then, he always sleeps on his half of the bed. Marina says that Butch sheds everyday and despite endlessly laundry and cleaning it’s a small price to pay for the joy she feels every time she comes home.
Marina and Butch. St Petersburg, 2024. Butch was found as a puppy on a construction site in Moscow by volunteers and was sent to St. Petersburg, where Marina was waiting for him. Marina already had an adult cat, who was very skeptical of the new puppy, but eventually, he took Butch under his wing and taught him how to behave. Butch always slept with the cat on the couch in the kitchen. When the cat passed away, Butch was devastated, couldn’t find his place and became aggressive. Marina allowed him to sleep in her bed, gradually the dog readjusted to life without the cat. Since then, he always sleeps on his half of the bed. Marina says that Butch sheds everyday and despite endlessly laundry and cleaning it’s a small price to pay for the joy she feels every time she comes home.
Nastya, Pasha, and Bruno, St Petersburg, 2024. Nastya always knew that she would have a dog and when she grew up she decided that she would adopt one from a shelter. Bruno initially greeted them coldly and didn’t want to go for a walk with them, but Nastya saw how strongly attached he was to the shelter’s director and decided that she wanted to become that person for Bruno. She succeeded.
Nastya, Pasha, and Bruno, St Petersburg, 2024. Nastya always knew that she would have a dog and when she grew up she decided that she would adopt one from a shelter. Bruno initially greeted them coldly and didn’t want to go for a walk with them, but Nastya saw how strongly attached he was to the shelter’s director and decided that she wanted to become that person for Bruno. She succeeded.
Lyuba, Dima, and Kyrusha, St Petersburg, 2024. Lyuba and Dima professionally take care of dogs with disabilities. People from all over the country turn to them for help because doctors in the regions of Russia don’t know how to treat a dog whose hind legs have stopped working, yet for some reason the doctors simply recommend euthanasia. Lyuba and Dima provide people with information on how to properly care for such a dog, help find a rehabilitation doctor and an engineer to select the right wheelchair for the dog. Kyrusha was found on the street in Rostov in a very bad condition: with a broken spine and open wounds on his hips. He was sent to Lyuba in St. Petersburg. The doctors thought that Kyrusha wouldn’t survive, but he was lucky.
Lyuba, Dima, and Kyrusha, St Petersburg, 2024. Lyuba and Dima professionally take care of dogs with disabilities. People from all over the country turn to them for help because doctors in the regions of Russia don’t know how to treat a dog whose hind legs have stopped working, yet for some reason the doctors simply recommend euthanasia. Lyuba and Dima provide people with information on how to properly care for such a dog, help find a rehabilitation doctor and an engineer to select the right wheelchair for the dog. Kyrusha was found on the street in Rostov in a very bad condition: with a broken spine and open wounds on his hips. He was sent to Lyuba in St. Petersburg. The doctors thought that Kyrusha wouldn’t survive, but he was lucky.
Irina and Tsey, St Petersburg, 2024. Tsey was found by tourists on an expedition in the Caucasus mountains. He had been shot and both his front paws were broken. Volunteers took him to a clinic where one paw was amputated. Tsey was sent to St. Petersburg to attempt to save the other paw.The paw was operated on and an Ilizarov apparatus fitted. The paw began to heal,but Tsey couldn’t put weight on it because the radial nerve was damaged. Then, volunteers found a specialist who made an orthosis for him, which helped put Tsey back on his feet. It was at this point that Irina called, who had lost her beloved dog the day before. Irina says that Tsey is a very soulful dog, he just doesn’t like men and chases cats, but otherwise, there are no problems with him.
Irina and Tsey, St Petersburg, 2024. Tsey was found by tourists on an expedition in the Caucasus mountains. He had been shot and both his front paws were broken. Volunteers took him to a clinic where one paw was amputated. Tsey was sent to St. Petersburg to attempt to save the other paw.The paw was operated on and an Ilizarov apparatus fitted. The paw began to heal,but Tsey couldn’t put weight on it because the radial nerve was damaged. Then, volunteers found a specialist who made an orthosis for him, which helped put Tsey back on his feet. It was at this point that Irina called, who had lost her beloved dog the day before. Irina says that Tsey is a very soulful dog, he just doesn’t like men and chases cats, but otherwise, there are no problems with him.
Вика и Фроша. Санкт-Петербург, 2024. Фроше было 8 месяцев, когда ребята забрали её из приюта. Собака оказалась очень активной, но с набором фобий, от которых частично удалось избавиться благодаря хорошему кинологу. Сейчас Фроше полтора года, она любит грызть поддельную обувь (оригинальную почему-то не ест) и всё ещё опасается выходить из дома.
Вика и Фроша. Санкт-Петербург, 2024. Фроше было 8 месяцев, когда ребята забрали её из приюта. Собака оказалась очень активной, но с набором фобий, от которых частично удалось избавиться благодаря хорошему кинологу. Сейчас Фроше полтора года, она любит грызть поддельную обувь (оригинальную почему-то не ест) и всё ещё опасается выходить из дома.
Vika and Rony, St Petersburg, 2024. Vika saw Rony on the news from Donetsk in the spring of 2022 - volunteers were evacuating dogs from the combat zone. Vika got in touch with them and Rony was brought to St. Petersburg. From the photos and videos, Vika thought that the dog was small and old. But Rony turned out to be a large adolescent dog with a shrapnel wound on his hip.For the next six months, Vika barely slept, because they could only take walks at night or very early in the morning. During the day, Vika worked. Rony was so aggressive that Vika started to fear him herself. She turned to different dog trainers, but no one could help her.Only time and Vika’s patience helped. She fell in love with the dog and eventually found a way to connect with him. Now Vika understands what Rony thinks from his micro-movements.
Vika and Rony, St Petersburg, 2024. Vika saw Rony on the news from Donetsk in the spring of 2022 - volunteers were evacuating dogs from the combat zone. Vika got in touch with them and Rony was brought to St. Petersburg. From the photos and videos, Vika thought that the dog was small and old. But Rony turned out to be a large adolescent dog with a shrapnel wound on his hip.For the next six months, Vika barely slept, because they could only take walks at night or very early in the morning. During the day, Vika worked. Rony was so aggressive that Vika started to fear him herself. She turned to different dog trainers, but no one could help her.Only time and Vika’s patience helped. She fell in love with the dog and eventually found a way to connect with him. Now Vika understands what Rony thinks from his micro-movements.

You’re my Dog

In 2023, a law was passed in Russia giving regions the right to establish their own rules for handling stray animals. Some regions took advantage and passed regional laws allowing for the euthanasia of stray animals.

According to the Global Index, published by Mars Petcare in 2021, there are approximately one million stray dogs in Russia. The rescue of stray animals in Russia is mainly carried out by public organizations and private shelters, of which there are around 600 in the country. One of the main tasks of volunteers is to find a home for the dogs. On their part, shelters do everything possible to give the dogs to reliable owners, but it’s not uncommon for dogs to be returned due to people making  impulsive decisions and take a dog without assessing their capabilities, but there are also those who have thought it through but find that the dog is so problematic that they start to think they can’t cope.

I decided to talk to those who have taken a dog from a shelter and have succeeded. I recorded the stories of the heroes about how time, patience, and care transform frightened animals into loving companions and friends.

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