Help Sasha please
My dear friends and readers,
Once in a while, we come across a story so touching from beginning to end. Stories of those who have done good deeds simply because they can’t bear to witness the suffering of others.
Below is the story of Sasha Pejčić. He has been rescuing dogs in Serbia for the past 5 years, and has now taken responsibility for 400 doggies. There is not much information about him, but I saw his story on Facebook and thought that I should share it will all of you. There is a plea out on behalf of him by The Harmony Fund, to help with the expenses of dog food, workers, electricity etc…
Around the world, it is getting more and more common to hear about people who give a helping hand to other beings. It shows that people are starting to care more for animals… Compassion towards each other and other sentient beings is something that we need to see more of in today’s society.
Please read this inspiring story about Sasha Pejčić’s struggles in order to help his doggies. Contact him to see if you are comfortable, then you can see if you would like to help him. If you can, help him in any way. If any one knows more information about him, please write it in the comment section below!
Tsem Rinpoche
Sasha Pejčić with his dogs
This Man is Running Out of Food to Feed 400 Rescued Dogs
Written by Jovana Ivastanin
Sasha Pejčić is a rare kind of man who has been rescuing dogs in Nis, Serbia for years. His animal shelter is absolutely breathtaking. The dogs all follow Sasha around and it’s amazing to watch their interaction with each other. They all eat together peacefully, play, run and sleep together. Most of the dogs have been taken off of the streets and nursed back to health (as well as spayed and neutered) and now live in a large pack in a disused riding school. At night they sleep in stables in groups of about 15. However, Sasha is now facing a major crisis over how to feed these dogs.
The Austrian organization that was supporting him is no longer able to cope with all the financial needs and the dogs did not eat for two days recently. Sasha has now run out of food totally. His four workers who help with the feeding and cleaning have not been paid since the New Year and the rent hasn’t been paid for four months.
How the Shelter Was Born
Over the years, Sasha has witnessed so much suffering amongst the Serbian dogs and it has affected him deeply. Ever since he can remember, he always felt sorry for little puppies and would always try and feed them whenever he saw them. It was in 2008 that he really started to notice that many of dogs he was trying to help were disappearing – what he realized was that the Nis pound was killing more and more dogs daily as a way of ‘managing’ the population. Sasha would often notice that his friends, the street dogs he fed on regular basis, would suddenly go missing. They were being caught by the dog catchers and murdered (the methods used to ‘euthanize’ dogs are unspeakable).
One day, Sasha found four puppies near a very busy street and he moved them somewhere safer as he was so scared they would be killed and he began feeding them in that safer place. A few days later, he found another eight puppies on the way to feeding the first four. He bought them a couple of dog houses for shelter and came back every day to feed and water them. People noticed this and started to drop off more and more puppies. In no time, there were 70 of them. Sasha managed to finance all of this on his own as he was working full time. If he was ever short due to an illness of the pups or something similar, he’d turn to friends and family for help and they’d lend him the needed money for the treatment.
Sasha managed to find a disused riding school that he could rent and the owner agreed he could keep dogs there. A homeless man, Zoran, noticed him feeding the puppies and started to help. Since Sasha was working, he offered Zoran a part time job so that he could look after the weaker puppies while Sasha was at work.
Together, they started to help the really sick and injured dogs. Sasha would nurse them back to health and bring them to the ‘shelter’ Zoran and he had started building. When he first rented the disused riding school, it was overgrown and the roof of the stable was in a bad way. With the help of friends, family and a lot of hard work, Sasha and Zoran transformed it into the shelter that it is today.
Years later, Sasha is now responsible for more than 400 dogs who he has rescued. Several of them came in via a former humane organization who rescued dogs from the pound as they were being spayed but not stitched up properly after surgery before being put back on the street, which led to a terrible end for so many dogs. Some of the dogs have been left outside the gates, but Sasha is not actively rescuing more dogs now as he has reached full capacity. Sasha cannot manage on his own and he has some workers who come and help him (Zoran is one of them still).
As there are 400 dogs to be fed, the food bill is now very high. To start off with, Sasha could buy the food but as the numbers grew, he depended on donations from local abattoir and bakeries. This was a great solution for a while, but eventually they couldn’t keep up with the amount of food that Sasha needed for his ever-expanding pack.
To feed the dogs every day, Sasha needs between 100 and 120 kg worth of kibble. The cheapest kibble available in Serbia (dog food is a novelty, most people feed their dog stale bred dunked in their own leftovers) it is about €16.4 ($21 US dollars) for a 20kg bag. The shelter mixes meat, dry food and donated bakery goods at a total of €3,600 a month. A couple of years ago, he managed to find an organization in Austria who started to help him, but sadly this year they have not been able to cover all the costs and for the first time since Sasha has rescued his dogs, they have no food.
Here’s What’s Being Done to Help Feed the Dogs
While volunteers try to begin networking on Facebook to build a base of supporters to help with regular contributions, the Harmony Fund is offering to help raise immediate funds to feed the dogs as well as to pay the rent, the veterinary costs and the workers’ wages.
Monthly expenses for these dogs in Serbia are:
- 3,600 Euros for dog food ($4,698 US dollars)
- 960 Euros to pay the workers ($1,252 US dollars)
- 150 Euros for rent/electricity/water ($195 US dollars)
- And an average of 500 Euros for basic veterinary medicines ($652 US dollars)
The dogs eating in a group.
Group photo of some of the dogs.
Sasha petting one of his dogs.
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So touching….Sasha Pejčić..such a kind soul helping all those dogs who is man best friend. Sasha has witnessed so much suffering of the streets dogs and it has affected him deeply. It seems that the dog catchers has been killing the streets dogs to be taken off .Its to much for Sasha and he decided to helped those abandoned dogs.
For the past 5 years he has recused many doggies and started a sheltered home for them. Most of the dogs have been found and helped from the streets . Some of them are injured and he was so kind to nurse them back . Jovana Ivastanin the reporter described the animal shelter as breathtaking. Amazing the dogs all followed Sasha around and their interaction with each other. This sheltered Home for the 400 rescued dogs are running out of funds to feed them. May Sasha be helped by people to continue sheltering those dogs. May more people donates to this harmony fund to the homeless dogs.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this .
So happy to listen to such compassion story of Sasha. Not many are willing to take care and spend to much time in order to save so many dogs. A selfless person.
May more sponsors can immediately sponsor his dog shelter expenses and give the dogs a change to live safely and happily.
I love it when people come to a understanding and help animals instead of letting them suffer. I love animals and i am so happy he is helping so many dogs. This is very kind. Thank you for sharing Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche, I wonder how is Sasha doing right now? I hope he have some sponsors because Sasha needs to pay 4937.17 Euro (RM21400.35) for every single month and it has been 5 months now. If he don’t get sponsors fast he will be bankrupt and the bank might have to take away everything he owns. And I also hope that the 400 dogs will quickly be adopted by families who loves dog.
设立动物庇护所真的很不容易。 动物的医疗费用就是一笔庞大数字，收容所的所在地，照顾动物们饮食起居等等，并不是我们看到的一般简单。在我国设有这些庇护所，也常常遭受到周围邻居和政府部门的刁难。所以我们更应该多多支持。
Hi there,
I am in belgrade for 2 more months and would like to come and work/ help at the shelter, regularly. If that would help, please let me know! I can’t find any address or contact details online. Please do get in touch!
Thanks
marina
Sasha is really remarkable. Giving so much for the dogs yet expecting nothing in return. I hope that more people will also do this.
Tsem Rinpoche has been actively helping the stray dogs. Just yesterday, rinpoche together with a small group of students fed about 8 dogs. And they even brought one to the vet as he was badly injured.
Pastor Susan has assisted in bringing the dog in for the vet. She will also be heading Kechara Animal Sanctuary to be saving more of these poor little souls.
Please give both Sasha, and Pastor Susan your blessings so that they will be able to help these souls that some may look down on.
Sasha is a really kind to rescue the dogs and take care of them.
Can people spread the awareness of Sasha?
Nowadays more and more dogs are getting abused, tortured and put to sleep.
If we want to help other animals and we can’t afford to pay for the expenses,then why don’t we find someone who is short of money.
That is probably the best help we can offer to help these animals if we don’t have enough money to create a shelter.
Please stop animal cruelty and become vegetarian.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring article.
Sasha is a true example of human compassion towards other living beings.Thank you Sasha’s compassion,please continue with your good action,we need more people like you !! I wish he can get more sponsors and his works will be smoothly without obstacle !!!
It is said that the dharma teaches us to bring to mindfulness and compassion to what we see and feel in our hearts and minds. We may not be able to prevent the disasters of life, but we can find whatever ways to unbind our senses of being so that suffering is transformed into an awakened heart that can do great good in this world – and then to breath out love and compassion to the source of suffering, by helping out! It takes practice, effort and patience for the dharma teaching to transform us – just what our lord Guru has requested us to do in this all-embracing compassion. It would naturally make us feel more alive, caring and loving, for ourselves as well as others.
For those who would like to give a hand to Sasha Pejcic, please check out on the following link.
http://harmonyfund.org/donation/sashas-shelter.html#donation
Thank You for sharing, Rinpoche!
_/\_
I’m very proud of Sasha , he is so kindness, care and love animals. To rescue and take care more than 400 dogs is not easy job . Really appreciate that peoples can think twice when adopt any pets , animals have feeling too and not a dead object .
400 dogs is insane! That is way too many dogs for just a few people to manage, yet they manage to get this far. It is amazing what they have done. We always hear great stories from time to time with such dedication. The amount of money, food and work involved into taking care of so many dogs is immense. Such an extremely selfless man, from the time and money he is earning from his work he puts it into taking care of these dogs. Saving all of them, coming home day after day bringing in so many dogs yet dogs still left outside in the street he cant take in anymore is even more sad. I really hope there would be someone to help Sasha and his dogs very soon.
What a noble way to live, for others instead of oneself. On top of that, this guy benefits dogs that would never be able to repay his kindness and the only gratitude can be shown through a lolling tongue and wagging tail. Rinpoche has been advocating such selfless acts through such real life examples of heroes from all over the world. It’s amazing that some people can be so compassionate for others and what a way to live our lives. This is such a different message from everything else on social media and so on because everything else in pop culture and the movies seem to glamorize and advocate materialistic and a self-gratification. It is great that Tsem Rinpoche’s blog is a counter to the winds of pop culture and such. Even when people cannot do the same like he does but we can all do our part to support such causes or get involve in a cause that transcends into the realm of selflessness.
What a great man Sasha is! He has proved that he really loves doggies and he is wiling to take care of them and love them unconditionally. Taking care of a dog is already not an easy thing to do, in fact, he has 400 doggies! Even though he hasn’t got much money, he still did not give up on saving the doggies. I hope more people would be like Sasha, our earth then would be a much better place to live.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
this guy is so nice and compassionate to these animals which proves that he is a very good person. he has so many dogs, how he manages all of them i don’t know how he does it but he does it. i myself have 3 dogs at my house and i love them and sasha has 400, i hope he lives long so he can save many more lives.
Dear Rinpoche,
It’s true what Rinpoche has said that “Once in a while, we come across a story so touching from beginning to end. Stories of those who have done good deeds simply because they can’t bear to witness the suffering of others”
I totally agree with this because reading through Sasha story about what he has been doing, how it all started and etc I feel so touched inside because even though he is basically taking care of 400 dogs by his own self he has no complains, no thought of giving up as well no thought of regretting he has done that.
I am so happy for Sasha not only is he giving the dogs he has taken under his arms a better life but also because even though he is totally cash strapped he has no complains or thoughts of giving up because there is no resources as well as money for him to take care of the dogs.
I hope and pray that he will soon get help from the society and community so that he will not have to worry about getting part time jobs to make ends meet.
Good job Sasha and may you find the sponsors soon!
Thank you Rinpoche for Sharing!
Love
Jutika
Yet another inspiring and heartwarming story. SHowing me that kind people exist all over the world. To be able to do so much for beings who cannot help themselves. He reminds me of our very own Pak Mie. Such a selfless act. And for people to dump dogs at Sasha’s doorsteps was just unbelievable. Its just being selfish for dumping your problems on someone else and hoping that they solve your problems. I really hope that help is coming and that this post can help create the awareness for the help needed.
Here in Kechara, we are also helping strays get a better place to live and taken care of. Pastor Susan is doing a great job. I remember her saying that her house is like a zoo now because there are so many stray dogs and cats that she picked up along the way. Haha.. She is also looking for a suitable place and sponsors to help these poor animals. Thank you Pastor Susan!
Yes we have 12 dogs in our house and 8 cats. And Pastor Susan also has 30 other dogs she is looking after in a shelter. Money is always an issue when looking after animals because you cannot just put them elsewhere. There are vet bills to pay for medical help, vaccinations etc. And the animals have no one else to look after them. To have an animal sanctuary is expensive – to make sure there are caretakers to keep the animals clean and well looked after etc – so support is crucial. If people do not have the time or energy to look after these poor animals, the best they can do is to contribute towards and support those who can.
OMB! 400 mumus! What a wonderful, kind soul Sasha is! The Serbian version of our Pak Mie! Hehe
This story can inspire so many. Even though Sasha isn’t financially strong, but he keeps giving! (Unlike me.. )
I am so glad that there are kind souls such as Sasha that helps doggies from getting euthanized. We need more heroes around the world. We might start off by Rescuing small amount of animals, but eventually we will grow to help more in future! We have to be the change we wish to see. =)
Just like us humans, animals deserve love, kindness, care and compassion too!
And very soon, our K.A.S would be up and running and we can rescue more stray animals of the streets! =D
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche!
Yes, Jessica — Sasha is the Serbian equivalent of our Malaysian Pak Mie, whereas Pak Mie shelters dogs and cats, Sasha has only dogs under his care.
What is interesting to note is that people noticed what he was doing and they dropped off puppies, and without a care in the world, did not offer to help him in any way.
It is a pity that people who are doing so good for other beings, get in trouble because the lack of money. He must feel terrible not being able to feed the dogs.
How can he explain this to the dogs??
Sasha is a really kind person and I think that people should do all they can to help him. I hope that more and more people will take the initiative to help animals. In fact, Kechara Animal Sanctuary is doing the same and KAS still needs help too!