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Above: Save the Animals-Armenia's shelter, where all the dogs get their share of belly rubs
ABOUT SAVE THE ANIMALS OF ARMENIA
Stray dogs in Yerevan are often killed by the municipality. Nuneh, a piano teacher, could not stand to see the dead bodies of dogs on the streets of Yerevan city and hear the shootings every night. So she took it upon herself to form a charity that would save the dogs from the killing. Save the Animals provides the only sanctuary these dogs have from this cruel form of “animal control.”
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Save the Animals: A registered charity in Armenia and the only animal shelter in Yerevan.
Operating an animal shelter any place in the world is costly and time consuming. Even so, in 2003, Nuneh decided to start the Save the Animals’ shelter in Yerevan, Armenia. She rented a small, run-down factory, put her friends and supporters to work building the kennels, and repaired the existing building, making a space for the kitchen, with a small hub to cook food for the dogs. At that time, Nuneh probably never imagined she would have over 200 dogs at the shelter, and a staff that includes a manager, cook, cleaners, and a day guard.
Eventually, Nuneh found that all her income was going towards keeping the sanctuary running. She was going to the sanctuary every day with meat and other supplies, and sometimes she’d even have to go at night to check the situation at the shelter. After so many harsh winters, the kennels and the building are badly run down and in need of repair. The shelter needs new electrical wiring, a new roof, and an improved drainage system.

This excerpt from a fundraising letter, written in support of Save the Animals, certainly puts things in perspective:
As we are getting near to our freezing season, we are getting ready to save our animals in the kennel from freezing; Armenia has a very harsh winter for everyone concerned.
We are desperately trying to fix more kennels to protect the dogs from dying in cold weather. Some of our dogs are in their weakest state when they arrive; they need immediate care and attention to survive their injuries in a very cold atmosphere in the kennels.
We would be grateful if you could help us in getting the following for the sanctuary:

  • Building materials, to renew and built ceiling for outside kennels, estimated cost $500.00. This should be done in spring and summer time before next freezing winter, as after December 30th it would not be possible to work in outside spaces.
  • Heating cost for five month, mid December to mid May, estimated cost $400.00
  • Food for 220 dogs, estimated cost of food each month is $300.00, we are desperately trying to keep enough food for the freezing period, in the winter, sometime we are unable to get to the wholesalers and to kennels, as the road to the kennel is blocked with a mountain of snow, we need to get enough fresh meat in the freezer and dry food to feed the dogs at least once a day.

Please help us, in helping our four legged friends, we are desperate to keep them alive, anything from you would be greatly appreciated, no amount of money is small in this situation.
The cost of running the sanctuary is great. And Nuneh, with her only income from teaching piano, has had to shoulder most of this. Food, medication, and salaries for staff, while low by American standards, add up when there is no government funding, and when private donations are few and very small. Although it’s been difficult, Nuneh is weathering the current economic crisis and the cut in individual donations that has resulted. With a dedicated cadre of volunteers and AKI’s help, we are confident the shelter will continue to operate and provide a sanctuary for Armenia’s dogs in need.  
Save the Animals Requests:
  • Pledges of $5 a month or more, so that Nuneh can rely on a regular “income” to feed her shelter animals, and provide for their other needs.
  • Donations of any amount to help Nuneh fund shelter repairs. See photos below of the shelter.
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Dogs in need of homes at the Save the Animals' shelter, Yerevan, Armenia.
about Save the Animals' efforts to help the dogs and cats in Yerevan
12 October 2010 Update
I organize different actions concerning animal protection, and the most of them is for raising money for shelter dogs. For example in this October 4, I organized color chalk drawing action on the ground, it was like celebrating the day of animals, and during this event I was raising money for 6 dogs from the shelter who has cancers and need argent surgery. And we collected all the money needed for 6 dogs (please click on photos below to view images from from that action). Before the action we also organized press conference where 4 famous people were talking about street dogs problem, and about how our country could use the budget for killing dogs more effectively, for saving them, and the problem would be solved easier. Well, this is for now!
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Rally around the Armenian Gampr. The Armenian Gampr is the national dog of Armenia. It is a sheepherding dog, strong and proud. Save the Animals hopes to  encourage Armenians to be proud of this national symbol of their country.
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Click on the photos below for a larger image.
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