Romania Animal Rescue, Inc. (RAR) has established the first free spay/neuter program for the impoverished people of Romania. RAR's Trap/Neuter/Release program enables animal caregivers to bring in their cats and dogs to be treated for parasites, vaccinated, and neutered at no cost. RAR returns them to the caregiver and to their previous location. They no longer contribute to overpopulation.

The program has proven so successful, RAR has been able to train veterinarians and students in the cities of Bucharest, Galati, Braila, Sibiu, Buzau, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, and Arad. Our help does not end there--we also give supplies to the newly-trained veterinarians so they can continue with their new skills.

Unlike the Western World, there are few charities in Romania. Volunteerism is scarce. Families and neighbors reach out to each other instead of asking strangers for help. There is an intergenerational legacy of distrust because of their history of war and betrayal. The historic Orthodox Church is revered by most there, but has no role in the country's social or economic problems.

The United States is a nation of pet lovers and is also a nation of immigrants. Our melting pot is stirred by altruism passed down through generations before us who came here for a better life. Our ancestors left hardship for hope but never forgot about the less fortunate. We must continue the tradition that they so wisely started.

The United States is a young country with Old World values. As our country grew, so did our pet population. We have a long way to go to solve our own crisis but the solution is a work in progress.

An important part of our heritage is to share our wealth, donate our time, help the less fortunate, and to give back. Those of us who work with Romania Animal Rescue have devoted decades to volunteer work for local and national animal welfare groups in the United States. This experience compels us to help some of the least fortunate and most desperate animals whose faces cross our collective minds before our heads hit the pillows each night.