<div><strong>Hi, my name is Jessie, and I’m fundraising to help abandoned dogs in Bulgaria.</strong>
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<div>In early 2025, my mum moved from the UK to Bulgaria. Not long after arriving, she came across her first abandoned dog roaming the streets — painfully thin, covered in fleas, and clearly desperate for comfort. Without hesitation, she took him home, bathed him, and took him to the vet for vaccinations and a full health check. That little dog, now named <strong>Gizmo</strong>, became part of her family.
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<div>Sadly, Gizmo was not an isolated case.
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<div>As time went on, my mum began noticing more and more abandoned dogs — hungry, frightened, and left to survive on their own. She fed as many as she could, whenever she could. Then, recently, she came across a severely underweight mother dog and her six tiny puppies living in a local park. She fed them daily, but as winter approached and temperatures dropped, it became clear that the puppies would not survive the cold.
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<div>With no other option, my mum brought the entire little family into her home to save them from freezing to death.
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<div>Once the mother dog was strong enough, she was taken to the vet to be spayed. During surgery, the vets discovered a large abscess in her abdomen, which had to be removed. She must have been in terrible pain for a long time. Thankfully, she is now safe, healing, and — after what appears to have been an incredibly hard life — has finally found love and security.
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<div>Unfortunately, my mum simply cannot keep all of the puppies — doing so would mean caring for ten dogs in total. She tried tirelessly to find them homes. She contacted local and municipal shelters, only to be told again and again that they are completely full. I then began reaching out from the UK to charities, rescues, and foster networks across the country, only to receive the same heartbreaking response every time: <strong>they are all at capacity, many already stretched far beyond it.</strong>
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<div><strong><em>A heartbreaking reality</em></strong>
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<div>Through this journey, I’ve come to understand the devastating scale of the problem.
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<div>Across Bulgaria, <strong>thousands of dogs are abandoned every year</strong> — left to face hunger, illness, extreme weather, and abuse. Many of these dogs are gentle, loving, and simply unlucky.
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<div>There are incredible foster parents and small charities in Bulgaria doing everything they can to help — but they are overwhelmed. There are far more dogs in need than there are resources available.
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<div>This fundraiser was created in the hope of helping to change that.
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<div><strong><em>What this fundraiser is for</em></strong>
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<div>I am raising funds in a <strong>personal capacity</strong> to support trusted local foster parents and small shelters in Bulgaria who work tirelessly to rescue, feed, and care for abandoned dogs.
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<div>These amazing people provide:
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<div>- Safety and warmth
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<div>- Food and daily care
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<div>- Veterinary treatment and rehabilitation
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<div>They also help prepare dogs for <strong>rehoming into loving, safe forever homes in the UK</strong>, giving them a second chance at life.
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<div><strong><em>How your donation will help</em></strong>
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<div>Funds raised will go directly towards:
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<div>- Food, bedding, and daily care for abandoned dogs
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<div>- Veterinary treatment, vaccinations, and parasite prevention
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<div>- Supporting local foster families and small shelters in Bulgaria
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<div>- Helping cover the costs involved in safely rehoming dogs to the UK
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<div>- Raising awareness of the ongoing stray dog crisis and helping find adopters
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<div>Every single donation — no matter the size — helps keep these dogs safe, warm, and cared for while they wait for their chance at a better life.
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<div><strong><em>Transparency &amp; updates</em></strong>
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<div>This fundraiser is built on honesty and full transparency.
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<div>All donations will be used solely for the care and rehoming of abandoned dogs
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<div>Regular updates will be shared, including photos, progress, and outcomes
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<div>A clear breakdown of how funds are spent will be made available
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<div>I truly believe that donors deserve to see exactly how their kindness is making a difference.
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<div><strong><em>Looking ahead</em></strong>
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<div>If fundraising goes well, my hope is to continue supporting these dogs long-term — helping more of them reach safety, while raising ongoing awareness of the situation in Bulgaria. Ultimately, the goal is not only rescue, but prevention, education, and lasting change.
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<div><strong><em>How you can help</em></strong>
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<div>- Donate if you’re able
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<div>- Share this page to help spread awareness
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<div>- Consider adopting or fostering if you’re in a position to help
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<div>Together, we can give these dogs the chance they deserve — a life filled with love, safety, and warmth.
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<div><strong>Thank you so much for taking the time to read and support this cause.</strong> 
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Nadine Pickersgill

Let's help give abandoned dogs a new lease on life!

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