Help Give Mongolia's Strays a Second Chance

We are a small group of friends in our twenties, brought together by a deep love for animals. We’re raising funds to support UB Shelter – one of only two dog shelters in Mongolia. We came together over a shared belief that all animals deserve warmth, care, and a real shot at life. This campaign is our way of turning that belief into something tangible. We also want people everywhere to know about Ariunsanaa and his team. Their work deserves recognition, support, and a network of allies who care. Whether you live in the UK, Mongolia, or anywhere in between, love for animals needs no translation.

UB Shelter sits 20km outside Ulaanbaatar and is currently home to 106 dogs. It’s a modest space covering the size of four family plots (around 500 m²), supported by three full-time staff, one part-timer, and a community of volunteers. The shelter runs on donations, goodwill, and an extraordinary amount of daily work. But the land they’re on can only support about half the number of dogs they care for. Despite their best efforts, overpopulation is beginning to strain the space and the dogs themselves. And while the team receives daily requests to take in more animals, they can’t say yes without risking the health, safety, and rehoming chances of the dogs already there.

Dogs are separated into groups by size and temperament using a simple system of fences. Like people, neglected animals respond differently to stress and care. Some are withdrawn, others defensive. The shelter workers manage these dynamics with empathy, often isolating new arrivals until they’re ready to interact. Cleaning is done manually, taking 2–3 hours daily. With over 100 dogs, waste quickly adds up. The shelter uses wood shavings to absorb urine, and with bin trucks only arriving once a month, nearly 100 sacks of waste accumulate between pickups.

Most striking of all: the workers are unpaid. Every penny donated goes directly toward food, medicine, and other critical needs. Hiring one paid worker would consume a large part of their monthly budget. Despite this, the team pushes forward—motivated entirely by compassion.

During summer, volunteers—including classrooms and friend groups—often help with cleaning and repairs. In winter, harsh -30°C conditions and frozen roads make it far harder. Still, warm meals are cooked twice a day, and donated blankets help protect the dogs from the cold.

UB Shelter welcomes animals of all ages. Puppies are easier to rehome, but they also care for elderly and disabled dogs, offering love and dignity in their final months. Sadly, only 7–8 dogs are adopted each year, most of them internationally. Capacity can be maxed out in a single day, as abandoned animals continue to arrive. Still, no dog is turned away without deep thought.

The shelter has collaborated with the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia, Korea’s Jeju University, and international rescues including a U.S. cocker spaniel group. Nearly 90% of their dogs are neutered and 80% vaccinated, despite the high cost of vaccines. UB Shelter is also officially registered as an NGO in Mongolia and holds certification.

Depending on how much we raise, your donations can go a long way:

£10 – Feeds up to 20 dogs for a full day with dry food.

£20 – Covers the cost to vaccinate and neuter one dog, contributing to long-term health and population control.

£10,000 – Would be transformational. This level of funding would enable UB Shelter to begin a full upgrade of their current facilities—expanding space, improving shelter infrastructure, and creating a safer, more sustainable environment for the dogs.

No matter the size, every donation brings meaningful change to the lives of these animals.

We’ll be flying to Mongolia on 22 June and visiting the shelter between 3–5 July. We will deliver both the supplies and a cheque directly. One of us works in anti-money laundering and understands the importance of transparency. Every donation will be accounted for, with receipts and updates provided throughout the campaign.

To support this, we’re also taking on a long-distance walk, hosting office food sales, and designing awareness posters to tell the stories of individual dogs. These efforts are not only to raise funds—but to remind people why this work matters.

Our idea of success goes beyond numbers. It’s about giving these dogs a second chance. It’s about honouring the work of Ariunsanaa and her team, who’ve given so much with so little. It’s about reminding the world that love for animals crosses all borders.

If you’ve ever looked at your dog and felt comfort, loyalty, or peace, then you already understand the heart of this cause.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.