What began as a European campervan adventure quickly turned into something far greater, a mission to rescue the forgotten street dogs of the Balkans.

After leaving the EU due to post-Brexit visa rules, we drove into Bosnia and Montenegro. We were excited to explore, but nothing could prepare us for what we found.

Stray dogs. Everywhere.

From tiny puppies to frail older dogs, some starving, sleeping on hot concrete, desperately searching for scraps of food, drops of water and human love.

Coming from Cornwall, where dogs are treated like family, it was utterly heartbreaking.

And the brutal truth? On the streets here, dogs face starvation, thirst, beatings, poisoning, and even mass euthanasia. Puppies are dumped like rubbish. Many never survive their first winter.

We couldn’t just look away.

Leo: Our First Rescue, Our Forever Boy

One hot evening outside a supermarket in Bosnia, we saw a young dog curled up on the pavement. Someone had left a packet of meat nearby. As soon as he smelled it, he woke and gobbled it up in seconds. He was clearly hungry.

We called him, and he ran straight over, tail wagging, rolling onto his back for a belly rub, clearly still a puppy. Right then, he stole our hearts.

We had a spare lead in our bag. If he walked with us, we’d take him. If not, we wouldn’t force it. To our amazement, he walked like he’d been waiting for us all along.

The local shelter was already full. We couldn’t put him back on the streets. So he came with us.

For the next few days he finally slept safely, played, cuddled, and soaked up the love.

When it came time to find him a forever home, the first person I decided to call and ask for help was my friend in the UK. In my wildest dreams, I didn't expect that Layla would adopt him!

But to complete shock, she and her brother didn't hesitate and said:

“We'll take him.”

Now Leo is safe, in quarantine, waiting to travel to Cornwall, where his future is beaches, forests, and loving family.

Nickie – Saved from the Campsite

In Montenegro, we met a small stray puppy at a campsite. She was sweet, playful, desperate for affection, but unwanted.

The owners chased her with a broom, even tried to hit her with a shoe. One morning, we heard a piercing scream: they were forcing her into a car. She shook in the backseat, terrified. We didn't know exactly where they planned to take her, but it was clear, they were not taking her anywhere safe. Most likely, they just wanted to dump her somewhere...or worse.

After a heated conversation, we knew, we couldn't leave her there. Unsure of what would come next, but certain we had to protect her.

Amazingly, at our next stop, a kind local man heard her story and decided to adopt her - another miracle!

He named her Nickie. For the first time, she had a real name and a safe home.

Next Rescue: A Puppy from Trebinje

Three weeks ago, we found a puppy in a Bosnian park. We had to leave the country but couldn’t stop thinking about her.

With help from a local shelter, we found her again. She’s been spayed, vaccinated, and is in quarantine. At the beginning of October, we will finally be able to pick her up and welcome her into our lives! We’ll give her the love she deserves and do our best to find her a forever, loving home.

But So Many More Are Still Out There...

For every Leo or Nickie, there are thousands more.

Dogs who won’t be so lucky.

Dogs who tonight will go to sleep hungry, beaten, or not wake up at all.

We’ve seen how much one small act of kindness can change a life. And we want to keep helping.

But we can’t do it alone.

Please Help Us Help Them

Rescuing a dog doesn’t end at taking them off the streets. We must also:

• Cover vaccinations and vet care

• Pay for passports, transport and quarantine

• Pay for dog food to feed those still on the streets

• Give more dogs the chance to find loving families

These costs add up quickly, and without support, we can’t continue.

There is no real fund target. The more we raise , the more dogs we can help.

If you’ve ever loved a dog, you know the joy they bring. Now it’s our turn to give back to those who’ve been forgotten.

-Donate what you can

- Share our story

-Help us save more lives

Even £1 can feed a hungry dog or go towards their care. We truly believe if people could see what we see, they would want to help too.

Please , help us save more dogs and give them the future they deserve, safe and loved.

Thank you

Joanna and James