Editorial Note: This is part of a series that profiles the recipients of Lady Freethinker’s Urgent Need Fund 2025 grant program. The program was created to support nonprofit organizations involved in animal rescue and care, as well as those that promote better animal treatment. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, click here.
Lady Freethinker is helping protect Albania’s dogs, cats, and wildlife through a $10,000 Urgent Need Fund grant to Animals Need Me, allocated to fund a critical anti-poisoning education campaign in the region.
Luli the Dog, a stray who was threatened with poisoning before being rescued (L); Anton the Dog, a leishmania survivor who is old and gentle (R) (Lady Freethinker)
According to the organization, which is based in Shkoder, Albania, hundreds of animals are killed each day across the country by animal poisoning. These horrific acts are carried out by individuals and even municipalities as a cruel form of population control. This widespread poisoning is causing indiscriminate suffering, threatening endangered species, and putting public health and ecosystems at risk.
“Tackling this issue is vital to protect vulnerable animals, uphold humane standards of care, and promote safer, more ethical approaches to population management,” Animals Need Me Founder Oli Pero told LFT.
Lordi the Dog, who was a stray threatened with poisoning before being rescued (L); Thor the Dog, who is a parvovirus survivor (R) (Lady Freethinker)
The rescue operates a shelter, provides urgent medical care and rehabilitation, conducts sterilization and vaccination campaigns, and facilitates international adoptions. It also delivers education programs, advocates for legislative reform, and created Albania’s first companion-animal registration app.
The funding will support a two-month anti-poisoning campaign featuring TV ads, banners, humane education in schools, and workshops with officials that highlight the devastating effects of animal poisoning and promote humane population-management alternatives.
Pullalia the Dog, who was hit by a car before being rescued (L); Balo the Dog, who was shot before being rescued (R) (Lady Freethinker)
Animals Need Me anticipates that the campaign will help protect an estimated 10,000 dogs, cats, and wild animals from poisoning. It also hopes to enhance legal advocacy to help ensure perpetrators are held accountable and to discourage future offenses.
While the project’s activities have not yet begun, the organization’s shelter has already saved dozens of animals from poisoning, and its legal team is working to secure justice for the ones who didn’t survive.
Timmy the Dog, who was weak & skinny when rescued and cannot hear well (L); Faith the Dog, who was found starving in an abandoned house (R) (Lady Freethinker)
“This grant is more than financial support; it is a powerful statement that cruelty will not be tolerated and that compassion can drive lasting change,” Pero said.
LFT is grateful to our supporters for making this lifesaving project possible. Your compassion enables us to continue assisting organizations that bring safety, kindness, and hope to animals in need.
