A Word of Thanks

In animal rescue you can easily get overwhelmed by the daily logistics and challenges. Getting caught up in the stress, sadness and fatigue. But there are also the "highs" like when you are able to get your adored rescues in loving, lifetime homes. Be it on the island or occasionally abroad.
We just want to take this moment to SINCERELY THANK all our dedicated fosters, volunteers, sponsors, fans and followers. Rescue work is team work and we are blessed and proud to be part of such a loving and trusting community that is TEAMCARF.

It is truly an international movement with support from across the globe. We pride ourselves on the best possible (medical) care for our street dogs, cats and more... and could NEVER do this without YOU! Un danki di kurason.


Scroll down for a few of our highlights of the last month.

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Dushi and Chopke (previously Manneke), the two brothers who started their lives frightened, hungry and hurting living on a landfill, are now in Belgium. Thanks to longtime CARF supporters Thierry & Pascale (left) who worked so hard to catch them, and who fostered Dushi these last few months, these brothers will now enjoy a careless life of luxury and security with their adoptive parents. Awesome job guys, you saved not one but two lives!
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Kanoa, who recently moved to the Netherlands, is having such a blast! Here she is enjoying a walk in the dunes with her furry sister. She also went to her first restaurant a few days ago. This is just so amazing and we are so very grateful to her loving family.
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Trinity and Fien, both rescued from terrible situations. Excellent ambassadors for the resilient Curacao Street Dog breed. Here they are enjoying a sunset on the beach in their new home country Spain.
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Never has a name been so appropriate for one of our rescues. Lucky was found by Tanja & Vinny in the secluded area of Lagun while vacationing in Curaçao. After receiving the necessary medical treatments to get well he was ready to join them. Earlier this month he made the trip to his lifetime home in New York State to live with his saviours ! Lucky was a true champ during the trip and we are so proud of how he has settled in to his new home and new routine. We are so grateful to this loving family for adopting Lucky Lagun and for their generous donation towards the care of Lucky's fellow CARFIES. Lucky had no idea how his life would change the day he was seen by his rescuers. We wish you all the best sweetie and we will see you again soon!
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About a month ago, Jo and Rosie (Joslyn and Roslyn) were adopted by a lovely couple who fell in love with Roslyn after seeing some of her pictures on our Facebook. They also wanted to adopt a puppy and after meeting several of our CARFIES they found a cute little sister for Rosie in Jo. Rosie and Jo immediately hit it off and have been by each others' sides ever since. Thank you Alex & Susi for giving these two a second chance in life!

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Organiseert Zomer Adoptie Event in Dominguito (NL)

Op zaterdag 25 juni organiseert Curaçao Animal Rights Foundation (CARF) een Meet & Greet waar geïnteresseerden kennis kunnen maken met verschillende honden die van straat zijn gered en geadopteerd kunnen worden.
De Meet & Greet zal plaatsvinden tussen 10 uur ‘s ochtends en 12:00 uur ‘s middags aan de Beshiweg 1, achter Supermarkt Vreugdenhil in Dominguito. Er zullen honden van verschillende leeftijden, groottes en achtergronden aanwezig zijn. Alle aanwezige honden zijn ingeënt en gechipt en door een erkend dierenarts gezond verklaard. Het steriliseren/castreren is inbegrepen in de adoptie vergoeding van Naf. 150,- per hond.

Middels dit adoptie evenement hoopt CARF zo veel mogelijk honden aan een liefdevol baasje te kunnen helpen. De stichting is momenteel overvol en kan geen nieuwe hulpbehoevende honden meer opnemen voordat er eerst enkele honden worden geadopteerd.

“Zwaar vermagerde, mishandelde honden, nesten met puppy’s, gedumpte honden, het zijn maar enkele voorbeelden van praktijken die op Curaçao bijna alledaagse kost zijn. Wij ontvangen regelmatig berichten van mensen die honden in erbarmelijke staat hebben gevonden, soms zelfs meer dood dan levend. Nadat ze bij ons op krachten zijn gekomen, door onze dierenarts gezond zijn verklaard, en dusdanig zijn gesocialiseerd, worden ze aangeboden ter adoptie,” zegt Lisette van der Heijden, vrijwilligster bij CARF. “Mensen die ooit al eens een zwerfhond van CARF geadopteerd hebben, zeggen achteraf vaak dat dit een van de beste beslissingen in hun leven is geweest. De liefde die zulke honden geven, overstijgt vaak alle verwachtingen.”

De zomerperiode is voor veel mensen een ideale tijd om een hond te adopteren. Door dit evenement net voor de zomervakantie te organiseren, hoopt de stichting mensen de mogelijk te bieden om ruim de tijd te nemen voor het introduceren van hun adoptie hond in een nieuwe omgeving.

CARF nodigt iedereen uit die overweegt een hond aan te schaffen aanwezig te zijn op het evenement. Ook mensen die interesse hebben in de werkzaamheden van CARF, of die een donatie willen langsbrengen in de vorm van geld of goederen zoals hondenvoer, schoonmaakartikelen en speeltjes, zullen warm worden ontvangen.

Stichting CARF werd in 2008 opgericht en is de oudste ‘no-kill’ stichting op Curaçao. CARF heeft meer dan honderdvijftig verwaarloosde en voormalige zwerfhonden onder hun hoede, maar draait nog altijd volledig op donaties en vrijwilligers. Voor meer informatie kunt u de Facebook pagina ‘CARF Curacao’ raadplegen of mailen naar stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIE Of The Week Rennai ♀

​Rennai is a pretty young lady who was completely lost when she was found near one of the larger hotels on the island. Thankfully, Rennai can put that life behind her. She is more than ready to enjoy the carefree life that every dog should get the privilege to enjoy.
Rennai was placed in a loving foster home to receive extra-attentive, compassionate care. With the help of her foster, she has blossomed into a healthy, active dog, full of personality. She has been spayed and recovered beautifully from surgery.

Today, Rennai is a happy, playful, fluffy lovebug who does well with both humans and furry friends. Rennai is fully vetted and ready for a house to call home.

For more information about Rennai or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers

Adopted: Lucky Lagun Finally Finds His Luck

Home in time for Father's day! Never has a name been so appropriate for one of our rescues. Lucky was found by Tanja and Vinny in the secluded area of Lagun while they were vacationing in Curaçao. They immediately knew they wanted a better life for him, a life that he could spend living with them!

Vacations always come to an end sooner or later, and Tanja and Vinny had to go back home, without Lucky. Although they couldn't take Lucky home with them that they, the decided they wanted to adopt him and have him fly over as soon as he'd be ready to make the trip.

So Lucky stayed on Curaçao and became a CARFIE. After receiving the necessary medical treatments to get well, Lucky was finally ready to join his new family in the States. This week, Lucky made the trip to his lifetime home in New York State to live with his saviours!

Lucky was a true champ during the trip and we are so proud of how he has settled in to his new home and new routine. We are so grateful to this loving family for adopting Lucky Lagun and for their generous donation towards the care of Lucky's fellow CARFIES.

Lucky had no idea how his life would change the day he was seen by his rescuers. We wish you all the best sweetie and we will see you again soon!

 

by Cassandra Bowers

Meet & Greet 'Home Before The Holidays'

Thinking of adding a furry friend to your family? Summer is a great time to adopt a dog as you and your family might have some extra time to bond with your new pet. That is why, on Saturday, June 25th, we are hosting a 'Home Before the Holidays Meet & Greet' where you can meet and mingle with our adoptable mutts.
We have all kinds of dogs, of all ages, available to join your family. All of them are microchipped and up-to-date with their vaccinations. The ones that are 6 months and older have already been neutered/spayed.

The adoption fee is Nafl. 150,- (incl. spay/neuter). We always do a homecheck for any potential adoptive homes. You may contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com to schedule a home check. If the home check is successful, you can come pick out your CARFIE and take him/her home with you!

When you adopt, not only do you save an animal, you also open up space for another homeless dog who might need our help.

* Even if you are not in the position to adopt a dog right now, you are more than welcome to join us! Our CARFIES love to play, be pet, and snuggle with you. Our volunteers will be able to tell you more about our foundation, our foster program, and volunteer opportunities. If you'd like, you can bring donations. We can always use toys for our puppies, cleaning supplies and paper towels, coconut oil for our dogs with skin problems, and preventatives (HeartGard and NexGard).

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by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIE Of The Week Tank ♂

Meet Tank. Tank has been a part of the CARF family for quite some time now and he's more than ready to move in with a loving family to call his own. At his previous home, Tank wasn't treated that well but he's ready to leave that in the past and move forward.
These days, Tank is a very joyful and easy-going boy. He would love to be part of your family, become your companion for life, and safeguard your house.

For more information about Tank or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIE Of The Week: Dipper ♂

There are still four puppies from the Perdita-litter looking for a forever home to call their own. Dipper is one of these puppies. Dipper is a handsome little fellow who is chipped, vaccinated, and ready to move in with a loving family.
Last weekend, Dipper attended our Meet & Greet but unfortunately noone came for him. He is very hopeful that someone will come forward very soon to adopt him. Will you be that person...?

For more information about Dipper or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers

The Starving Dogs That Give Curaçao A Bad Name

Do you see this poor creature that the good Lord put on this earth? Are you seeing his ribs protruding out? Have you seen the suffering and pain in his eyes? I drove by heading to an appointment and saw him in the parking lot waiting for someone to have mercy on him, feed him, give him water, something. On the way back, I had to stop.

​What you see is him finish in up some nuggets I bought for him. The employees and passerby's looked at me like I was crazy and some has some foreign words that didn't sound too kind. I'm done holding tongue.

The Starving Dogs of Curaçao

​I have been asked by so many people, "why are you leaving Curaçao?" Believe me, there are A LOT more other reasons but the treatment, or lack thereof, of their canine/feline community disgust me. Yes, DISGUST. Any one who knows me knows animals have been part of my family since I breathed my first breath.

Witnessing horrors began since I landed. During my first week in 2014, as I drove into the parking lot of my job, I sobbed on the phone with my sister, not sure I would be able to remain in this island... just because of all the atrocities I saw happening to the dogs. She helped me gain perspective by saying: if people don't have money to keep food on the table for their family, a dog's life won't matter. If the government has other issues to worry about, canine control will come last. I get it, but enough is #@-& enough.

Don't have animals if you can't take care of them

Don't have animals if you can't take care of them. Do the right things and have them spayed and neutered. I have seen too many dead dogs and cats on the road as if normal. IT's NOT!!! Pets living chained. Dogs having litter upon litter upon litter. Puppies being starved even when they have owners. Dogs carcasses remaining on main roads for weeks on end, in the heat of this sun.

​I'm pissed. I'm annoyed. There are a few people, like the volunteers at CARF, here doing their damnedest to help these animals and trying to educate the community, but the push back is real. Lord knows I can't feed all animals, but I'm lacing up my sandals now and getting that cutie pie some real food. If anyone knows of any shelters that take international animals, please let me know. My heart hurts.

'The Starving Dogs That Give Curaçao A Bad Name', a submitted letter by: Anj.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIES Of The Week: Olijfje, Brutus, Popeye

Just try to tell yourself that Olive, Brutus and Popeye are not the cutest trio you've ever seen! Believe us, we tried. But look how adorable these three siblings are and how much they love to cuddle. The best news? All three of them are now ready to be adopted.
Popeye, Brutus and Olive (Olijfje), also known as the San Juan Pups, were severely dehydrated and pretty fed-up with their lives when they were found at San Juan Beach. They were very quiet when rescued and they had no energy to play or do much.

But they have shown us to never underestimate the power of quality food, proper care, and some CARFIELOVE!  Within days, this trio bounced back to being healthy and happy puppies. They have been vaccinated and microchipped and they are ready to move to their forever homes. As soon as they are old enough, they will get be spayed/neutered.

For more information about Olive (Olijfje), Brutus, Popeye, or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.
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by Cassandra Bowers

Wanted: CARF Foster Families

Can you offer us a helping hand? If you can provide a temporary home for a dog in Curaçao, we want to hear from you! CARF needs volunteers to take in dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds, that have been abused, neglected or abandoned by their owners, or who have been living on the streets but are in desperate need of care.
CARF Curaçao pays all medical bills and provides all supplies (beds, toys, food, medicine, etc.). Foster families provide food, attention and love, while CARF searches for permanent homes for the animals.

For more information or to sign up as a foster parents, please contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Anniversary: 8 Years of Animal Rescue

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On Sunday, May 29th, CARF celebrated its 8th anniversary at La Palmeraie Resort in Santa Catharina, Curaçao. Together with over 200 sponsors, supporters, volunteers and fellow animal lovers, we celebrated our successful rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the last eight years.
Although we are hoping we won't have to make it to the next eight years, we want to sincerely thank everyone who has in some way been a part of our journey so far, and hope that we can continue to count on your support in the years to come.

Check out the pictures and event video below.

For more info:
www.carfdogrescue.com
www.facebook.com/carfcuracao
www.instagram.com/carfcuracao

For donations:
Maduro & Curiel's Bank: 21199501
Banco di Caribe: 301647 500 001 100 01

Pictures by Michèle van Veldhoven. Video by Jeroen Holtmaat.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF: 8 Years Of Rescuing & Rehoming Dogs

Woohoo! We've officially made it to our 8th anniversary. Phew. Time flies when you're... well, we wouldn't necessarily say 'having fun', but when you're 'busy making a difference'. Today marks eight years of rescuing hundreds of animals that were mistreated, abused, neglected or injured.
Sadly, in the world of animal rescue we see sick and neglected dogs often, but sometimes we are still shocked by the cruelty on our little island. It might be just a drop in the ocean, but when we all make a small effort we might make this world a better place for animals.

Let's adopt, foster, donate, volunteer and educate, as much as possible.

There's still a long way to go, but we are not giving up. Not on the animals, not on our cause, not on our community. We want to sincerely thank everyone who has in some way been a part of our journey so far , and hope that we can continue to count on your support in the years to come... 

CARF (Curaçao Animal Rights Foundation)
Fostering Second Chances.
Maduro & Curiel's Bank: 21199501
Banco di Caribe: 301647 500 001 100 01
PayPal: www.carfdogrescue.com

by Cassandra Bowers

8 Before & After Photos Show What Love Does To Dogs

A little TLC goes a long way for a homeless animal. Several of our foster familie shared their before and after pictures with us. Check them out to see what a combination of a loving (foster) home, quality food, and an amazing veterinary team can do for dogs.
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Puppy Kingsley became a CARFIE just around King's Day, hence the name. When we found him, he was covered in ticks (yes, those are all ticks on the left picture). Fast forward three/four weeks later and he's all smiles. Kingsley has been chipped and vaccinated and is ready to be adopted. Contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com for more info or to set up a meet & greet.
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Puppy Maxim was in rough shape when he first joined the CARF family. His paw got severely injured and he wouldn't use it. He was placed in a foster home where he learned how to trust, act like a puppy, and where he made a miraculous recovery. Maxim has been adopted by a very loving family and is using all four paws these days.
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We know what you're thinking, 'is this even the same dog?' The answer is, yes. Dushi was found on the landfill. He was in very bad shape and didn't trust people at all. He was placed in a foster home where another, adult dog taught him 'how to dog'. Today, Dushi is the most outgoing, social, hairy cuddle bug that you could imagine. Dushi is living with his foster family but will move to his forever home in June 2016.
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Roslyn was found wandering the streets, in heat, dragging a chain around her neck. From the very beginning, Roslyn has been so very sweet. She just wants to cuddle, be pet, and be as close to her human as possible. Roslyn was adopted late May and is now living the good life with her adoptive parents and furry sister.
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If it wasn't for those adorable, big ears of her, would you even recognize Leda? This little cutie was rescued just outside of Hato International Airport. Although still a little shy at times, Leda has pretty much turned into a little ball of energy. She isn't ready to be adopted just yet as we are still treating her heartworm condition, but if you're interested in offering Leda a loving home, please contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com.
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One of last year's recoveries, that we had to share with you. Buddy was found at Cas Abao Beach, where they weren't all too happy with him. A volunteer drove all the way out there to pick him up. He recovered in one of our foster homes and blossomed in the company of other dogs. Buddy was adopted in summer '15 and is living a happy life with his adoptive family and furry friend.
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Sam was definitely a public's favorite. Many people followed his updates and asked us how he was doing. Sam was found wandering the streets by himself. A family found and rescued him. He was moved to a foster family where was discovered that Sam was very ill. He wouldn't eat, had no interest in water, and had zero energy. Of course it wasn't just the love he received from his foster family that helped him get better, but it sure did help. Sam has been adopted by his foster family and together with his furry friend (also a CARFIE) he is enjoying life to the fullest.
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Who doesn't remember little Awa? Despite the severe issues with his liver and his clumsiness, Awa was an absolute volunteer favorite. Awa no longer wears his cast and is all settled in his 'furever home' now, living happily ever after with the family that found and rescued him.

​The overpopulation of homeless dogs on Curaçao is overwhelming, but it's inspiring recoveries like these, that make animal rescue so worthwhile and motivating.

​You can help! Being in a home instead of a boarding facility makes a tremendous difference for a lonely and frightened dog.  For more information about becoming a foster parent or to schedule a meeting to discuss possibilities, please contact stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

With your help, we can place even more adult dogs and puppies into new homes where they will be loved, cherished, appreciated, and admired. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share our updates. A lot of our dogs find new and loving homes through internet and social media sharing. It really does make a difference!

"I Can't Adopt Or Foster, But I Would Like To Donate"
Your monetary donations are necessary to help cover the veterinary care and treatment of our rescued dogs. All donations, no matter how small, are gratefully received and every penny goes towards the welfare of our animals: Maduro & Curiel's Bank: 21199501 • Banco di Caribe: 301647 500 001 100 01 • PayPal.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF Celebrates 8th Anniversary by Giving Away Presents

Our 8th anniversary was a blast! Together with our sponsors, supporters, volunteers and fellow animal lovers, we celebrated our successful rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the last eight years. Our event partners made it possible for us to give away some cool prizes to attendees. Check out if you are one of the lucky ones who won something!
At 8:00AM sharp, the first guests started to arrive at La Palmeraie. At the entrance, people could put their tickets in the raffle bowl for a chance to win prizes. Around 11:00AM, two of our youngest visitors were asked to help us pick tickets from the bowl to decide the winners. These are the winners:

Pet Photo Shoot with Nestor G. Zavarce Photography (worth NAFL 250,-)
Lucky winner: Shirley Sprock
The photo shoot will last for an hour where Nestor will capture your pet’s personality, ensuring their true character shines through so you have a memento to cherish forever! The photo shoot can be at any location (1) on Curaçao; at your home, on the beach, etc. and can include just your pet, or you and your pet together. The day, time and location of the photo shoot can be mutually agreed upon. You will receive 10 edited images of your pet in high resolution.

Scuba Lodge Gift Certificate (worth NAFL 100,-)
​Lucky winner: Chantal
We hope you love eating, diving, and/or sleeping! Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites have made available a gift certificate with a value of Nafl. 100,- which you can use either at the restaurant, the dive shop or the hotel. Scuba Lodge is a friendly boutique hotel which is conveniently located in Pietermaai. The relaxed divers' mentality is directly evident.

Chopstix Sushi Gift Certificate (worth NAFL 100,-)
Lucky winner: Sue van Elteren
Whether you're bringing friends or your family, be sure to also bring your appetite, because Chopstix Sushi will offer you a delicious lunch or dinner. You can choose from a wide range of sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes in a authentic atmosphere. You can make a reservation at 7384846.

THEA Gifts & More Gift Certificate (worth NAFL 100,-)
Lucky winner: P. Schipper
If you checked out our flea market during the event, you might have spotted different shapes and sizes of Yankee Candles, home decorations, books, and other goodies. ​Several of these items were made available by our friends at THEA Gifts & More. With this gift certificate you can go and shop for your favorite items at their location at Cas Coraweg 39A.

PiDiS Pet Department Store Gift Certificate (worth 75,-)
Lucky winner: Natalie Heymans
Our pets are members of the family and whether your pet is a dog or another animal, it's always fun to surprise family members with gifts. At PiDiS Pet Department Store they sell everything for your pet, but no pets - we like it! You get to surprise your pet with treats, toys, or other items from PiDiS. Go check out the store at Dr Maalweg 21A and let us know what you brought home!

Assortment of Cupcakes by Glitz Cupcakes
Lucky Winner: Rob IJska
The number of doggy treats in the jar at the entrance was 377. With "365" as his answer, Rob IJska had the closest guess. Congratulations Rob! You have won a box with real treats; 6 delicious cupcakes by our friends of GLITZ cupcakes. Please check your inbox or contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com to pick up your prize.

In case you won one of the above prizes, but you were no longer there in person to accept your prize on the spot, please send us a message at stichtingcarf@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Although we are hoping we won't have to make it to the next eight years, we want to sincerely thank everyone who has in some way been a part of our journey so far, and hope that we can continue to count on your support in the years to come.

Special thanks goes out to La Palmeraie Resort, Miko Curaçao and THEA Gifts & More.

Do you have any pictures of our anniversary pawty? We would love to see them! Please share them by using hashtag #CARFanniversary or by sending them per email at stichtingcarf@gmail.com.

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Picture by: Nestor G. Zavarce Photography
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Scuba Lodge.
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THEA's Gifts & More
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Picture by: Nestor G. Zavarce Photography
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Scuba Lodge
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THEA's Gifts & More
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Yum! Glitz Cupcakes

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIE Of The Week: Venus ♀

​Venus and her sisters Plutonia en Urania were very young when we picked them up from the streets. They were in an unsafe situation so we moved them, together with their mommy, to a safe and loving foster home.
 Today they are strong little puppies that are looking for their lifetime home. They are 12 weeks old, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to move. Urania found her forever home, together with fellow CARFIE Roslyn, last week. Venus and Plutonia are hoping to get at least half as lucky with their 'furever family.'

For more information about Venus, Plutonia or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers

CARF | CARFIE Of The Week: Smikkel ♂

Oh, his eyes, his eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining... Look at those beautiful eyes! This somewhat older gentleman had some health issues, but with the help of our loving fosters, Smikkel is a healthy stud now, patiently waiting for his 'furever family' to come and take him home.
Smikkel is a sweet, affectionate and calm dog who loves to stretch his short legs during a walk. Will you give him his well-deserved forever home?

For more information about Smikkel or one of our other CARFIES, please feel free to contact us at stichtingcarf@gmail.com. We will reply to you at our earliest convenience.

by Cassandra Bowers