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Nala's Last Breath Was a Whisper for Help. Will You help others? Dear friends, In the Serbian city of Smederevo, where stray dogs and cats wander aimlessly through alleyways and rural roads, discarded and invisible, one mother dog named Nala briefly knew what it meant to be loved. She had been found in a junkyard, sick, trembling, and still trying to care for her puppies despite her failing body. Thanks to the women of Paws of Smederevo, she was brought to safety. Her puppy Vila, named after the mythical fairy, and Vila’s tiny brother found healing and warmth in human arms. For a while, it seemed Nala would recover too. But the cruel grip of canine distemper, likely dormant from her time on the streets, struck suddenly, attacking her nervous system. She passed away wrapped in love, not trash. Vila and her brother are all that remains of Nala’s world. And in her memory, we are committed to fighting for the others—those who are still out there, still waiting to be seen. Kindly contribute by making a donation today! Credit: Šape Smedereva The Women Who Wouldn’t Look Away Paws of Smederevo began the way many great movements do: with one woman who refused to ignore suffering. In 2014, Ana Milosevic came across a dog being beaten in public. While others walked by, Ana intervened. She stepped forward and made a choice. That moment became the seed of something much larger. Soon joined by Maja Feser and a small group of equally courageous women, Ana registered the organization officially in 2024. Kindly contribute by making a donation today! Their mission is simple, but deeply powerful. Rescue abused and abandoned animals. Advocate for sterilization to break the cycle of suffering. Educate the public to create lasting change. But in practice, it is back-breaking, heart-wrenching, around-the-clock work made harder by constant scarcity and the lack of government support. These women are the definition of grassroots. They do not have a shelter of their own. They rent space in private kennels, care for animals in their own homes, and raise funds through sheer will. There are no salaries. No staff. Just determination, heartbreak, and a deep refusal to give up. Credit: Šape Smedereva Why AFA Stands With Them At Animals First Aid, we seek out the helpers. The quiet heroes in overlooked corners of the world who show us what compassion really looks like. In Serbia, where animal welfare systems are threadbare and compassion is often met with mockery or indifference, grassroots efforts like Paws of Smederevo are all that stand between life and death for animals like Nala. We are proud to stand beside these brave women as a new official partner. But we cannot do it without you. Right now, Paws of Smederevo cares for 26 adult dogs and 9 puppies. They also help around 40 cats, although the numbers change every week depending on the crisis of the day. They have no fixed income. Everything depends on donations, membership fees, and moments of kindness from strangers. Their monthly costs are staggering for such a small team. They need 1550 euros for kennel rent. Between 700 and 1000 euros for vet care. Another 550 euros for food. And this does not even include the emergencies: puppies hit by cars, poisoned cats, dogs left chained without water or hope. Every time they get a call, these women answer. And they do it with the most basic of resources. Kindly contribute by making a donation today! Credit: Šape Smedereva Let Nala’s Legacy Be One of Hope We may have lost Nala. But we have not lost hope. Vila still lives. So does her brother. And thanks to the courage of women like Ana and Maja, more lives are being saved every single day. Your donation makes that possible. ● €25 ($27 / £21) feeds a dog for two weeks ● €50 ($54 / £42) treats a dog for parasites ● €100 ($108 / £84) covers urgent care for a rescue like Vila ● €250 ($270 / £210) helps fund shelter space for a full week Kindly contribute by making a donation today! Join us. Stand with Paws of Smederevo. Honor Nala. Save lives. This is your chance to be part of something real. To stand with women doing the work most will never see. To honor the memory of a junkyard mother who died knowing love and make sure no other animal has to face this world alone. By donating this cause you will be helping  “Šape Smedereva” in Serbia. Phone (US): +1 773 300 2544 Animals First Aid (AFA) is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to saving and improving the lives of animals in urgent need. Through compassionate partnerships and global collaboration, we provide immediate care, shelter, and long-term solutions for abused, abandoned, and neglected animals. Every donation directly supports life-changing interventions, ensuring animals receive the love, safety, and healing they deserve. Animals First Aid is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States (EIN: 99-1042428), and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Together, we can continue making a difference, one precious life at a time.

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