This Man and His Mother Started a Shelter More Than Two Decades Ago, and Now He’s Caring for Thousands of Dogs
More than two decades ago, a mother and son in Serbia started feeding stray dogs in their village, and that small act slowly turned into something much bigger.
Svetlana and Dejan Vucjak built the Vucjak Shelter in 1997, and over the years they have rescued more than a thousand animals. After Svetlana died, Dejan kept going, even as the shelter grew into a place that sometimes houses hundreds, and even thousands, of dogs at once.
Now he is carrying on the work his mother began, with no sign of slowing down.
"We found one puppy in an elevator and took him home, and that is how everything started."
Dejan says his mother was a very compassionate lady. "She just wanted to help a dog that needed help," he said.
"My mother was a strong personality with a strong character. She left everything in her social life and went to the village to live with the dogs."
"My mother and I were best friends," Dejan said. "I'm still talking to her and sharing all the problems and challenges I face every day."
The shelter has been known to house hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs at a time.
"I don't know how many dogs we've rescued and how many dogs we've had over the last 20 years, but right now, we have about 1,000 dogs," Dejan said.
But caring for so many dogs in need is not easy.
"At the moment, we're struggling and trying to prepare the dogs for winter," Dejan said.
Sadly, Dejan says there are many homeless dogs in Serbia. "The situation with stray dogs in Serbia is not good."
"People abandon their dogs every day. I receive several calls daily from people who want to get rid of their dogs."
In 2014, the shelter secured some land in the Gledic Mountains, where they built a sanctuary for wolves.
Why did they decide to expand beyond simply focusing on domestic dogs? Well, the wolf is the national animal of Serbia, and unfortunately, it is facing extinction.
It’s the same kind of hope as the homeless mother and her dog’s shelter-facilitated reunion.
Dejan dreams of building more dog houses and providing additional shelter for winter. However, relying on donations for funding is challenging.
Running a shelter solo can be problematic.
But Dejan has dedicated his life to the shelter and is committed to the long haul.
"I want to say that I will fight for animals until I die," he says.
So many beautiful dogs are in need of love.
"It is my road to heaven, and it's the legacy of my mother," Dejan says.
Dejan is carrying on the legacy his mother started.
There is no doubt Svetlana would be extremely proud of what he has achieved.
The world needs more people like Dejan and Svetlana.
With so many dogs needing help.
It's clear that Dejan loves the dogs and shares a special bond with them.
Beautiful puppies abandoned.
Vucjak Shelter provides food and shelter to thousands of dogs.
Dejan also provides veterinary care where needed.
Relying solely on donations, the shelter is struggling to keep up with expenses.
But Dejan is dedicated to saving every animal.
He also hopes to raise awareness about the importance of treating animals with kindness and dignity.
We think what you're doing is amazing, Dejan!
Today, the shelter is home to over one thousand dogs, cats, and other wild animals. Many of these have been abandoned in front of the shelter.
Other animals have been surrendered by their owners, and some have been found injured or sick and living on the streets.
Life on the streets is a sad reality for so many animals, and Dejan is making a massive difference for as many as he possibly can.
I couldn't agree more, Dejan! Thank you for all that you do, and please don't ever change.
Before you go, watch how disabled stray Jack sheds tears of joy after first love.
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