Success Stories

Here are some of the lucky dogs who got to leave the shelter and begin their new lives abroad, with testimonials from their new owners.

Maisie

Maisie
Maisie (previously name Candy) arrived in her UK home in February 2018. "I was looking for a very special dog as my work involves counselling children. Maisie settled in very easily and she quickly began visiting schools around my city of Nottingham. She now helps many children with emotional and behavioural difficulties every week and everyone at the schools love to have her visit. She is calm, tolerant and loves all the attention she receives."
Maisie

Fred

Fred
As the snow fell Fred and his sister were left outside the shelter gate, they were around 6 weeks of age. They were moved into paid foster care so that they may have a chance of survival. Around the age of 8 months Fred transfered to a UK foster home where his humans couldn't bare to part with him and adopted. He is a funny boy, quite vocal with happiness. Loves his mummy to bits and great with the grand children.
Fred

Oscar

Oscar
Oscar along with his siblings were dumped at the shelter gate as puppies. At the age of 18 months he went to foster with one of the admins then after an unsucessful rehome he made his way back to his foster family where they adopted him. He's a very loving boy to his humans, offers paw all the time and loves a cuddle.
Oscar

Mila RIP

Mila RIP
Mila was found 'living' at a cemetery in Niš. She was very dirty and was scavenging for food and being picked on by bigger dogs. Her forever mum saw a photo of Mila on a local Facebook page and it was love at first sight, she just knew she had to adopt adopt her. Her family say “She has brought us lots of joy and has grown in confidence whilst retaining an independent streak. We love her to bits!”
Mila RIP

Toto

Toto
Toto was born with his 2 siblings close to the shelter in Nis. Around 18 months of age he went to his forever home. He seemed to settle in quickly although could be a bit timid at times. As the years have gone by he is a happy boy who loves his home and his walks. He now enjoys a fuss. He has learned lots of commands and loves to lay on his back and have his tummy rubbed as often as possible. All his extended family love him. He has made some new dogie friends who he likes to meet up with. He is a very much loved boy.
Toto

Ava

Ava
Ava had run away from a breeder and hid in a park for days where children fed her bread. She was reported to the dog catchers due to her size, but SFP decided to help her. Now she is happily rehomed in the UK as a companion to an old rescue GSD, by a lady who runs a cat sanctuary. She even has some rescue sheep for Ava to look after just as her breed does up on the mountains she originated from.
Ava

Penelope

Penelope
Dumped as a tiny pup outside Jelena's shelter, was very nervous and timid of everything. Now she's doing wonderfully in the UK and enjoying trips to the beach.
Penelope

Tia

Tia
Dumped as a tiny pup outside Jelena's shelter, was very nervous and timid of everything. Now she is doing wonderfully in the UK and enjoying trips to the beach.
Tia

Kimi

Kimi
Kimi was such a nervous little thing when we first got her, scared of everything. But over the last 9 months she's grown in confidence and now just loves life! She has made friends with my old rescue dog, the cat and even puts up with the chickens (although I do sometimes catch her stealing their food!). She is adored by all the family and we feel very lucky to have her in our lives.
Kimi

Curley now Charlie

Curley now Charlie
Charlie was collected off of the street along with his mother by one of our workers, as the dog catchers came looking for them. Very timid and nervous, he found shelter really stressful. Now he is happily rehomed with a lovely family who spoil him and take him on holidays!
Curley now Charlie

Mona now Daisy

Mona now Daisy
Daisy was found, thrown out on the streets at 2 months, with a badly broken leg. Rescued by Inda Marjanovic. We saw the post and asked to adopt her. A huge screw was inserted in her leg by an expert vet, paid for by SFP members. The screw was gradually extended every 2 weeks and finally then removed. Looked after and cared for by Inda and SFP whilst all healing and injections etc. carried out. Brought to us 7 months after the first post. She's adorable, and can walk and run for hours !
Mona now Daisy

Harvey

Harvey
Harvey was abandoned on the harsh streets of Serbia. He is now in his forever home and enjoying every minute of it!
Harvey

Mili

Mili
Mili was dumped on the streets as an older pup. Fortunately she was taken to Jelena's shelter and her luck turned...
Mili

Ellie

Ellie
Ellie was abandoned as a puppy. She is now in her forever home.
Ellie

Kata

Kata
Kata was rescued off the streets of Niš. I first knew about Kata through a friend of mine. She described Kata and I was very interested before I even saw a photo of her. My friend then sent through a photo of Kata and I just wanted to see if she would get along with our existing dog Pixie. Well as soon as Kelly brought Kata for a trial weekend both dogs got on so well she had to stay and we've never looked back! It was the best thing we ever did. We now have two fur kids and our family unit is now complete!
Kata

Pippa

Pippa
I chose pippa because I fell in love with her striking eyes. She had been abandoned at the shelter, along with her siblings. I chose SFP as we were already donating to them and then went one step further and adopted. It's the best thing I've ever done!
Pippa

Laki

Laki
Laki came to the UK on the very first SFP transport run and went into his foster home three miles away from Jovana. Shortly after he managed to escape and run away. He was caught a few minutes away from Jovana's home by a police officer - Laki had been running so hard his little feet were bleeding... Luckily for him 'The Boss' took him in and he's been with her ever since.
Laki

Keedee

Keedee
Keedee was dumped as a pup with 2 other dogs at the shelter.... both the other dogs were twice his size - he must have been terified. Fortunately, he fell lucky and is now re-homed in his forever home in the UK
Keedee

Cosmo

Cosmo
Fosterer Kelly says: This little man was very shy at Jelena's shelter and grows in confidence (and now stubbornness! ) Thank you to Vikki for sharing his post which lead to a new life, Maria for carrying out his Home Check and of course Claire and Liz for giving him a chance and ultimately falling in love with him. As I left his new home he sat on the step, I gave him a kiss and his eyes just said 'Thank you'....this is why we foster.
Cosmo

Anja now Cenka

Anja now Cenka
Cenka was a very frightened, nervous little girl. Along with her siblings they were the first entire litter to survive the winter at the shelter. She is now full of life and colour. Enjoying her daily group dog walks, sleeping on the bed and claiming the sofa as her own. Thank you Serbias Forgotten Paws for changing Cenka's and my life for the better.
Anja now Cenka

Taros now Barnie

Taros now Barnie
When Barnie first came to us he was a nightmare pulling on the lead and became aggressive when he was scared (he was particularly scared of men/other dogs). This made visiting family stressful because we didn't know who he would bark at next! Now after a few months with him he has settled into our lifestyle and completed his puppy training course. He is a joy to walk and even plays happily with other dogs. We have found that adopting a Serbian dog has been a very rewarding experience for us.
Taros now Barnie

Nera

Nera
Nera was found on the street in Niš, not yet fully grown but already pregnant, a kind lady brought her to Jelena to help her survive the Serbian winter. She is a distemper survivor which means she will always have some special needs and extra medical care needed but she is now a happy little girl who has learned to play and boss around all the other doggies in daycare. She keeps her big brother Stanley the Jack Russell in line and ensures she's always first on the sofa for cuddles!
Nera

Mini now Heidi

Mini now Heidi
Heidi was abandoned on the streets during the coldest winter in Niš, in 2011. It was -20 when Jelena found her with her baby. They had been thrown out by her previous owners and left to scavenge... Heidi was chipped but her owners said she had run away. Jelena said they moved out and left her. Jelena took them in, had them neutered and found Heidi's baby a home. Heidi came to us on the 21st of October 2012 and has her paws firmly under the table!
Mini now Heidi

Labud now Buddy

Labud now Buddy
Found on the streets as a puppy with his sister. An old lady was feeding them both but they were getting attacked by other dogs as they were not strong enough to fight for food. The lady took them both to Goran's shelter. Buddy was known as the angel dog as he was so affectionate and sweet natured, we thought no way that must be a thing to get us to adopt him, but it was so true, he IS such a loving dog, as are all we have met from SFP.
Labud now Buddy

Cica now Nikita

Cica now Nikita
Nikita's Mum says she is a 'failed foster parent!' And says that Nikita is a little minx and keeps her on her toes but she wouldn't have her any other way. She has changed so much, is so cuddly and will come up, sit at your feet and woof when she wants a tickle. She loves swimming, foxes poo and horse manure.
Cica now Nikita

Dora

Dora
Dora was dumped at the shelter as a tiny puppy and came to her forever home at ten months old. She has a huge scar on her back probably from a burn. She now enjoys life with fellow Serb rescue Winnie.
Dora

Helena & Kassandra

Helena & Kassandra
Helena and Kassandra are a mother and daughter who were found as strays on the streets of Nis. They were both caught by dog catchers several times but were so sweet locals kept rescuing them. Sadly, Helena lost an eye during her time on the streets. Helena was adopted first, but she was so sweet that once her foster mother family found out that Helena's mother was still in the shelter, they had to adopt her too! Kassandra and Helena were reunited after 8 months apart and immediately started sleeping in the same bed!
Helena & Kassandra

Winner now Winnie

Winner now Winnie
Rescued from the Irig Death Container (see our News page for more information). Now happily settled in her forever home.
Winner now Winnie

Paul now Buddy

Paul now Buddy
Buddy was beaten with a garden hoe by a drunk and blinded. He was very underweight and due to having a cracked skull - it was touch and go. He did survive, but sadly lost sight in both eyes. Despite being blind he's a very happy boy who loves his mum and canine sisters. He's very much spoilt now and despite having his very own room, prefers to sleep in his mum's bed!
Paul now Buddy

Lulu Two Legs RIP

Lulu Two Legs RIP
Lulu was found in a bush by the side of a train track while some SFP volunteers were out looking for another dog that had run off (and was later found safe and sound). Both her hind legs had apparently been cut off by a train. Despite this she was full of life, so SFP paid her vet costs and put her into foster. She learned to walk on her front legs and has a wheelchair (though she hates it!). She now lives with a family of Serbs in The Cotswolds and is louder and livlier than all of them put together!
Lulu Two Legs RIP

Paddy / Teddy RIP

Paddy / Teddy RIP
Teddy was rescued from a kill shelter in Serbia where he was in a cage he couldnt even stand up in. He was emaciated, had eye infections and ear infections . He made a full recovery and found his forever family in the UK nearly a year after being rescued. He now has an older sister who he loves to snuggle up with on the sofa, as well as a younger Serbian sister who likes to chew his tail!
Paddy / Teddy RIP

Champ

Champ
Chap (previously Bosco) was a street dog. He's 2 next month and is a great big teenage puppy! He's our 6th rescue and quite honestly the funniest dog we've ever had. He loves dashing about on the Marshes with his fellow Serbian, Ace (11) and then cuddles up with our old boy Del (16). Chap is quickly learning to un-do his bad habits and has a great party trick where he lies motionless upside down for ages waiting for his tummy to be tickled. He's rather Zen unless he's chasing or chewing and then he's bonkers!
Champ

Ace

Ace
Ace (previously Nera) was 10 when we adopted her. She was chained outside a shack before living at Jelena's shelter. Despite a limp from an old leg break and no front bottom teeth, she is completely gorgeous! She was quite nervous and it took her 3 months to walk confidently across our kitchen. She has slowly relaxed into a confident, happy girl. She is gentle with the children and gets along great with our 2 other rescue dogs. She loves running on the marshes and dozing on her cosy bed.
Ace