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About the shelter

By area, we are the biggest large-yard, dog sanctuary in Western Bulgaria: 27,000 m2 (about 6.5 acres). 
 Every Dog Matters EU, a registered nonprofit NGO (Reg. 205679614), was founded by Australian Terry Kyle and is directed by Ivanka Patterson.

 Our sanctuary is also legally licensed. Apart from some temporary yards for puppies, socialization rehab and emergencies, our yards are roughly 250 m2, 400 m2 and 630 m2  and our largest yard is 1,500 m2.  We also never overcrowd our yards with dogs as this can lead to tensions, fights and injuries. Our largest yards have a maximum of 5 dogs and most yards have only 2 dogs, the ideal number in our experience. We know all our rescue dogs’ characters and individual needs very well. Here our dogs play with each other constantly every day whereas at most tiny-cage, prison-style shelters, the dogs are too depressed, too frustrated and too fearful to play at all.  Or they don’t even have the physical space for exercise or play.

 We hope that shelter operators EVERYWHERE across the world strongly consider switching to the large-yard model as the dogs are much happier, healthier, better socialized and more adoptable.  All that is needed is land – every country has unwanted land – and ambition.

 The Every Dog Matters EU sanctuary approach is very different from most medieval-style prison shelters for dogs. Even though our dogs have plenty of space to play and run, we take each one of them regularly on walks.  This helps them to not get bored, to socialize, get used to new people and to learn to walk well on a leash. 

 Our dogs’ physical and emotional  health is our number one priority.  We feed them only with high quality food and they get dewormed monthly.  Each one is regularly checked and re-vaccinated by our own vet.  When we take in a new dog, it gets immediately tested and quarantined until full immunity is built.  And if the dog needs surgery, we make sure to provide the best service available.  Preparing our dogs for their forever loving homes is equaly important for us.  We use only Positive Reinforcement training as we believe love and patience are the key to a happy and obedient dog. 

 We look for the best homes for each one of the dogs under our care. Therefore you can not come to our shelter, pick a dog and take it home the same day – our adoption process takes time so that we make sure that every potential adopter will be the best one for the selected dog. We are also socially engaged and opened to participating in projects with other NGOs to showcase the potential each dog has in our lives and society (e.g. we have regularly participated with the Alzheimer’s Society here by taking our dogs to visit residents of homes for the elderly with dementia).