BUILDING A SHELTER – Dogs' Ambulance

FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Published 19/01/2023

We are happy to inform you that our animal shelter has appeared on the latest version of Google Earth!

You can now explore everything we have built together in the previous 2.5 years from above and feel great pride; there is a vast contrast between where we were at the beginning and the stage where we currently are.

In these images you can clearly see the arrangement of functional structures inside the shelter:
our famous bridge (1);
the complex of enclosures ‘K’ and the ‘Kennel 5000’ (2);
the dog walking field (3);
Prockhor’s kennel, Bombora’s kennel, and a security cabin (4);
the ‘Large Kennel’ and the warehouse (5);
the complex of enclosures ‘D’ (6);
the ‘Warm Kennel’ that we have built recently (7);
the stair path down the hill, the ‘Kennel By The Hill’, and two enclosures on the slope (8);
the ‘Catio’ (9);
the farmhouse, the quarantine block, and outdoor enclosures around the house (10).

You can get a bird’s eye view of the animal shelter HERE.

On June 18, 2023, we celebrate the 5th anniversary of ‘Dogs Ambulance’ charity. The work we have done and the results we have achieved together are an inspiration to us. Now, Google Earth allows us to change the way we see the world around us – from space.

Thanks to everyone for their contribution.

LANDSCAPING THE TERRITORY

Published 16/04/2022

We have already written about the lack of shade in our facility in the hot weather season. At the end of the previous month we shared our plans on planting as many trees on our land as possible. The first thing we had on our wish list started coming true almost immediately after publishing; on March 31, we planted 10 persimmon trees, which were a gift to our shelter from Goga Chargazia.

And on April 2, a camellia bush started blooming. It is growing by the lower kennels near the entrance to the shelter.

The soil on our ranch is quite uncommon, it is so-called ‘terra rossa’ (Italian for ‘red soil’). During just one season the red clay slopes can easily collapse under the influence of pouring rain in conjunction with water derived from snowmelt. Therefore, we need trees with strong roots to prevent landslides, not just to create the shade. In addition, the territory of the shelter is relatively large; stinging blackberry thorns are always trying to grow back, which makes the area totally impassable for both dogs and people. That is why we need to plant as many different trees of different species as we can.

We will continue sharing our little wins and accomplishments, such as creating shade for dogs and for people; for future generations, figuratively speaking. And we will keep on building our life on that land.

**April 6 – April 8**
We have bought some young plants, such as rambling roses, wisterias, tecomas, and trumpet vines. This is the first tree lot for the shelter.
We have also purchased some coniferous trees. And we are thinking of ordering some fruit trees as well.

**April 11**
While one of our teams is turning our kitchen into an operating theatre to perform thirteen dog neuter surgeries, another one is dealing with cypresses and spruces. Transporting trees is not as easy as it seems.
We have also received a palm tree as a gift.
Another task on our to-do list for today is to plant fifty little cypresses, a spruce, a rose bush, three wisterias, and one more shrub we do not know the name of.
The new buds have just appeared on a paulownia that we planted last year. Luckily, it survived the winter cold.

**April 14 – April 15**
The new paulownia trees and soil have arrived in our shelter from Kaspi.
In this picture, we are strengthening the slope by planting ‘the unknown shrub’, climbing roses, hyssop and various flowers in front of the farmhouse and by the enclosures in the upper yard.

The episodes of extreme weather often occurred last year. First was the heatwave that reached 48 degrees in the shade. Then, the freeze and heavy snow, which are quite unusual for this region. Obviously, not everything we sowed last year finally survived, but on the whole, everything is all right! The bamboo plants by the river that we planted last year rooted well. And we are going to place a bench there. Almost every stock we planted survived the winter, too; for example, paulownia trees by the puppy kennels in the lower yard and cypresses on the hill next to the ranch house.

On the other hand, the territory of the shelter is too large. So, the only possible solution is to keep planting trees. Eventually, the future green and shady utopia is worth unplanned expenses.

The Soul Garden

We sometimes indulge in reminiscence about the alpine-like meadows of Zemo Tskluleti. There is something spectacular in the way the spring sunlight makes the shimmering grasses of the meadows shine.

A flower garden is a little part between the kennels in the yard by the farmhouse. It is isolated from our overcurious dogs. Flowers bring joy and positive energy. In addition, gardening is fulfilling. We sometimes deal with serious problems in the facility. So, we use the garden as a stress reliever.

This place is so beautiful this spring! And maybe we will plant potatoes later on, who knows!

Edited: April 30, 2022

Last year this plant was no more than a dry stem. We transplanted it into a safe garden. But in spring it sprouted and turned into a pink rhododendron.

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Published 02/04/2022

The winter in Samegelo is not the best time for a large-scale construction. Therefore, rough weather is our permanent condition, we have to find dry days or hours for developing the shelter facilities little by little.
Today we have summarized our main achievements in the first three months of the year.

1. The quarantine facility

With no doubt, this is the biggest story of this winter.

We had been dreaming of a full-fledged quarantine ward for over a year, since we started transferring the first dogs from the old ranch in Zemo Tskluleti. At that time the process of constructing our new shelter was really intensive; we were building a farmhouse and dog enclosures. While travelling between villages, local construction material storages, animal food shops, veterinary facilities and so forth, we began picking up animals in need. Initially, those animals had to be kept separately from the others. But all we had at that period was just three small kennels for adult dogs in the corner of our ranch and the living area plus the corridors in the farmhouse for weak dogs and puppies.

Finally, we can proudly announce our insulated quarantine ward with 4 isolated blocks. Apart from touching everything up and some other minor improvements, it is absolutely ready. It is equipped with electricity and it’s already functioning.

**February 1**
The framework of the future quarantine block

Glassed partition walls are cheaper than a solid tiled wall

2. The stairway to the planned disinfection corridor

The steps to our future disinfection corridor, which is connected to the quarantine ward, is definitely worth mentioning.

The maintenance of that corridor in front of the quarantine block is our main goal right after warmth incoming. When we build the walls, it will be the coolest place during the hot season.

**February 15**
The workers are discussing the new staircase

3. The walking bridge

We had been dreaming of a river crossing that would be safe both for humans and animals for quite a long time, too.

No matter if it is raining or it is the snowmelt from the mountains (either of those often occur in the area), the water level rises up immediately. Not every car is able to ford that stream. And crossing the river by jumping from one slippery stone to another is simply impossible.

**January 25**
Constructing the pillars of the future bridge

4. The two-storey ‘multi-residential’ kennel

At the end of the previous year we already told you about a spacious two-storey dog house that we had built. The framework has proved itself to be good. So due to the lack of space in the overcrowded upper yard we have built another similar enclosure.

At such a pace, ‘skyscrapers’ for dogs are no joke.

**End of December 2021**
The first kennel

5. The terrace around the house

An awning on the west side of the house that already was in the original plan has also proved to be remarkably effective. Due to the lack of supplies for fully fledged enclosures, we are adding an extra terrace to the northern side of the building.

Here we are planning to accommodate the dogs that are harmed by other dogs, and also the ones that have to stay closer to humans.

**February 20**
The framework of the future terrace

**March 11**
Rainy days do not let us work, but the wall studs and the floor are already built

6. Stabilizing the slope behind the house

The Georgian region of Samegrelo is famous for frequent rains. In addition, the winter was snowy and severe.

The red clay slope behind the ranch house began to collapse under the influence of water derived from snowmelt. We use stone gabions to stabilize the slope and also to prevent landslides and plant growth.

**February 18**
Filling the second layer

7. The kennel for the tiniest

We have hosted a lot of puppies of the youngest age for the last few months. Initially, we are keeping small and weak ‘newcomers’ in the farm house separately from the others. But when they become strong enough, we try to pound them in kennels because it is impossible to keep everyone inside the house.
To let the puppies safely spend time outdoors we set a special enclosure in the upper yard opposite the ranch house.

8. The new enclosures

Back to our new kennels that are never enough. That is how 2 cubic metres of wood and EPS turn into our famous insulated dog enclosures.

**March 18**
Almost ready for mass production

Plans

Are those plans for the spring, for the summer or for the following year? In our case it is hard to say because we always make massive and, at a first glance, impossible plans.

We bought a plot of land for our new animal shelter twenty months ago. In just a year the number of our dogs more than doubled. So, we have to gradually develop our territory for animals that we have already impounded.

to re-grade 800 metres of roads (the gravel slid downhill due to heavy rains and partly went under the road surface)
to expand the cattery
to build one more enclosure, at least for 80 animals (for dogs we are keeping in the farm house and in the upper yard)
to finish the disinfection corridor in front of the quarantine facility
to plant more trees (and to create shade in the future)
to make awnings
to repaint old facilities (that we have got a lot)

to make a pool for dogs and to install a sewage system (it would become a huge problem by midsummer)

not to mention the house for volunteers (so far it is something way off)

Thanks to everyone who is helping us!