Dejan Gacic is an angel in disguise. He became aware of all the homeless dogs in Serbia and resolved to assist them in any way he could. His mother started the Vucjak Shelter ten years ago to provide a haven for all of the “unwanted” canines in the neighborhood. Gacic took over the shelter after she died to continue saving as many dogs as possible. He soon realized, however, that he couldn’t say no to any canines in need. As a result, his shelter grew significantly larger than he had imagined. Even though he doesn’t have as many resources as he’d want, he keeps doing everything he can to save lives.
Gacic carries a dog home with him almost every day. He sometimes finds dogs wandering the streets on their own, and other times people abandon them on his land. He can’t say no to them, no matter how he finds them. He understands that if he doesn’t take them in, they would most likely be put down.
The dogs have a huge outdoor area to run about in as well as a wooden shelter to keep them safe from the elements. However, with over 600 canines in Gacic’s care, there isn’t enough space to accommodate them all, especially during the chilly winter months. The winter months in Serbia can last anywhere from November to May.
Gacic does everything he can to keep the dogs warm on the coldest winter evenings. He has a stove inside the shelter to build a fire. When it’s below 0 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, though, the fire can only do so much to keep the dogs warm. As a result, Gacic frequently sleeps with the dogs at the shelter. During the harsh winter evenings, he discovered that body heat is the greatest way to keep them all warm.
Gacic goes above and above to help these pets on his own. His sanctuary may not be ideal for them, but it is far preferable to animals being abandoned on the streets or being euthanized. He also continues to generate funds to improve his fantastic company even more.
The current dog shelter does not even have a door. The dogs must sleep on the damp floor if it is raining or snowing. Fortunately, Gacic has ideas for a proper structure for the dogs, albeit it will not be inexpensive. His ultimate goal, though, is to discover a way to provide the dogs with the robust, secure shelter they need.
Please visit the shelter’s Instagram page if you want to assist Gacic to provide these puppies a better life. He provides several links for methods to donate to his shelter in the page’s bio. Every donation can make a significant difference in the lives of the hundreds of pets he cares for. Gacic will always be there to protect and warm them, but he still needs all the help he can get.