Feature about Smeura - the largest animal shelter in the world

I have been committed to animal rights since I was a child - a conviction that is also reflected in my work. This connection inspired me to write the feature "Unwanted and in the sights of Romania's animal catchers - homeless souls", which highlights the tireless work of Tierhilfe Hoffnung e.V., which is behind the largest animal shelter in the world, Smeura.

The feature is a mixture of report and documentation and takes readers directly into the harsh reality of Romanian street animals who fight for their lives every day. They are at the mercy of brutal animal catchers and are often trapped in horrific killing stations - until committed animal rights activists, such as the Tierhilfe Hoffnung team, intervene in time and give them a second chance at a better life.

For the feature, I interviewed the shelter's director, Matthias Schmidt. His moving stories about the rescue operations and the tireless efforts of his team give the text a haunting, emotional depth. It is not just a report about the suffering of these animals, but a story full of hope and unwavering commitment. These personal stories make the text particularly lively and show how much courage and dedication lies in the work of these animal rights activists.