Every year hundreds of innocent dogs and puppies are trapped by dog catchers, ending up in the kill shelters at Lancram and Auid in the Alba region of Romania. River, in the cover photo, was lucky, he is now safe in foster. The reality is that after 18 days in all weathers (and winter can be bitter in Romania) with limited food and often no bedding, a dog's time is up, and death without a rescue place is inevitable. But, thanks to a selfless local volunteer, Florina, who is allowed into the shelters once a week, details are shared on Facebook and many dogs are saved. Reserved dogs, paid for through fundraising by UK and German rescuers, are taken to safe and trusted Romanian foster homes, and from there many are found loving forever homes.

All this is before the worry and unpredictability of vet bills for dogs with a range of problems, some untreated for years. I am asking, on behalf of the dogs, for your help with a problem that all the rescue group fear as winter approaches - a distemper outbreak in shelter. Spread through direct contact or airborne exposure - a cough, a sneeze, a bark - and leaving nearby animals and surfaces contaminated in crowded conditions, this cruel and often catastrophic disease which attacks the body by several routes can quickly infects dogs already weakened and stressed.

Flora was one such dog in Lancram shelter during the outbreak last winter. Her rescuer writes:

Noelle was another dog from the same outbreak who also didn't make it. Truely heart-breaking.

Of course, rescuers will do everything they can to help sick dogs and bills of £800 or more a dog for hospitalisation and supportive care are often the reality. There is no cure for distemper with vets working to treat diarrhoea, vomiting and neurological symptoms, preventing dehydration, and try to ward off secondary infections. Paying bills like that diverts precious resources from reserving other dogs - and giving them hope.

Vaccinations are paid for as part of the shelter release fee. What the rescuer group aim to do with this fundraiser is for me to send Florina money for vaccinations up front for all dogs and to give the best chance of preventing an outbreak in the shelters. Lists of vaccinated dogs and vet invoices will be kept on file. This will greatly help the dogs while enabling rescuers to carry on raising funds for medical care, full release fees (pay-it-forward), foster fees, rabies vaccinations, transport and so on without the stress of big bills for poor outcomes from distemper.

To test and vaccinate a dog is £20 but every £€$ makes a difference - and that £20 could save a life. Thank you!

For more information about Lancram, please visit the Facebook group.