| Moldova’s most underprivileged dogs are getting their own exhibition thanks to award-winning artist Sophie Gamand.
The Stray Dog Art Exhibition which offers a fresh perspective on Moldova’s stray dogs opens on Tuesday in Chisinau. The free and unique perspective aims to counteract popular misconceptions about the large population of free-roaming dogs in the country. Organizers said the strays are “in essence, homeless pets,” and this exhibition aims to reveal their true spirit and individuality. The art exhibition will run between 15 October and 15 November at The National Museum of History of Moldova. “The exhibition aims to highlight the amazing faces of stray dogs in Moldova, their beauty and resilience and special bond with us,” a press release said. “With her unique and strong images, award-winning artist and photographer Sophie Gamand (based in Los Angeles) is telling the often-unheard stories of stray dogs. ” FOUR PAWS International is the global animal welfare organization for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. It has been implementing stray animal care projects in Eastern Europe for the past 25 years and have recently started a project aimed to reduce the numbers of stray dogs in a humane and sustainable way in Moldova. There will be a public Opening on 19 October 2024 from 13.00 – 15.00 for other NGOs, shelter workers, veterinarians, photographers and anyone else interested in dogs. FOUR PAWS experts will be on-site in Chișinău next week and at the exhibition for further information on their work for stray animals in Europe and beyond. Sophie Gamand is an award-winning French photographer, artist, and advocate living in the United States. Her work explores the areas of friction in the dog-human bond. She is particularly interested in working with shelter dogs, rescues and street dogs. “Coming into this trip, I had a sense of renewed hope,” she shared. In April 2024, she returned to Moldova and spent several days capturing the daily lives of stray dogs on the streets, followed by ‘studio days’ where she photographed dogs who came from those exact same streets, but now found warm, loving homes with wonderful owners. She also captured the hopeful faces of shelter dogs, still waiting for their chance at a safe and caring home. Because every dog, no matter its size, color, or background, deserves love, respect, and empathy. FOUR PAWS, has been active in Moldova since December 2020, providing 60,000 meals for dogs in a first emergency relief action. Since then, FOUR PAWS, together with its partners has been delivering a high-quality sterilization project and veterinary care for over 20,000 stray dogs that live in the Greater Chișinău area alone. 
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