OUR MISSION
A SECOND CHANCE
The Foundation of Animal Protection in Füzesabony (FAPF), was founded in 2007 by sisters Zsanett and Iza. It is a volunteer-led, independent animal rescue organization. Dedicated to the welfare of animals in the Füzesabony region of northeast Hungary, FAPF operates solely through the generosity of private donations, continuing the founders' lifelong mission of saving and caring for animals in need.
Our mission is to provide a safe haven and a second chance for dogs and cats in need.
We are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs of all breeds, ages, and backgrounds. We work in one of the most impoverished regions in Hungary, where unfortunately animal abuse and suffering is seen as the norm. Our mission is to change this. We rescue animals who live on the street, were dumped or are kept in abusive households. Through our efforts and education, we aspire to create a community where every dog and cat has the opportunity to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life in a loving forever home. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact on our region by not only rescuing, but also preventing future suffering by spaying and neutering animals in the area.
"Where is your shelter located?"
We don't have a physical shelter. We run our rescue a bit differently.
When Zsanett and Iza rescue an animal, they bring them back to their own homes. We call this our "safe-house". Here they can quarantine, assess any medical and behavioral needs as well as allow the animal to decompress after a life of constant stress and a fight for survival.
Meanwhile, our volunteers work hard to find loving foster homes for these animals. Once someone agrees to foster, the dog or cat is transported to their new home. Here, they begin to experience 'pet life'—getting accustomed to safety, having regular access to food/water, and adjusting to household sounds, such as seeing a TV for the first time. What we consider normal, is all new and unfamiliar to them. From this point, foster-parents help prepare them to move to their forever homes. For some animals, this process takes just a few weeks, while for others it may take years. Regardless of how long it takes, we support them throughout their whole journey.
Though it may seem unconventional, we believe this method is the most effective way to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals. We typically have between 40 to 100 animals in foster homes at any given time, which allows us to understand their personalities, detect subtle changes that might indicate health issues, and provide a thorough and honest profile to their future families. This method ensures highly accurate adoption matches and results in an exceptionally low return rate—an achievement we are incredibly proud of!
However, not all of our dogs are fortunate enough to find foster homes right away, often due to their appearance, size, or temperament. These animals are placed in paid boarding kennels to ensure we can continue bringing new rescues into our care. Our mission is to give every kennelled dog a chance by eventually moving them into a foster home, where they can join the cycle of rehabilitation and rehoming, with the ultimate goal of finding a loving, forever home.
WHEN YOU ADOPT ONE, YOU SAVE THREE.
1. ADOPTED
2. FOSTERED
3. RESCUED
Did you know that a single unspayed female dog can result in the birth of up to 50 puppies, many of whom may end up on the streets? It’s a devastating cycle, but we are determined to stop it.
That is why we have launched a spaying project as part of our solution. We take in female dogs from the streets or from families who cannot afford the procedure, spay them, and ensure they are microchipped and vaccinated, all at a cost of about 50,000 HUF per dog. Each dog we spay helps break the cycle, preventing countless puppies from facing a life of uncertainty and hardship.
The goal is to reduce the number of dogs ending up on the streets, and we are seeing real progress. By spaying these dogs, we’re giving them—and the entire community—a better chance at a future where every dog has a place to call home.
SPAY TO SAVE
PROJECT
Director
Zsanett Molnar
Since founding FAPF in 2007, Zsanett has dedicated her life to rescuing homeless, neglected, and abused animals across her region of Hungary. Beyond managing the daily operations, she personally handles around-the-clock rescue calls, tackling urgent cases and supporting animals in need with hands-on care and rehabilitation. Having witnessed some of the toughest situations, Zsanett remains tirelessly committed to making a difference every single day. She truly does it all!
Admin / Rehabilitator
Izabell Molnar
Izabell (Iza), Zsanett's sister, has been with FAPF from the start, dedicating her time to animals in need, especially those requiring extra care or patience. With a special gift for helping fearful animals come out of their shells, Iza plays a crucial role in the rescue, rehabilitation, and ongoing support of these vulnerable animals. Her efforts behind the scenes in both hands-on care and administrative work are vital to our mission—none of what we do would be possible without her dedication
Dog Team Coordinator
Reka Muller
Reka manages the fostering and adoption process for dogs once they leave Füzesabony. She provides ongoing support to foster families, assisting with any challenges they may encounter. Additionally, she helps adopters—both in person and virtually—successfully integrate their new pets into their homes. Reka has also rehabilitated and rehomed some of our more challenging dogs, with an exceptional ability to read, connect with, and train dogs of all types.
Cat Team Coordinator
Evi Rideg
Evi is our resident cat lady and has been an invaluable part of FAPF’s team since she began her volunteer journey. Initially, she supported us by transporting donations and animals, often driving through the night to rush animals to emergency care. While she still helps with transport when needed, her primary focus is now on managing all cat-related efforts, from coordinating the foster team to fostering cats in her own home. Thanks to Evi’s commitment, we have been able to rescue many more cats.
Meet our Volunteers
