Django’s Legacy
It all began in 2014, when Leeny first traveled to Morocco.
She was deeply struck by the country, its people, and its landscapes. Over the years, she returned repeatedly. During these stays, she became increasingly aware of the large number of stray dogs living on the streets – animals surviving without protection, medical care, or any form of organized support.
In 2018, Leeny began to help directly. She provided food, basic medical care, and attention to dogs that were otherwise ignored. One of them was Django, an elderly stray dog in Chefchaouen. He was weak, injured, and clearly unwell, yet calm and trusting toward people. Despite his condition, he showed no aggression or fear. The bond that developed with him became a turning point.
On every return to Morocco, Leeny continued to care for Django and his pack. As his health deteriorated, she attempted to organize his transfer to a shelter several hours away. This proved extremely difficult. At that time, animal rescue infrastructure in Morocco was very limited and it still is. There are only a small number of associations nationwide, very few shelters, and in the Rif Mountains – particularly in the Chefchaouen region – there was no local rescue structure at all. No emergency response, no shelter capacity, and no organization able to intervene on site.
Django
Building What Didn’t Exist
This absence of infrastructure made it clear that dogs like Django had virtually no chance of receiving help in time. In spring 2019, shortly before Django’s planned transfer, a mass poisoning occurred in Chefchaouen. Django and his entire pack were killed.
His death marked a decisive moment. It highlighted not only the vulnerability of the dogs in the region, but also the consequences of having no local rescue presence.
In August 2019, Leeny founded a refuge for injured and abandoned stray dogs, and Beldi Dog Rescue was born, located in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. The organization was created to establish what did not exist before: a local rescue structure in an underserved region. Its purpose is to provide immediate help, long-term care, and protection for abandoned, injured, and neglected dogs — and to ensure that no animal is left without support simply because there is no one to respond.
The Mission Continues
What began as a small shelter has since developed into a reputable and fully functioning dog rescue and rehabilitation center. Today, Beldi Dog Rescue operates as both a Moroccan and a German registered association, working hand in hand across borders and in close cooperation with other animal welfare organizations to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect dogs in need.
The work began with Django.
It continues for the many dogs who still depend on the existence of that rescue.
