France's Suzi Handicap shelter a refuge for injured animals

Stephanie Lisicki lovingly strokes the deformed dog Buzuka, who clearly enjoys the affection. "She was hit on the jaw with an ax in Romania," explained Lisicki. Like Buzuka, the vast majority of the 320 or so disabled animals at Lisicki's animal shelter Suzi Handicap in Montreuil-au-Houlme, northern France, were mistreated or even tortured.

The shelter, founded by the 36-year-old former veterinary assistant 11 years ago with her family on 9 hectares (22 acres) west of Paris, is unique. "What makes our center special is that we take in all animals — except wild animals — and have a medical center," said Lisicki. Surgery is also provided for the animals.

The shelter is home to dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and even birds with various disabilities such as paralysis, blindness or neurological disorders. For the most severe cases, where adoption is not possible, the shelter offers a dignified retirement. Some suffer from deformities, but for the vast majority, the disability is a result of human cruelty.

This little dog comes from Romania. "She was thrown into an acid bath that etched away three of her feet and her ears," said Lisicki, pointing to Mira, who sits at the edge of her enclosure. "It was filmed, it's on the internet. On these videos you see people laughing, torturing for fun. It's unimaginable."

Theresa, a small dog whose eyes have been poked out, comes from La Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean. Some animals were rescued from the war in Ukraine after being hit by shrapnel. But there are also cases of disabled dogs that were simply thrown out of a car on the side of the road.

Sick and disabled dogs also need exercise. Lisicki and her team provide exercise with dog wheelchairs and other carrying aids. In 11 years, Lisicki has only had one week's vacation. The team consists of a dozen employees and several volunteers.

"You need a strong heart," admitted Lisicki as she changed a little dog's diaper. "But for us, the greatest gift is knowing that once they have passed through our gate, they are safe for the rest of their lives. We want them to experience the best before they leave."

The aim of the shelter is to raise awareness about disabled animals. "In France, we still have a lot to do compared to other countries, such as Canada, where animal disabilities are better accepted," said Lisicki. "I think we still have a lot to learn as a society when it comes to disabilities — be it of humans or animals." The animal shelter is supported by donations and sponsorship.