A photo of 15-year-old Luke Rowles went viral years ago—and for good reason. In it, Luke is seen covered in blood, cradling a terrified fox whose muzzle had been cruelly taped shut by a group of men. That one moment captured the heart and bravery of a teenager who refused to look the other way.

Luke and his family had moved from the UK to Bulgaria in 2007. Shocked by the abuse faced by street dogs there, his parents, Tony and Diane, started Rudozem Street Dog Rescue (RSDR)—a grassroots effort to save animals others had forgotten.

The fox rescue became a defining moment. Luke, then just a teen, saw a group of men beating a wild fox and didn’t hesitate. He stepped in, confronted them, and took the injured animal home, where his mother helped nurse it back to health. Once it was strong enough, Luke released it safely into the wild.

Since then, the Rowles family has rescued hundreds of animals—dogs, cats, and more—giving them medical care, love, and second chances. Many have been adopted in the UK, the Netherlands, and beyond.

But their work hasn’t been easy. The family has faced resistance from local authorities and had their dream of a registered shelter denied in 2020. Still, they carry on, providing a safe haven to animals who may never find a forever home.

Today, their shelter is more than a building—it’s a sanctuary filled with love.

Recently, the family has been hit with personal challenges. In April, co-founder Tony Rowles underwent major heart surgery. While he’s recovering, the future remains uncertain, and the family could use support more than ever.

Follow RSDR on Facebook and Instagram to support their mission and see heartwarming updates from the animals they’ve saved.

Luke’s brave act all those years ago was just the beginning. The Rowles family continues to prove that compassion can change the world—one rescue at a time.