Jayne Di Vincenzo
My commitment to rescuing Kosovo’s street dogs began with a simple visit to my sister.
Dawn Bonner and her husband Peter have lived in Mitrovica, Kosovo for years, where Dawn teaches English at the Kosovo Leadership Academy and Peter serves as sports director. During my first visit, I was struck by something I couldn’t unsee: the heartbreaking reality of countless street dogs struggling to survive—hungry, afraid, and often abused.
Every time I visited, I found myself rescuing a puppy. Puppies were easier to approach than the older dogs, who had learned through painful experience to flee from human hands. Each rescue felt meaningful, but also temporary. I kept thinking: There has to be a better way. There has to be a lasting solution.
That’s when Friends of Animals International was born.
We’re not just rescuing individual dogs—though every single life matters. We’re working to change the narrative around street dogs in Kosovo. In a culture where dogs are often feared, mistreated, or seen as nuisances rather than companions, we’re proving that these animals are loyal, loving, and capable of transforming lives.
Our mission is threefold:
- Rescue and rehome street dogs into safe, loving families
- Spay and neuter to address overpopulation at its source
- Educate the local community about the benefits of responsible pet ownership and the myths that fuel fear and cruelty
As a financial advisor, I’ve spent my career helping people build secure futures. Now, through FAI, I’m helping create futures for dogs who never had one. Every dog we save, every surgery we fund, every family we educate—it all adds up to lasting change.
I live in Chester, Virginia with my husband Mark and our three daughters. We share our home with two dogs and a cat, all of whom remind me daily why this work matters. When I’m not planning financial futures or rescuing four-legged friends, you’ll find me playing pickleball, hiking, or traveling internationally—often back to Kosovo, where there’s always another life waiting to be saved.
