In a quiet corner of Romania, forgotten dogs are finally safe.
It costs a minimum of £5,000 a month to keep the sanctuary running. Your kindness makes it possible.
Somewhere here is a dog who has been waiting for someone like you.
We re-home across the UK, and we take the time to get it right. Some of our dogs go straight to their forever home in the UK, whilst others, who may have suffered trauma or need time to get used to living in a home, go to a foster home first for grounding and rehabilitation.
Could you be the gentle pause between a difficult past and a happy ending?
Open your home to a rescue dog for a little while. You provide the company; we support you with guidance and cover veterinary expenses, if needed.
Keep them safe.
It costs more than £5,000 each month to care for every dog at the sanctuary: food, staff costs, vet visits, spaying, the constant repairs. Every penny you give reaches them directly, and Zeffy takes nothing at all.
The Four R's
Rescue
From the public kill shelters and the streets of Romania. Alongside our local partner, Burduja Trifan Ionela, we also run the spay and neuter campaigns that mean fewer dogs are born into hardship at all.
Why RomaniaRehabilitate
In April 2026 we took over the running of a sanctuary in Crivatu, Romania, where Catalin watches over the dogs day and night, and where they can recover from the trauma or hunger they may have endured. They live in the Sanctuary in safety until a family is found. For those who need it, this is home for the rest of their days.
Inside the sanctuaryRe-home
We find homes right across the UK, through a network of devoted foster carers anchored in Southport and Basingstoke. Some dogs are able to go straight to their forever homes, whilst others get used to life in a home with their foster family until they are ready to be loved.
How adoption worksRemember
Penny's Ark dogs are never forgotten. We will support them and their fosterers and adopters for as long as is needed.
Gifts in your WillOne precious life at a time.
We rescue dogs from the hardest corners of Romania, heal them, and help them find the loving homes they always deserved. Until there are none left waiting.
Read our origin storyLooking for a home right now.
Every one of these dogs is waiting for someone to choose them. Some are still in Romania, some finding their feet in a UK foster home, some travelling to the UK right now. Each one carries a story, and a heart full of love to give.
CORA
Cora loves people, dogs, cats, and children. She was chained up and left in the yard after her owner was arrested by police for theft and left like that without notifying anyone. She managed to escape the chain only after losing a significant amount of weight. When found on the street she had a big wound on her neck, which we suspect is from where she was trying to escape the chain and was literally skin and bones, barely able to walk.Saved by our trusted rescuer and a neighbour Cora is now safe. A friendly, gentle girl who loves to give kisses. She’s very intelligent and walks well on a lead although at times she can pull if you are not walking fast enough for her. Available for foster or adoption.
Meet Cora
AVI
Avi is a lovely very friendly 2 year old boy that looks like he has some Golden Retriever in him. Good with other dogs and loves people AVI is fully vaccinated, microchipped and neutered
Meet Avi
VERUSKA
Veruska is a small, 35cm, friendly little girl. Loves playing with people and other dogs around her. Estimated date of birth July 2025
Meet Veruska
MARTHA (2)
Martha is an absolutely delightful older dog around ten years of age. She has a very gentle nature and isn’t any trouble. She is a healthy girl and in very good condition who can be a little protective over her food. Loved laying on a rug or bed and wants a very quiet life where she can live out her remaining years. She’s been in a shelter for some years now but since moving to the Penny’s Ark sanctuary her true personality is coming out. A little shy around people to begin with. If you are looking for an adorable older companion then you could not choose a better soul than Martha. Around 12-15kg, she doesn’t take up much space and has been living with other dogs so would probably like other doggy companions but not of the younger, boisterous variety! Fully vaccinated, spayed and microchipped.
Meet Martha (2)Penny's Ark Sanctuary, Crivatu, Romania.
This is the home your kindness supports. Every month it costs more than £5,000: food, staff costs, vet visits, spaying, repairs, the daily care of every dog here. And every month, it is people like you who close the gap.
Six ways to help.
Give monthly
From £5 a month through Zeffy. A small, steady kindness.
Sponsor a dog
Choose a sanctuary dog and become their person, the one in their corner for as long as they need you. From £5 a month.
Foster a dog
Open your home for a few weeks. We cover vet bills, if needed.
Volunteer
Drivers, walkers, fundraisers. We need all of you.
Fundraise for us
Bake, walk, run, or do something silly. We cheer you on.
Leave a gift in your Will
Let your love for a dog live on, for the ones who need us most.
What we're writing about.
Stories from the sanctuary, the road, and the people who keep us going.
The Torture, the Misery, the Fight to Survive ….
Blog 16 Apr 2023 · Lindsey Church The Torture, the Misery, the Fight to Survive …. Firstly let me refer to U.K. Firstly let me refer to U.K.…
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Unspoken Suffering
Blog 30 Oct 2023 · Lindsey Church Unspoken Suffering The reality is harsh but collectively we can change the narrative…. The reality is harsh but collectively we can…
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Winter is Here
Blog 13 Nov 2023 · Lindsey Church Winter is Here Now that winter in upon Romania and we have dogs in kennels there, we really do need support…
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What are Donations Used for?
Blog 04 Nov 2023 · Wendy Ashleigh-Reynolds What are Donations Used for? Rescuing a street dog or cat and bringing it to the UK is a complex and…
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Travel Day
Blog 15 Apr 2024 · Lindsey Church Travel Day Every two weeks our dogs can travel to their new homes. Every two weeks our dogs can travel to…
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