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 WillThe Dogs Lottery
Ten pounds a month, and a real chance at twenty-two prizes in every draw. However the numbers fall, your ticket helps pay for the food, the vet bills and the warm kennels that keep every dog at the sanctuary safe.
- £10 a month
- 22 prizes every draw
- £25,000 top prize, tax free
Takes two minutes. You can cancel any time.
As a thank you for playing our Lottery, all players are awarded a Gourmet Society membership. You can save up to 25% off food and drink at thousands of restaurants nationwide, just by showing your Gourmet Society membership details, and you can also access big discounts on takeaway pizza, cinema trips and theme parks.
18+ and Great Britain residents only. Please play responsibly: BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The promoter of The Dogs Lottery is Penny's Ark, 3 Rookery Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 7JQ, registered charity 1205298, registered with Sefton Council as a small society lottery under number M050773. The lottery is run by our external lottery manager Bee Ethical Limited (company 09314392), licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 44067.
One 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.
KNUT
Knut is a calm friendly boy who has the advantage of being in Foster in Romania so has been able to be walked on a lead which he does very well and also loves car rides as his foster takes him and his friend Cora on many trips in the car. He lives with lots of cats so he is used to them. He has put weight on since he was neutered so could do with loosing some weight :) He loves children and his afternoon nap! He can be selective with regards to other dogs, he often chooses to ignore them but if they invade his privacy he will give them a warning growl. Knut is fully vaccinated and neutered ready for Adoption
Meet Knut
NELU
Nelu is described as a lovely calm boy who is good with other dogs and people. He is 46-48 cm tall up to 20kg. Nelu was taken from an old vet in Romania who had retired due to heart problems so couldn't properly care for him. He is neutered, vaccinated and ready for Foster or Adoption
Meet Nelu
TESSA
Tessa is a lovely friendly 1 year old girl who loves the company of other dogs and people. She is fully vaccinated, spayed and ready for Foster or Adoption
Meet Tessa
ZORRA (2)
Zorra (2) is a friendly, happy, affectionate 50cm medium size girl. Good with people and other dogs. Has also met cats and children. Fully vaccinated, spayed, microchipped and ready for foster or adoption.
Meet Zorra (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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