We often refer to the Romanian ‘pounds’ as kill shelters. Dogs are often kept ‘alive’ for two weeks, but municipals can vary. The methods of ‘euthanasia’ can vary. 

Romania, a land steeped in history and culture, harbors a poignant secret beneath its picturesque landscapes. Hidden away in plain sight, Romanian public shelters are the silent witnesses to the agony and silent cries of countless abandoned and homeless dogs. In this blog, we journey into the heartbreaking world where emotions run deep for rescuers and the fight for a brighter future wavers.

Behind Shelter Walls: Tales of Abandonment and Despair

Upon crossing the threshold of a Romanian public shelter, you’re confronted with a stark and disheartening reality. Dogs, survivors of the unforgiving streets are captured in a cruel way by pole, lifted off their feet and thrown onto concrete floors amongst a large number of terrified dogs. If a dog is drugged during capture they can regain consciousness in the shelter and some of them don’t make it any further. The weak can be confusing to the other mostly scared and traumatised dogs. The most scared are often huddled together on cold concrete floors. Their eyes, windows to their souls, tell stories of abandonment, hunger, cruelty and a yearning for love that’s often left unanswered.

 Overwhelmed Hearts and Crowded Spaces

Romanian public shelters grapple with a profound lack of resources, but does the sentient life mean anything there at all?

It’s important to recognise that the situation in Romania is complex and evolving. Animal welfare groups both within and outside of the Country continue to push for improvements in the treatment of stray and abandoned dogs and although some progress is being made in some areas, there is little to none in others.

The experience of dog catchers, the treatment of stray dogs, and public policies differ from one municipality to another, making it a multifaceted issue with no one size fits all solution. The dog catchers are expected to ‘clean’ the streets; are often uneducated and seldom if ever animal lovers. They get paid little and care even less.

There are animal organisations or charities like us who will make it their mission to save as many of these tormented dogs as possible, but as one leaves ten arrive and with cruelty or neglect comes deep trauma. It is then for charities like us to pick up the pieces and restore the dogs mental and physical health but with the horrors endured it takes time and resources and is just not always possible.

What is Needed? - Funds Funds Funds – We can help if we are funded. We can’t do this without money to vaccinate, treat injuries or illness, feed and house dogs in their own Countries and build our U.K. sanctuary to rehabilitate the many.

The reality of dog catchers has been a subject of controversy and concern, particularly regarding the treatment of stray and abandoned dogs. It’s essential to note that the situation can vary from one region to another, but here are some common aspects of the situation:

1.       Stray Dog Population: Romania has a significant population of stray dogs for many years. Some estimates suggest tens of thousands of stray dogs in the country’s urban and rural areas and indeed that appears correct in our estimations. Unfortunately, in those areas the roads are often lined with deceased dogs. They don’t stand a chance when it is often the case that cars don’t swerve or stop.

2.       Controversies and Concerns: There continues to be inhumane treatment, including the use of inhumane capture methods and the conditions in which the captured dogs are held. As an animal welfare charity, we have born witness to this again and again.

3.       Legal Framework: Romania has introduced animal welfare legislation in recent years to address some of the issues. Microchipping the dogs was introduced. The legislation aims to promote responsible pet ownership and improve the treatment of stray dogs. However, implementation and enforcement of these laws can vary. The reality can be very disheartening with dogs often being abandoned by owners particularly in rural areas. There are well known hot spots to throw a dog from a moving or static car, with the dog often running behind the car, bewildered and scared. The next car to come along can often hit the dog. Does it seem like the law is working? Some are lucky and will be rescued by animal rescuers or good citizens who do exist in plenty, but often the dogs can be found emaciated, starving to death, injured and often terrified. Sadly, for an ever-increasing number it’s too late.

4.       Efforts to Rehome and Adopt: Many animal rescue organisations like ourselves work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and where possible rehome stray dogs, but it’s important to remember that not all of these dogs can be homed.

After a decade of working in Romania we are still yet to find professional rehabilitation. The offer there if they are lucky is a kennel, time, love and patience. Sadly, many dogs find themselves in just a kennel with little else and it can be a worse situation than they had on the streets, with unkind workers, and greedy kennel owners.

Dogs can mean big money to some in Romania and a way to exploit foreign members of the public or dog rescue organisations into giving tens of thousands of pounds to line their pockets.  It’s difficult to sieve out the unscrupulous at times, but after a decade of working to help the dogs in Romania we work with the best most humble animal rescuers.

5.       Veterinary clinics: Particularly in the urban and rural areas it can be impossible to find a clinic that provides 24/7 animal care, and it can be very expensive and sometimes timely impossible to travel the dog to a facility that can meet their needs or save them in time. We have spent many years holding our breath as to whether a sick or injured dog would be in time to be saved. Finding a good health care professional can be a lottery.

6.       Public Sentiment: Public sentiment regarding stray dogs and the actions of dog catchers in Romania can be polarized. Some people support the efforts to manage stray populations and ‘protect public safety’, while others advocate for more humane and ethical treatment of these dogs.

  The Flame of Compassion Burns Bright

Whilst the walls of shelters may echo with sorrow, outside of them the flame of compassion burns bright, the good Romanian rescuers pour their love and care into the animals, offering sustenance and a glimmer of hope and they have to rely on groups like us to provide the resources. Their dedication is a testament to the unbreakable spirit of humanity. Their hours are long, the work is hard but the cause is worth it.

 A Glimpse of Hope: The Search for Forever Homes

Through our work with our Romanian rescuers, we are reminded about the resilience of the heart and the necessity of lending a hand. We can all play a role in rewriting the narrative.

Homes are often sourced out of the Country as Romanian rescuers often have little trust in the locals to home the dogs themselves. The shelters like ours work tirelessly to find homes for their resident dogs. Dogs of all backgrounds and ages wait patiently, their tails wagging with anticipation.

The teams work diligently to make matches that will ensure these dogs find the right people. This is not an easy task and homes that are prepared to have the patience and understanding to make the adoption a success are sadly few. Only the very adoptable untraumatized dogs often stand a chance of finding a home and successfully integrating.  Penny’s Ark is always on the lookout for homes like this, but our reality is that we need another option. A sanctuary is key to the problem that we face.

It is important to mention however that dogs we show for adoption we firmly believe are suitable candidates for loving homes, Some will fit in to homes as if they have always been there and others just need time, patience and understanding

 What is needed?

-Volunteers who can work online helping in a variety of areas such as promoting dogs for homes, matching dogs to homes, fundraising for our sanctuary, marketing, social networking.

- Foster homes who think they have what is takes to prepare a dog for adoption or can take the dog in at a minute’s notice if a home breaks down.

- Adopters - offering forever homes.      

- Funds Funds Funds – We can’t do this without money to vaccinate, treat injuries or illness, feed and house dogs in their own Countries and build our sanctuary.

- Sponsors – Sponsor a dog and become a member of our very lovely small sponsor group.

Together we can give animals a life worth living