One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Why bring dogs over from Romania when there are already so many dogs in UK shelters needing homes?”
It’s a valid question, and one that deserves a clear and comprehensive answer. At PennyPaws, we are committed to helping dogs wherever they are in need. While UK rescue centres are indeed struggling, the situation for dogs in Romania—and many other countries—is far more dire. Below, we’ll explain why international rescue is so important, how it benefits both foreign and UK dogs, and why we believe saving lives should never be limited by borders.
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1. The Reality for Dogs in Romania
While stray dog issues exist worldwide, Romania has one of the most severe crises. There are an estimated 600,000+ stray dogs in the country, and they face levels of suffering that most UK dogs—sheltered or not—will never experience.
Extreme Neglect and Abuse
• Many Romanian dogs are born on the streets, living in dangerous conditions with no access to food, water, or shelter.
• Poisoning, beating, and shooting strays is common practice, either by individuals or government-hired dog catchers.
• Dogs are frequently hit by cars and left to suffer with horrific injuries.
• Puppies are often abandoned in forests, rivers, or bins, left to die.
The Kill Shelter Crisis
Romania has a network of kill shelters, known for their appalling conditions:
• Dogs are caught by violent dog catchers who use metal nooses to drag them into vans, often breaking bones or causing severe injury.
• Shelters are severely overcrowded—dogs are left starving, fighting for scraps, and often dying of disease or untreated wounds.
• Many shelters have no veterinary care. If a dog gets sick or injured, they are simply left to die.
• The euthanasia laws allow shelters to kill dogs after just 14 days—and often, this is done in brutal ways, including beatings or poisoning.
These dogs are not just “waiting for homes”—they are fighting for their lives in a system where suffering is the norm.
2. “But What About UK Dogs?”
It’s true that UK rescues are overwhelmed, but the situation is not the same as in Romania.
UK Dogs Are Safe, Romanian Dogs Are Not
• In the UK, a dog in a shelter will receive food, veterinary care, and some level of protection.
• No UK dog will legally be starved, beaten, or killed in inhumane ways.
• In Romania, a dog left in a kill shelter has a high chance of dying a horrific death.
Different Causes of the Crisis
The UK dog shelter crisis is largely due to overbreeding, irresponsible ownership, and cost-of-living pressures. Many UK dogs are surrendered because owners can no longer afford them or because they did not consider the long-term commitment.
In Romania, the problem is driven by government policies, mass stray populations, and a lack of education about neutering. Even if every single UK rescue dog found a home tomorrow, Romanian dogs would still be suffering in the same horrific conditions.
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3. “Shouldn’t We Fix the Problem at the Root?”
Yes—and that’s why international rescues don’t just rehome dogs; they also run spay and neuter campaigns, education programmes, and advocacy efforts to tackle the crisis long-term.
Neutering Programmes
Many rescues, including ours, invest in neutering as a key part of their mission. By preventing unwanted litters, we reduce the number of stray dogs suffering in the future.
Education and Outreach
We work with local communities to promote responsible pet ownership, teaching people why neutering, proper care, and ethical treatment of animals is essential.
Lobbying for Change
Some organisations fight for better laws to protect Romanian dogs from cruelty and improve shelter conditions. However, these changes take time. While we work towards them, we cannot ignore the dogs suffering right now.
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4. The Myth That Romanian Dogs “Take Homes” from UK Dogs
There is a misconception that rescuing international dogs means UK dogs lose out on homes. However, the reality is more complex:
Different Adopters, Different Choices
• Many adopters specifically choose to adopt from abroad because they want to help dogs in the most desperate situations.
• If international rescue wasn’t an option, these adopters would not necessarily adopt a UK dog instead.
• Some people feel more drawn to street dogs, as they are often highly adaptable, intelligent, and grateful for a second chance.
Romanian Dogs Can Be Easier to Integrate
Unlike UK rescue dogs, who may have experienced abuse in a home setting, many Romanian dogs:
• Have never been in a home before, meaning they don’t carry pre-existing trauma related to domestic life.
• Are used to surviving on their own, making them resilient and adaptable.
• Often integrate well into multi-dog households because they are accustomed to pack life.
Rescue Creates More Space
By adopting from abroad, we help free up spaces in UK foster homes and kennels, allowing them to take in more UK dogs in need.
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5. Rescue Shouldn’t Have Borders
At PennyPaws, we believe that a life is a life, regardless of where a dog happens to be born.
• If a dog is suffering, and we can help, why wouldn’t we?
• We don’t limit our compassion based on nationality—just as people support humanitarian efforts worldwide, we extend that same kindness to animals.
Rescuing a Romanian dog does not mean we don’t care about UK dogs. It means we refuse to ignore suffering, no matter where it happens.
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Final Thoughts
The UK rescue crisis is real—but it is not a reason to turn our backs on dogs facing unimaginable cruelty elsewhere. While UK dogs may be waiting for homes, Romanian dogs are waiting to survive.
Instead of asking, “Why help Romanian dogs?” we ask:
“If we have the means to save a life, why wouldn’t we?”
At PennyPaws, we will continue to help dogs wherever they need us most—because rescue knows no borders.
Article by Peter Loy, Greenbank Animal Sanctuary. March 2025