Category: Blog

Jayda’s Legacy Room – A New Life Space at PennyPaws Reactivity Centre, Greenbank Animal Sanctuary

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jaydas-legacy

Every space we build changes lives. Alber’s Annex has been a lifeline for dogs with complex needs, providing safety, warmth, and care for those who have nowhere else to go. It’s been in constant use since the day it opened — and though Alber’ himself now lives happily in our home, his room continues to give others a fighting chance.

Now, we urgently need to create a second specialist space — one built in honour of the most extraordinary soul we’ve ever known.

Jayda’s Legacy Room will be dedicated to my beloved German Shepherd, Jayda — a dog who redefined what it means to survive.

Jayda came to us after horrific abuse left her severely deformed and in constant pain. Despite her disabilities and daily challenges, she loved every single moment of her life. She was my best friend, my constant companion, and my teacher in strength, trust, and unconditional love. With time, patience, and rehabilitation, she learned to walk again — proving every day that hope walks on four legs. Jayda’s Legacy Room will carry her light forward. It will serve as:

A calm, secure space for dogs with reactivity or behavioural needs to decompress and rebuild trust.

A recovery and infirmary suite for those who are post-operative, unwell, or in need of specialist care.

A comfort retreat for elderly, disabled, or end-of-life dogs who deserve safety, warmth, and dignity.

And a dedicated hydrotherapy facility — designed to support the recovery and rehabilitation of disabled and handicapped dogs, helping them regain strength, movement, and confidence through gentle, therapeutic exercise.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jaydas-legacy

We also plan to offer this sanctuary to a small number of “handicaines” from Romania — dogs with severe mobility challenges who have little chance of rescue elsewhere. This new facility will be fully equipped with rehabilitation aids, medical support, and 24-hour care to give them the comfort and quality of life they deserve.

When we built Alber’s Shed, we raised £600 and I personally covered the remaining £400. If we can reach even half that goal this time, it will remove a huge financial burden and help us begin building sooner.

Every donation — no matter how small — honours Jayda’s memory and helps save another life. Please, if you can, donate or share this campaign to help us make Jayda’s Legacy Room a reality. Together, we can ensure her strength continues to change lives. With gratitude,

Peter Loy

Founder, Greenbank Animal Sanctuary
PennyPaws Reactivity & Rehabilitation Centre
Where every rescue gets a another chance

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jaydas-legacy

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pennypawsrescue/permalink/1138146805118012

At PennyPaws Rescue, we are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs in need. Founded in 2018 by Gill Jennes, our mission is to give abandoned and neglected dogs—primarily from Romania—a second chance at life in loving homes across the UK.

All of the dogs we rescue from appalling kill shelters in Romania go to safe shelters where they spend time to de-compress and recover from their experience. Our dogs only travel to the UK once they have been fully vaccinated, flea and worm treated, checked by a vet including for brucellosis, chipped and passport prepared, in line with the regulations laid out by DEFRA / UK Government. This applies whether the dog is going direct to a forever home in the UK or to one of our experienced foster homes. At Pennypaws Rescue we take the welfare of the dogs and the rules very seriously. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk

Many of the dogs we rescue have faced unimaginable hardships, but with patience, care, and support, we help them heal and find the happiness they deserve, often with the help of Greenbank Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Manchester and our own Pennypaws Assessment Shelter in Norfolk.

Whether through adoption, fostering, sponsorship, or donations, there are many ways you can help change a dog’s life.
Explore our website to learn more about our rescue work, our Reactivity Rehabilitation Centre in Manchester, and how you can get involved. Together, we can make a difference—one paw at a time.

Browse all the Pennypaws Dogs looking for a home

On the 22nd September we will be on our way to Romania to visit the dogs in the photos below! We can not wait!

Thinking About Fostering or Adopting?
We’d love to hear from you!

If you’re considering fostering or adopting, please get in touch. We can assess our dogs and let you know which ones might suit the traits or criteria you’re looking for.

Whether you just want an informal chat or you’re ready to commit, we’re here to help find your perfect new family member!

Please download the PDF and share – thank you!

CONTACT
Gill: 07795 803434 – either call or WhatsApp/message and she will get back to you.
Email: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk OR sophie@pennypawsrescue.org.uk
Or click here to fill in the application form for your dream dog…before somebody else beats you to it!

We have launched the first Pennypaws Rescue video podcast with Jonathan Slatter hosting Gill Jenness to discuss the recent RSPCA / BBC documentay: Rescue Roulette: Dogs from Abroad. Available on Spotify and Youtube. Please subscribe.

29 adult dogs and many puppies rescued from brutal imminent euthanasia at Golesti Kill Shelter in Romania, thanks to the incredible Pennypaws Supporters.
Please see the video for pics and videos of some of the dogs in safe shelters and some having their vaccinations.
Most of these dogs were riddled with fleas and ticks and were starving. At keast they are now safe and we can start to begin the process of trying to find a way to keep them safe and eventually homed.

If you would like to help us further please contact admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk or see our support page here.
Every penny raised goes to the dogs – Pennypaws Rescue is only run by incredibly dedicated unpaid volunteers.
Thank you.

• WOW LOOK AT STUNNING BELLA – A SPECIAL GIRL LOOKING FOR A PATIENT FOREVER HOME 📍 In Foster in Bideford, North Devon, UK. NOW ADOPTED X
• Female | DOB 05/2022 | Medium Size (22kg, 32” to top of head)
  Bella is a sensitive and gentle soul who was found abandoned as a puppy by the roadside.
• Now in foster care in North Devon, she’s slowly learning to trust and experience the world at her own pace.
• She’s built a strong bond with her fosterer and is showing more confidence each day.
• Bella enjoys her walks and is good on a lead, learning key commands.
• She’s very food-motivated, which helps her training and makes her eager to please.
• Bella is still nervous around new people, especially those who raise their voices or approach too quickly. She responds best to calm energy and gentle guidance. Once she trusts you, she adores a brush and has started coming back on recall when out in safe spaces.
• She doesn’t like eye contact or being touched on her front paw, but she loves a scratch under the chin and brushing her back. Her crate is her sanctuary, and she finds comfort there when overwhelmed.
• Riding in the car is new for her—she’s fine once in, but needs support getting in and out. With time and reassurance, this will improve.
• Bella’s Ideal Home: ✔️ Quiet, calm home ✔️ Adult-only or children 14+ ✔️ Ideally pet-free, or with a very calm, gentle dog ✔️ Patient, experienced adopter willing to go at her pace ✔️
• Access to secure outdoor space for decompression
• Bella is fully vaccinated, neutered, flea/worm treated, and comes with full RBU (Rescue Back-Up) from the Pennypaws team.
• Could you be the one to show Bella that life can be safe and full of love?
• Contact: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk
• Apply here: https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/application-form

To find out more about adopting or fostering Bella, please contact Gill Jenness at Pennypaws Rescue at admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk or call 07795 803434.

By PennyPaws Magazine

They’ve crossed countries, escaped harsh beginnings, and found a forever home with you. Now summer’s here—and with it comes the need for special care, especially for our Romanian rescue dogs still learning what it means to be safe, loved, and understood.

From sweltering streets in Bucharest to shaded barns in rural Transylvania, Romanian dogs come with varied histories—and few of them include chasing tennis balls in a British garden or snoozing under a parasol. With a little knowledge and a lot of patience, you can help your new companion adjust to summer life without stress.

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Meet Me in the Middle: When Summer Heat Meets Street Savvy

In Romania, summers can reach highs of 35°C—but for dogs on the streets or in shelters, survival means sticking to shade, staying still, and conserving energy.

“It’s important to remember that just because they’re from a hot country doesn’t mean they’re used to exercise in the heat,” says Louise Byrne, a UK-based Romanian rescue fosterer and trainer. “They’ve often spent summers huddled under old cars or shelter overhangs, not strolling in open fields at midday.”

Here in the UK, temperatures over 20°C can be deceptively tough—especially with higher humidity and unfamiliar environments. The excitement of a new home may mask early signs of heat stress, so proactive care is essential.

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Top 10 Summer Care Tips for Romanian Rescues
1. Hydration Stations
Leave water bowls in multiple rooms, and try adding bone broth ice cubes for extra encouragement.
2. Cooling Mats & Damp Towels
Place these in shady corners or crate areas—many dogs gravitate to tiles or lino flooring on hot days.
3. Garden Time Only (For Now)
Use a secure garden to offer gentle, self-paced exploration. Avoid dragging a nervous dog into unfamiliar territory too soon.
4. Suncream for Pups?
Yes! Dogs with light noses or exposed skin (especially short-coated breeds like the Romanian Lurcher or whippet crosses) may need pet-safe sunblock on ears and noses.
5. Frozen Fun
Try stuffing a Kong with soaked kibble, yoghurt, or meat paste and freezing it. It keeps them cool, mentally enriched, and calm.
6. Paws Off Pavement
If you can’t hold your palm on the ground for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws.
7. Cooling Vests & Bandanas
These soakable wearables can make a huge difference, especially on vet trips or short toileting walks.
8. Use Fans Safely
Keep air moving in their chill zones, but don’t aim it directly—some rescues are startled by strong airflow.
9. No Car Journeys Unless Essential
Even with windows open, the heat inside a car can escalate dangerously within minutes.
10. Watch for Heatstroke
Early signs include excessive panting, glazed eyes, staggering, or vomiting. Move them to shade, offer water, and call your vet immediately.

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The Two-Week Rule: Why Waiting is the Best Walk

“People are desperate to show their new dog the world,” says Ana Maria Stoica, a Romanian rescuer based in Târgoviște. “But for the dog, the world is already too big. What they need is safety, not scenery.”

That’s why the Two-Week Shutdown is gold standard practice. It’s not punishment—it’s peace.

Why wait two weeks before walks?
• Your dog is likely exhausted from travel (which can take 3–4 days in vans).
• They’ve just been uprooted from their language, people, smells, and rhythms.
• Their nervous system needs time to regulate and attach to you as a safe presence.

Instead, focus on:
• Quiet bonding time indoors
• Building predictable routines (meal times, toilet trips)
• Low-pressure affection and gentle enrichment

“We had a dog who didn’t wag her tail for three weeks,” says rescue adopter Emily Crane. “But by week four, she was zooming around the garden like she’d always been here. Giving her that calm time changed everything.”

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Breed Watch: Summer Needs by Coat Type

Romanian rescue dogs often come in every shape and size, but here are a few common types and how summer may affect them:
• Shepherd Mixes (Carpathian, Mioritic, German-type): Often have thick undercoats. Brush gently but regularly to avoid overheating and matting.
• Short-Haired Lurcher & Whippet Crosses: Prone to sunburn and don’t tolerate long sun exposure—shade is essential.
• Scruffy Terriers & Medium Mutts: Often have wire coats that trap heat; consider a light summer trim (but never shave to the skin—it ruins coat insulation).

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Fun Facts About Romanian Dogs in Summer
• Some street dogs instinctively dig shallow ground nests to stay cool in hot soil—a behaviour they may continue in your garden!
• The name “Grivei” is Romania’s version of “Fido”— a common name for dogs across villages.
• Rescue dogs often nap heavily during their first month—this isn’t laziness; it’s nervous system recovery from trauma and overstimulation.

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Final Words: Patience is Power

Your Romanian rescue has already walked an incredible path to reach you. They may not be ready for beach trips, festivals, or café outings just yet—but in time, they will become your summer shadow, your hiking buddy, your sun-watching companion.

“The biggest mistake we see is people wanting too much too soon,” says Louise Byrne. “But those who slow down, observe, and honour the dog’s pace? They’re the ones who build something unshakable.”

So pull out the paddling pool. Offer a frozen treat. Sit beside your new best friend in the shade.

This summer, let love set the pace.