Category: Blog

Coming up a year ago we reached out to Penny Paws looking to adopt a dog. I have always rehomed rescue dogs however this was our first experience getting a dog from outside of the United Kingdom. 

Gill was very helpful sending pictures and information on dogs which met our criteria. Gill advised Agatha had been in a shelter, in Romania for many years until Gill and her colleague found her. After deciding on Agatha Penny Paws organised everything and under 3 weeks later Agatha arrived. 

She came with all the required paperwork and in humane transport.  I have adopted a number dogs from the UK over the years and honestly the process was easier with Penny Paws than any of the other rescue organisations. 

We learnt that a ‘Romie’ has certain qualities which we adore. Agatha is so grateful for all she gets, she’s is always happy and cherishs home comforts. Agatha is in bliss snuggled between her owners and she is also super intelligent with tons of fun character. 

We had a dog when we got Agatha, she is gentle and lovely companion to him. We can’t thank Gill and her team enough. Adopt a Romania from Pennypaws, you won’t regret it. These dogs fill your life with joy! 

Sarah and Sam April 2025

Please support or share the work we do to help the suffering dogs, thank you: https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/

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

March Mission Romania: Final Day Our time here has come to an end, and tomorrow we head home.

Leaving the dogs behind is always heartbreaking, but we take comfort in knowing we’ve helped build their confidence and trust in people—small but vital steps toward their future.

We’ve fed so many dogs over the past week, met incredible rescuers doing everything they can, and spent time with the new arrivals from Mihăilești public shelter. Many of them are absolutely terrified, still trying to decompress from the horrors they’ve endured. They need time, patience, and, most importantly, foster and adoptive homes to truly heal. This has been an emotional, exhausting, but essential trip.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us—now we need your help more than ever. Please share, foster, adopt—these dogs deserve a chance.

Thank you to every single person who supports us—you make this possible. We’ll keep you updated as we go.

Please support us if you can – or share the work we do to save the dogs, thank you x

https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

March Mission Romania: Day 4 Update

Today has been a deeply emotional day as we spent time feeding strays alongside a wonderful local lady who cares for 50 stray dogs every single day. Her dedication is incredible, but the sheer number of dogs in need is overwhelming.

We also visited her small shelter, where she does everything she can with very little, and met another amazing woman who has opened her home to take in as many strays as possible. Seeing their love and commitment is inspiring, but the reality is heartbreaking—so many puppies and adult dogs living in desperate conditions, waiting for a chance at a better life.

It’s hard to witness, but it pushes us to keep going. Every meal, every bit of care, every rescue—it all matters. Please keep supporting and sharing. These dogs need us now more than ever.

Thank you to every single person who supports us—you make this possible. We’ll keep you updated as we go. Please support us if you can – or share the work we do to save the dogs, thank you x https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/ https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

March Mission Romania: Day 3 Update

Another exhausting but fulfilling day here in Romania. We’ve been grooming, nail clipping, and cleaning, making sure the dogs feel a little more comfortable and cared for. These small acts of kindness make a world of difference to dogs who have been so badly neglected.

Today also saw the arrival of seven dogs from the public shelter, including four PennyPaws dogs. They are absolutely terrified, and it’s clear they’ve been through so much. Over the next two days, we’ll be spending time with them, helping them feel safe, building trust, and showing them that life doesn’t have to be so scary.

This work is exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but every moment is worth it. Thank you for following our journey and supporting us—these dogs wouldn’t stand a chance without you. More updates soon!

https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

March Mission Romania: First Update: Day 2

The PennyPaws team are continuing their work in Romania visiting the shelters and seeing all the dogs needing homes.

The team are self funded: Any money donated to Pennypaws goes to the goes – we are only run by a handful of hard working unpaid volunteers.

While we’re incredibly lucky to work alongside some amazing private shelters, they are stretched beyond all manageable limits. Underfunded and overwhelmed—these shelters are doing everything they can, but the dogs need so much more care, love, and attention than resources allow. It’s heartbreaking to see, but we’re here to help in every way possible.

We’re also heading out on more rescues soon, which means even more mouths to feed and more desperate souls needing homes. Every single one of them deserves a chance, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.

Please support us if you can – or share the work we do to save the dogs, thank you x

Thank you to every single person who supports us—you make this possible. We’ll keep you updated as we go.

https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/donate/ https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

The PennyPaws team has arrived in Romania and hit the ground running. We knew this trip would be tough, but the reality is even worse than we imagined.

While we’re incredibly lucky to work alongside some amazing private shelters, they are stretched beyond all manageable limits. Underfunded and overwhelmed—these shelters are doing everything they can, but the dogs need so much more care, love, and attention than resources allow. It’s heartbreaking to see, but we’re here to help in every way possible.

We’re also heading out on more rescues soon, which means even more mouths to feed and more desperate souls needing homes. Every single one of them deserves a chance, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.

Back in the UK, Peter & Jonathan are already processing the details, and we’ll be sharing the first profiles shortly. Please keep an eye out, share their stories, and help us find these dogs the loving homes they so desperately need.

Thank you to every single person who supports us—you make this possible. We’ll keep you updated as we go.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/pennypaws

Rescue Back-Up (RBU) for Rescue Dogs: What It Is and How It Works

Rescue Back-Up (RBU) is a term often used in the world of animal rescue, but what does it really mean? For those involved in dog rescue and rehoming, RBU is a crucial safety net that ensures rescued dogs are supported throughout their lives, even after being adopted. At PennyPaws, we believe in responsible rehoming, and RBU plays a vital role in ensuring every dog’s future is secure.

What Is Rescue Back-Up (RBU)?

RBU is a commitment made by a rescue organisation to provide ongoing support for a dog, even after adoption. This means that if, for any reason, an adopter can no longer care for the dog, the rescue will step in to help. This could involve offering advice, arranging temporary foster care, or, in some cases, taking the dog back into the rescue’s care to find a more suitable home.

RBU is essentially a promise that no dog rehomed through a rescue will be abandoned, neglected, or left without options if things don’t work out. Responsible rescues always provide RBU to ensure that dogs are placed in the right homes and remain safe for life.

How Does RBU Work?

RBU operates as a safety net through a structured process:

1.⁠ ⁠Pre-Adoption Screening

Before a dog is rehomed, responsible rescues conduct thorough checks, including:
• Home checks to ensure a safe environment
• Interviews to assess the adopter’s experience and lifestyle
• Compatibility assessments between the dog and the adopter’s family or other pets

These steps help reduce the chances of the dog being returned but also ensure that RBU is in place should circumstances change.

2.⁠ ⁠Adoption Contract with RBU Clause

Reputable rescues require adopters to sign an adoption contract that includes an RBU clause. This legally states that if an adopter can no longer care for the dog, they must contact the rescue first—rather than selling, giving away, or surrendering the dog elsewhere.

3.⁠ ⁠Post-Adoption Support

Even after adoption, RBU provides ongoing support, such as:
• Behavioural and training advice
• Veterinary guidance
• Assistance with any issues that arise in the new home

This support helps adopters navigate challenges and keeps the dog in a stable home.

4.⁠ ⁠Rehoming if Necessary

If an adopter’s circumstances change—due to illness, financial difficulties, or other life events—the rescue will step in to find a new, suitable home. This prevents dogs from being placed in shelters, sold online, or ending up in unsafe situations.

Why Is RBU So Important?

Unfortunately, without RBU, dogs risk being passed from home to home, abandoned, or even euthanised if they end up in overcrowded shelters. RBU ensures that every dog rescued has a lifetime of security, even if their first adoptive home doesn’t work out.

The Difference Between a Responsible Rescue and a Poorly Managed One

Not all rescues offer RBU, and this is a major red flag. Some organisations or individuals may rehome dogs without proper checks or ongoing support, leaving the dog vulnerable if problems arise. Before adopting, always check that the rescue provides full RBU—it’s a sign of ethical and responsible rehoming.

How You Can Help Support RBU
• Adopt Responsibly – If you’re adopting a dog, choose a rescue that offers RBU to ensure lifelong security for your pet.
• Foster – Temporary foster homes help rescues provide RBU to dogs who need to be rehomed again.
• Donate or Volunteer – Supporting reputable rescues helps them continue offering RBU to more dogs in need.

Final Thoughts

Rescue Back-Up is a vital part of responsible dog rescue and rehoming. It guarantees that no rescue dog is ever left without support, even after they leave the rescue’s care. If you’re considering adopting, always choose a rescue that offers RBU—because every dog deserves a second chance, with a safety net for life.

At PennyPaws, we believe that rescue is for life, and RBU is a promise we stand by.

Author: Lucca – Ambassadog.

We are struggling with food bills from Romania for the 50 dogs we have rescued from the kill shelters, who are now waiting in safe shelters for their chance of a forever home.

Pennypaws has saved countless dogs from a brutal fate—whether in kill shelters or struggling to survive on the streets. Thanks to Pennypaws, they now have a safe place to stay, but they desperately need food and care.
Throughout March, we need your help to ensure these dogs don’t go hungry.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/feed-the-dogs

Many of these dogs were found starving, beaten, and sick. Pennypaws takes on the high veterinary costs to rehabilitate them, giving them a second chance at life. Every donation—big or small—makes a huge difference.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/feed-the-dogs

Please help me reach my fundraising goal to help feed the dogs. Any amount you can give will mean the world to these dogs and help them on their journey to a better life.
❤️ If you can please donate today or share if you can, and be a hero for these rescued dogs!

Pennypaws Rescue is run by a handful of dedicated unpaid volunteers, ensuring that every penny raised goes directly to helping the dogs.❤️

If you can spare anything please click here:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/feed-the-dogs