Shelter's plea to help support Romania's stray dogs

A ROMANIAN animal shelter is calling on UK dog lovers to help support its work tackling the country’s stray dog crisis.

Speranta Shelter, based in Bucharest, is expanding its mission of rescuing, re-homing and rehabilitating strays with a sterilisation campaign and education programmes for children and adults.

And it is also appealing for dog lovers in the UK to support its remote-adoption scheme, which helps fund care for dogs in Romania.

The charity says that while Romania is the single largest source of imported dogs to the UK, rules on bringing dogs into the country are being tightened and cases of pet abandonment are rising in this country, with many shelters full.

Speranța’s work offers a humane, sustainable solution which aligns with growing scrutiny of animal welfare both in the UK and abroad.

Anca Tomescu, a veterinary surgeon who leads Speranța Shelter, said: “The UK has shown immense compassion for Romanian dogs.

“But the systemic solution lies in addressing the root of the problem here and to do that, we need your support.

“While UK shelters are full, simply moving dogs from one overburdened system to another isn’t the long-term answer. Our mission is to reduce the problem at its source.”

With support from global animal welfare organisation Four Paws, Speranta has grown tremendously over the last 20-plus years.

However, that support has now ended and the team at Speranta are looking to the UK for help to increase its impact to help reduce the suffering of stray dogs in Romania.

Anca said: “We are very grateful to the support from Four Paws over the past 20 years.

“However, now that has concluded, we are appealing to UK dog lovers to help us expand our holistic solution to manage the stray dog population by attacking the root causes of the problem.

“Through our ongoing sterilisation programme, which has involved more than 100,000 dogs, we directly reduce the number of dogs born on the streets, while our education programme also helps to reduce the number of abandoned dogs – this is the future of responsible animal welfare.”

Speranța’s model is built on core pillars which include a strict no-euthanasia policy, with its on-site veterinary hospital able to provide lifelong care, from complex surgeries to behavioural rehabilitation.

Its rehoming programme, which includes Messengers of Hope to rehabilitate traumatised dogs so they can find loving homes, has helped Speranta realise a 50 per cent increase in physical adoptions within Romania over the last year.

Speranta’s pioneering remote adoption programme also allows UK dog-lovers to ethically adopt from a distance.

A remote adoption with Speranta means ensuring a life-long sanctuary for a dog in Romania without adding to the strain on British rescue centres.

Anca said: “We know how many loving homes in the UK have been provided to Romanian dogs.

“For those who wish to help further, our remote adoption scheme is a direct way to support a dog’s entire journey.

“For example, Levănțica has a neurological disease and can only walk with difficulty using a special aid designed for her.

“By ‘remotely adopting’ Levănțica you can support this affectionate, loving dog continue to enjoy her life here at Speranta.

“With every donation, you help reduce the long-term suffering of stray dogs in Romania and support adoptions in Romania.

“You are not just rescuing one animal; you are helping to break the cycle for thousands more. Please support the home of hope for Romania’s dogs.”

For more information on Speranța Shelter, its remote adoption programme or to pledge a lifesaving donation, visit www.sperantashelter.org