Preadoption Questions

If you see a dog you’d like to offer a home to, please get in touch! We may ask a few questions and you’ll then need to fill in our application form.

Most of our rescues are found abandoned on the streets of Romania. It is impossible to know what they have been through and how long they have been living on the streets. Georgiana will be able to provide any information that she has on your dog but will usually be very limited.

Yes, all of our dogs are checked over by a vet and if older than 12 months have a 4DX test carried out. This test screens for heartworn, lyme, anaplasma and ehrilchia. If any of the tests are positive, you will be informed and this will be discussed directly with you. Any medication for heartworm will be provided directly from the vet in Romania.

Yes, by law your dog cannot travel without being vaccinated. They will have the core vaccinations which include Rabies and an equivalent to the UK vaccine recommended by UK vets, polyvalent vaccination, including 2 leptospirosis vaccines. Details of the vaccinations are contained within their passport which you will receive upon arrival.

Yes, both before travel and again, will be detailed in the passport. It is important that you continue this treatment when they are next due it. Please liaise with your vet in this regard.

Yes, your dog will be if they are of age. If they are not old enough, you must and will be obliged to ensure they are neutered at an appropriate later date.

Yes. Upon arrival, you are legally obliged to ensure that the microchip details are changed to your own. You can do this by visiting Petlog. Please ensure that you select the “recording of overseas microchip” option.

It is also a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar and tag in public. To avoid a hefty fine, owners must also ensure that the tag displays their name and address. We do not recommend that the dog’s name is included within the tag due to the rising number of dog thefts.

We would always advise adopters to be prepared to toilet train their dog, especially if you are adopting a puppy. As we rarely know the dog’s background, we do not know whether they have lived in a house before and whether they have been trained to toilet outside. You may however find that as your dog has probably lived on the streets for a period of time, they find it strange to toilet inside and will therefore automatically wish to go outside to do their business.

It is likely that your dog will be fed a mixture of wet and dry food. We recommend you find a good quality, affordable food that is readily available to you. Upon arrival, it is not unusual for a dog to have an upset stomach due to the stress of travel and we therefore recommend a diet of plain foods (chicken, rice, scrambled egg etc). You should then slowly introduce your chosen food to their diet.

• Dog bed/blankets

• Chicken, eggs etc (in the event of an upset stomach upon arrival)

• Your chosen dog food

• Food/water bowls

• Harness/collar. We would always recommend the use of a harness rather than a collar. It is much safer as the dog is less likely to be able to slip free from a harness. Of course, you are welcome to use both.

• Dog tag

• Puppy pads

• A long lead. Essential for training. Your dog must not be let off the lead (unless in a secure dog field or garden) until you are sure that their recall is good.

• Toys. Please be mindful that most of our rescues have never seen a toy before and will therefore not know how to play with them initially

Yes, it is imperative that you insure the dog and register them with a vet.

We recommend a policy that includes lifetime cover. These policies are designed to cover any chronic or recurring condition during the dog’s lifetime. With non-lifetime policies, dogs may be refused for pre- existing conditions or when they reach a certain age.

It is worth noting that membership of the Dogs Trust [£25 a year, or £12.50 if over 60) includes third party insurance, if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property or pets.

Your dog will be ready to travel when they have finished their vaccination course and have been spayed/neutered (where applicable). We usually have transport leaving from Romania to the UK twice weekly and your dog will be booked on the soonest available, most suitable transport. Drops to Scotland are dependent on how many dogs are ready to travel there but the transport to Scotland is usually once a week.

The dogs travel by purpose fitted vans in line with DEFRA regulations. It usually takes 2-3 days for them to arrive in the UK. This of course is dependent on a number of factors including traffic, weather conditions, crossing times and pet/border control at Calais.

Upon the dogs departure from Romania, a transport chat on Facebook messenger will be set up. This includes all the other adopters of dogs that are travelling on the bus and the transport staff and crew . Updates will be posted in the chat as frequently as possible and once the transport reaches the UK, ETAs and drop off points will be provided. Where possible, transport aim to drop the dogs off at the adopters home however to save the dogs additional time on the transport, collection points are often used. Please note that the transport travels 24/7, so you will need to be prepared for the possibility that your dog will be delivered/need to be collected at night.

A slip lead should be used however where possible you must carry your dog safely to the car. They must not be put on the ground unless absolutely necessary. The flight risk is significant and the chance of them trying to escape is high. If you are collecting your dog from a collection point, you will need to ensure that they are secured properly in the car for the journey home. You can do this by way of dog seatbelt, crate etc.

It is a legal requirement to restrain/attach your dog in the car. Failure to do so risks a fine of up to £2,500 [at 04/2021] and may invalidate any insurance.

Your dog must not leave your house/garden for at least 48 hours as per DEFRA regulations.

All dogs are different. Some settle immediately, most are very anxious and scared. Please remember they have had a long stressful bus journey and you must give them time, space and a “safe place”/chill out place. A “safe place” can be made using a bed and blankets and cushions. Upon arrival, please provide fresh water and some food and let them decompress in their safe space. Let them come to you when they are ready.

Yes! We are here to help and guide you. You are welcome to ask any questions at any time. Our private adopters Facebook group is also great for support and advice; we have many experienced adopters who are part of the group who can provide advice. Every dog is provided with “rescue back up”. This is not a refund policy and somewhere to dump an unwanted dog. Ultimately, it is the safe place for a dog to return to – but rescue back up is actually there to keep the dog in its home by providing support to the adoptive family to make the placement work.

Adopting a rescue dog can sometimes be challenging but is always rewarding!