A message to potential adopters

Before OUR dogs are adopted within the UK, they have had a huge amount of time, patience, commitment and financial support from ourselves, our sponsors and our fosterers. If you’re entering into this process, we ask that you approach their adoption with the promise that you’ll treat your new pet with the same level of dedication and devotion.

After an initial honeymoon period, many of OUR rescues acclimatise into their new homes and settle like they have never been anywhere else, but there are some that do not. We cannot foresee the future so we need to know that you have fully considered every eventuality?

As part of OUR’s ongoing commitment to our adoptees, we offer ongoing advice throughout the dog’s life from experienced adopters about how to integrate your new family member successfully and help rectify any ongoing issues. Once every avenue of support has been pursued, rescue backup (RBU) is available, where OUR will organise your dog being surrendered back into our care and taken to a place of safety.

We must stress that you thoroughly and honestly ask yourself these questions before applying for a Romanian rescue dog as RBU will only be exercised in exceptional circumstances.

Are you prepared for your new arrival and for your life to be turned upside down or are you expecting a dog to fit in immediately with you, your routine and your family?

  • Are you prepared for your new arrival and for your life to be turned upside down or are you expecting a dog to fit in immediately with you, your routine and your family?

    Do not underestimate the impact on your social life, your house rules and your daily life.

    You need to fit your life around your dog; not the other way around.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • Have you considered what you will do about introducing your new dog to existing dogs? What if they don't immediately get on? How are you going to work around this?

    If you have a dog already, it is highly advisable to remove all toys and treats from being freely available, our dogs have never had these things and will guard them. It's quite common for dogs to take time to settle in each other’s company not instantly become firm friends but it can be worked through with the correct advice.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • Are you expecting lovely walks in the countryside with a well-behaved dog that trots happily at your heel?

    In time, this may happen, but most of our dogs will never have experienced a harness or lead so learning to cope with them will take time and patience. Also, they may initially hide or attack other unfamiliar dogs that they consider more dominant whilst out of your home.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • Do you have children? Are they old enough and sensible enough to follow the rules of having a new pet?

    New dogs need planned integration with every new family member. Will your children respect the dog’s need for a ‘safe space’? If a dog growls, it is a sign that they are intimidated in a new, unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • Have you considered taking time off work when your new pet arrives?

    We ask that you spend as much time as possible with your new arrive to help them to settle into a home and build up the time that they are left in small doses. Some of our dogs will display separation anxiety, which will mean major adjustments to your normal routines.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • Are you prepared for if your dog latches onto a family member and begins to guard them?

    This is a very common and hopefully a temporary thing. If it happens, we will expect you to follow our advice and work through it.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

  • How house proud are you?

    Most of our dogs will not be house-trained so how important are your new carpets or your belongings? Our dogs may have accidents or chew if they are anxious as they just don’t know any different.

    This is NOT a reason for a dog to enter into rescue backup.

If you are applying (or have applied) to adopt one of our dogs and have any doubts at all, contact us now and not two days after your dog has travelled for days to get to you on the promise of a better life.

Imagine life from your new dog’s perspective…

  • You've just been taken from the only family you've ever known;

  • been placed in a crate and travelled hundreds of miles for up to three days;

  • dumped in a place called ‘home’, which smells funny, has scary noises and is filled with people you don’t know or trust;

  • you desperately need to sleep as you haven't slept for three days, but you don’t know if it’s safe to close your eyes?

Adopting a Romanian rescue dog is unlikely to be plain sailing; if problems arise, we expect you to not panic, read up on a solution and take up our offers of support. Their guard will begin to come down and they will start to feel happy under your care, but this whole process can take many days, weeks or months.

By following the advice that you are given and not panicking, rescue backup will almost certainly not be needed and most dogs WILL become the loving, loyal pet you dreamt of.