ALMA
Dog size: Irrelevant. Heart size: Big
Breed: Cocker Spaniel | Age: 3 years old | Female
Zara arrived in our care in February 2025, rescued from a puppy mill in Bulgaria, where she was kept only for breeding.
Despite her difficult past, Zara’s heart is full of love.
She’s friendly, affectionate, and eager to connect with people. Every day she’s discovering what it means to be truly cared for – soft beds, gentle hands, and kind voices.
Zara is ready to leave the shadows of her past behind and step into a future filled with kindness. She’s looking for a forever family who will give her the love and respect she always deserved.
Can you find space for Alma in your home and heart?
45cm
12kg
ALMA
Dog size: Irrelevant. Heart size: Big
Breed: Common breed | Age: 2 years old | Female
Alma arrived at the shelter in September 2023, together with her five siblings.
They had been living in some bushes near the Arts High School. A kind music teacher discovered them and looked after them for a while, but she had no place to keep them. That’s how they found their way to us.
The teacher had heard about our shelter from someone who had brought us another dog, Garçon, a few years ago.
She’d do best with someone who has a bit of dog experience and plenty of love to give.
Alma walks nicely on a leash and gets along with other dogs, but she is still quite shy. Sudden noises and new situations can scare her, but with patience and love, she’s slowly learning to feel safe. We believe that one day, she will find a family who will help her truly blossom.
Can you find space for Alma in your home and heart?
Documented health benefits
Benefits to you and your family
Points to consider
Hi, my name is Chick.
Find out what’s my life journey and how did the ROLDA team saved me and dogs like me.
The journey of a rescued dog from streets to a home
- ROLDA Rescue team saves the dog.
- Dog is transported to the veterinary clinic for a basic check and vaccination. If injured or in poor shape, dog is under treatment.
- Dog is placed in quarantine for 21 days from the last vaccine.
- Dog is sterilized and identified with microchip.
- Dog is moved from quarantine to kennel, which he shares with 4-5 other healthy dogs. Dogs are grouped depending on each dog tolerance with the others.
- The dog is tested how he reacts with other dogs, strangers, on leash, during feeding time.
- Some dogs need rehabilitation because they are over stressed, scared or not confident in people, trouble makers with other dogs.
- Dog is socialized and when needed, trained to accept leash.
- Photo session undertaken once the dog is ready to be adopted.
- The dog is advertised on website to find a home.
- Once selected by an adopter, the dog is tested (snap test) and undertakes a vet check, including dental examination.
- Dog has a cleaning and grooming session.
- ROLDA team prepares travel documents (including the TRACES document).
- Transportation option is selected. Arrival date and meeting point also agreed with the owner.
Dogs with behavior problems can’t be safely rehomed. Dogs behavior change constantly and is influenced by the pack.
Some dogs reveal a dominant character in the shelter, even if they came shy and obedient. Some other dogs come scared and problematic, with patience and love they transform into loving, safe pets. Some dogs change instantly because of a powerful noise (the noise of the bowl dropped on the floor, the noise of an ambulance on the road) because probably they remind of a previous trauma they suffered. With an insert background, dogs need constant surveillance and guidance to be adopted safely into loving, forever homes. The rate of failed adoption of ROLDA is under 2% from total number of adoptions.
So far, hundreds of #roldadogs have been adopted and are living in along with their adoptive families all over the world.
Here are just a few of them:
Many people worry about adopting an adult dog because they think a pure breed puppy will be easier to train. Because of their mixed background, most street dogs are more submissive, calm and grateful for having the opportunity to live in a safe home, away from dangers or from starving.
Our team can help you choose the perfect dog that best matches your needs and expectations: we have a variety of dogs, different ages, various sizes, and colors.
We have shy, dominant, calm, lazy, obedient dogs or dogs that might be a challenge for you but, will some hard work and dedication, be transformed into the perfect companion that you dream of.
There are aspects of adopting a former stray that are more rewarding than paying for a pure breed dog. Following a successful adoption, the bond created is unique.
Adopt a puppy from our shelters
No dog should live imprisoned for the rest of his / her life! Shelters like ours have the role of preparing a rescue dog for his journey to a new forever home.
Although most of our dogs are adults, we also rescue puppies and juniors. After the vaccinations and when the quarantine time expires, the puppies are ready to be adopted. Our puppies and juniors need basic training, like any other puppy brought from a pet shop.
Still have questions?
Please contact us at rolda@rolda.org if you have questions related to the adoption process, if you previously adopted from us and wish to share your experience with others or if you are in search and need guidance to select your best friend.
Which to choose: a pure breed or a mixed breed (aka mutt)?
Advantages of buying a pure breed:
- You can pick a particular breed based on characteristics such as long ears, large body etc.
- You also generally receive the dog as a puppy. If you use a reputable breeder, you also receive registration paperwork confirming authenticity of the breed.
Disadvantages of buying a pure breed:
- Dog breeding is big business and many unscrupulous people are out to make a quick buck. You need to locate a reputable breeder, which can be harder than you think if you want to keep the price low.
- Dependable and reliable breeders, who ensure their dogs have access to the widest gene pool available, will charge accordingly for a puppy and are usually far more pricey than the less experienced breeders.
- Additionally, pure breeds often have inbred health problems, such as weak hips or heart defects. With the best will in the world, there are only so many dogs available within one particular breed, so unfortunately genetic problems are common and expensive to treat.
Advantages of adopting a mutt:
- As a general rule, they live longer than pure breeds, so you can enjoy each other’s company for many more years.
- A mutt is usually much healthier than a pure breed because their gene pool is much larger so they are less likely to have a genetic disease.
- A rescue mutt often seems more loyal as they are happy and grateful to be with you.
Disadvantages of adopting a mutt:
- Adopted mutts are often adult dogs, not puppies, and therefore may need more time to train. They are usually smart dogs (after all, they survived a harsh environment) and are very adaptable to new circumstances, new commands and are ready to please.
- A dog rescued from the streets has been exposed to situations we can only imagine. He/she may be scared of loud noises, so the first time you load the washing machine, they may well act afraid and need lots of reassurance. Sadly, many have been abused, so could be scared of particular people who remind them of their abuser.
- We suggest that no matter how much experience you have with rescues, keep a close eye, especially in the first few weeks, while your new dog interacts with family members, other pets and visitors. Never let a child play with a recently adopted or purchased dog unless very closely supervised.
For UK adopters: ROLDA and PetPlan are partners in UK.
Petplan are the biggest providers of pet insurance in the UK and they provide us with 4 weeks free, no obligation insurance for our dogs once they reach the new owner.
The 4 weeks includes: a full 4 weeks of insurance against accidents and 2 weeks of insurance against illness, which starts 2 weeks after the dog arrives.
Still have questions?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
