Adoption process
You can read more about our adoption process and requirements here.
ROLDA International Adoption Program
Romania is the country with the highest strays’ overpopulation from entire Europe, and of the highest from entire World.
Presently, the laws are not in dogs’ favor either, Romania being one of the countries where the law clearly permits the killing of healthy dogs and where there is a deadline for keeping dogs in the municipal shelters.
Romania is a less tourist country compared with Turkey, Greece or Spain; this is why this dog tragedy is less known by the public.
The big number of dogs on the streets and inside the Romanian shelters together with the lack of a local adoption culture makes international adoptions the sole salvation for thousands of dogs on death row. Sending dogs abroad is not a business, but a humane alternative which requires funding and important logistics.
Street dogs can find themselves living in such ways due to becoming abandoned by families who believe they have become “useless” as a working dog – such as a guard dog or hunter dog or feel they are too much hard work as a pet or being born genetically a street dog from an unneutered female.
It is safe to say that many of them have mostly lived un-domestic lives and it is our aim to rehabilitate and select the right dogs for adoption that we believe will benefit from living in domestic settings – freeing up additional space in our shelters and making a lucky family very happy in the process!
Boo
Boo came to us in a heartbreaking condition—weak, matted, and with eyes emptied of life. At ROLDA, we cared for him patiently, step by step. He was dewormed, vaccinated, neutered, bathed, groomed, and underwent a full dental extraction. Slowly, under our care and the loving attention of those who believed in him, Boo began to come back to life.
At the end of June, he travelled to Sweden. Today, he is a happy, well-cared-for dog who runs through the grass again, tongue out and eyes shining with joy. A soul who, for the first time, is no longer afraid to love.
This is what a life transformed by kindness looks like. But every day, more dogs like Boo arrive at our gates—sick, elderly, helpless. And some can be saved only thanks to those who choose not to look away.
Millie
Millie was rescued from a place where she had been kept for years, used only for breeding. A worn-out body, a silent soul, and eyes that no longer asked for anything — because she had stopped hoping.
She arrived at the ROLDA shelter in May 2025. We dewormed her, treated her, microchipped her, vaccinated her, and spayed her. But above all, we taught her that a human hand can also be gentle.
Today, Millie lives in Sweden. She has a family who loves her, a warm couch, and a favorite ball. She plays, sleeps peacefully, loves, and is loved. Her gaze has changed — and with it, an entire world.
Information about responsible adoptions:
What does sustainable and ethical adoptions look like?
We take the health conditions of each dog very seriously.
We do not rehome dogs with severe behavioral issues.
We offer settling in as well as on-going training support and signposting.
We are very aware of the stigma that overseas adoption surrounds and it’s why we are transparent and rigorous in our adoption processes.
We do not rehome dogs with severe behavioral issues – these dogs can live out their days comfortably in our shelters, remaining supported as sanctuary dogs. We aim to work with each individual dog and in ROLDA’s care, they are loved, socialised and continually assessed so that our rehoming teams can thoroughly match each family with the dog that is best suited to them and their lifestyle. Adopting a dog from us is a personal process, it includes an online application, a telephone interview and a home check, so whilst it is perhaps a more detailed approach, it means we are doing the best we can to set everyone up for success.
Furthermore, we understand that things cannot always go to plan – which can be said for any dog, bought or adopted which is why we have a qualified team who can offer settling in as well as on-going training support and signposting. We are also dedicated to growing our foster networks so that in the case any of our dogs our returned to us, we are not reliant on external UK/EU shelters or kennels. We also want to make sure you are part of a community post adoption, we run webinars and host Q&A’s for adopters who are keen to learn more about their companion or becoming part of our ever growing and wonderfully conscious adoption community.
Crucially, we take the health conditions of each dog very seriously and follow all requirements laid out by DEFRA (Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs – UK) and other EU regulators before each of our dogs are transported to their new home. Each dog is sterilised at a suitable age, vaccinated, treated with worm and flea preventions throughout their time at our shelters, tape-wormed and has snap tests for various diseases. If at any point the tests show positive, this dog will not be suitable for rehoming and they remain cared for in Romania.
Whilst it is important to acknowledge the differences of adopting an overseas dog, it does not mean they are any less worthy of a safe place to call home and a loving, consistent family. We are here to make that transition for every family and their new companion as smooth as possible. We ask adopters to be realistic in what they can offer an animal who has a colorful history, keep their hearts and minds open.
NOTE
ROLDA strongly opposites the illegal transports of dogs but these sadly exist across Europe. Public opinion is used to hear about the smuggling of breed puppies from “puppy mills” but unfortunately, many rescued dogs from southeast Europe are smuggled with illegal papers in the West.
Due to the dogs smuggling and the increased number of illegal transports across Europe (primarily in Germany) more countries show the intention of closing their borders or harden their conditions for international dog adoptions.
Ultimately, the dogs will be refused the chance to have a forever home and they will pay the price of some “rescuers”’ greed and lack of conscience.
Interested to become a part of ROLDA International Adoption Team?
Please contact us at manager@rolda.org.uk for an interview to join our Adoption team or to help us as a foster parent (if you are located only in one of these countries: the UK, USA, Canada, Sweden).
