Why are people adopting dogs from Greece and Romania?

[NorthernGravy]

My Facebook seems to have people who are getting dogs from charities in Greece and Romania and I don't get it. If you want to foster a dog then why not one from a local shelter?

I know a lot of rescue dogs can't be re-homed with children as past history isn't often known, but more of the foreign charity dogs seem to be allowed to go to families. It makes me suspicious that either the foreign charities are less strict or that there is some form of puppy farming going on somewhere in the chain.

AIBU?

None of the shelters within 30 miles of me had a dog suitable for me, so I imported one from 1500 miles away.
I know it's not the exact wording, but words like it have been used by several posters to the thread. There's a big difference between 30 miles and 1,500 miles that encompasses every animal shelter in the UK. Not just the ones local to you.

About 1,400 stray dogs were euthanized in the UK in 2017-18 (Dog's Trust data).
Just for those that think healthy stray dogs aren't euthanized in the UK.

I just cannot understand the "need" to own a dog.
I find it completely baffling.

Yes, I'm bias as I truly hate the sickly human adoration for dogs (or cats) probably stems from my completely unhinged mothers obsession with the fucking things!

I cannot think of a single positive experience from dog ownership. unless ofcourse its a working relationship.

Bonbell I was pretty involved with the rescue our Romanian dog came from for a couple of years afterwards. 99% of dogs adapted to domestic life very easily. Mine was one of the slowest to adapt, mostly because she was a low ranking dog who is nervous and submissive. She’s never, ever shown any aggression towards a human, even when terrified- she just cowers and screams out of scared, and pees. They had their own kennels in Romania where the dogs were assessed and worked with. They worked very closely with vets and the dogs had to have a lot of injections and treatments before they came. When they arrived in the uk they remained in a kennels for 48 hours and Defra could inspect them if they wanted. Both my own vets said she’d had more injections than she’d needed. She’s the sweetest, loveliest dog ever. The rescue are trying to introduce a neutering and educational program to the area they’re in and are working with the local mayor.

It’s easy to say leave the foreign dogs to rot, but when you’ve seen the condition they live in at the public shelters it’s hard to forget. It would be great if they put them down, but they just leave them to rot, with very little food and water and occasionally force feed poison to kill them (slowly and painfully). You have to have a stone cold heart to turn your back.

As I said, I have more issue with breeders in the uk churning out puppies despite there being far too many dogs in the uk already. I have two current and one previous uk rescue dog that is a well bred pedigree, still with issues and ending up in rescue.

We're over the moon with our Cypriot rescue, she's absolutely gorgeous and very street wise (knows which dogs to approach) She's seems far better socaiised than many dogs I see out on walks. We had a home-check before we were permitted to adopt her. I would have rescued from the UK, if any of the rescue centres had bothered responding to my initial enquiries

or "pure" as I learned from our old pal Harry King

@HavelockVetinari

I don’t know. I think it’s because the dogs trust are so strict. People want to adopt a dog in need without the hassle.

I haven’t fostered any dog and have cross breed dogs considered “designer” so I therefore am heinous in the eyes of MN

I will adopt a dog when I don’t work and can deal with any problems. I think any rescued dog is a good thing.

Ours is a street dog from SE Europe (not a country mentioned here so far). We’ve had him 4 months and is the right dog for us. Absolutely no behavioural issues at all, and the amount of photos with him passed out on the sofa show no issues with domestication.

We approached 5 local rescues, but were pushed each and every time towards a staffie which we absolutely didn’t want.

All the ones I have seen on UK rescueoften seem to be Staffies or Bulldog types or crosses .. I dont have a dog but have looked recently in thoughts of adopting one, and they all seem to be either of those breeds.. I wouldn't adopt one of those , as they have probably been brought up as fighting dogs and ended up in doggy care after or owners couldnt cope or they were removed.

Sorry, couldn't let this go. I have 2 rescue staffies and neither were involved in fighting, and nor were any of the many other staffs in the rescue centre. My boy is very well house trained, will sit, give his paw etc, but obviously hadn't been walked enough as he lacked muscle, was fear aggressive and couldn't be let off the lead. His previous owners gave him up when he was no longer a cute puppy as apparently he was 'too energetic'

I'm also bemused at people importing animals when there are so many dogs being put down here.

For the money. They're businesses masquerading as charities.

And yes in some cases there's instances of puppy farming.

We visited a small local rescue and fell in love with our current dog. We picked her due to her size, mix, and personality.

It was only after we said 'she's the one' that we learned she was from Romania. Apparently the rescue works with a charity abroad and about 50% of the dogs they had were from there. But at no time was either location pushed on us - we weren't directed to pick a Romania dog.

Wouldn't change her for the world ☺️

Awww isn't it cute? You saved one dog.

What about the thousands others that live in the streets? What about the people (including children) that get mauled,attacked,killed and harassed by them?

Imagine being 12 and in order to be able to get out of your building you need to pass 3-4 stray dogs.
Imagine taking out the rubbish and being surrounded by some more dogs.
Imagine going to school or work and being followed by a pack of 5 dogs because they can sniff your lunch.
Imagine your kid being killed and hysterical charities and stupid bleeding hearts moaning about the poor dogs and dogs can smell fear and that's why they attacked.
As horrible as it sounds they are vermin, they spread disease,they have fleas, they have rabies, they attack and threaten people,they take shelter wherever they can,they breed..again and again and again.

Charities get funded, dogs get captured tagged and sterilised. And some how the same bitch(tagged) has a new litter year,after year,after year.

UK people get absolutely hysterical over dog poo...there? They are everywhere...school grounds, hospital grounds,parks,beaches,streets etc.

You are not solving the problem,you are part of the problem! As long as there will be interest, funding and money to be made there will be dogs(and cats) living in the streets in those awful,horrifying conditions. Outside at -25 and in snow, outside at 40+ and blistering sun.

You saved a pup,well done!

I know of people who have brought supposed pedigree bloodline dogs back from Romania so they can breed them as they say the pedigrees here are so inbred now?

It is really difficult to adopt dogs from UK shelters. I guess that must be one of the reasons. Also, I think, UK shelters are not supposed to put healthy dogs down but ones in Romania etc do.

@mrcharlie
how about always coming home to someone who loves you unconditionally, who will always make you laugh and give you a cuddle.
how about how they get you out walking, keeping you fit and healthy. how about the amazing way they can improve your mental wellbeing?

Also, I think, UK shelters are not supposed to put healthy dogs down
Wrong. See the annual Dog's Trust Stray Report. About 1400 strays were PTS last year. The number is dropping slowly.

And it's not as if UK shelters aren't already importing dogs. One popular rehomer business that would like you to believe it's a charity imports under DEFRA permit a significant number of dogs from the ROI. And several more are doing so unofficially.

I have a Romanian rescue dog but I got him from a UK rescue centre. Right or wrong he was already in this country and a perfect fit for my family.