Anyone adopted a dog from Romania

[BillThePony]

This is something I am considering along with looking at UK rescues, I just wanted other people's experiences of doing so.

I've not had a dog since I was a child so wouldn't class myself as an experienced owner.

Also what to rescues look for on home checks?

We only have an adult dd who is away at uni, dh works from home 3 days and the dog would come to work with me the other 2.

I did read the article. I’m responding to you having read it. There are also many vets involved in bringing these dogs over. My point is that if these diseases exist abroad, uk dogs can contract the diseases abroad and bring them back to uk without being checked.

grotty Romanian streets

Less about that unless you have actually visited.

My point is that they are posing a much bigger threat and are more prone to picking up diseases as they are street dogs.

@PanicAndRun there are gritty streets in Romania...just as there are ‘grotty streets’ elsewhere including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool...I could go on. Incidentally been to all of these places.

But if you do the groundwork and rescue from a good source where those illnesses are screened for, your rescue could be safer than a uk dog that had been to Spain on a holiday and picked up a disease there.

That’s the point, these illnesses aren’t being screened for.

They are . Mine were .

Look the BVA are issuing warnings to avoid adopting dogs from abroad mainly because of this issue, it’s becoming much more prevalent and many of these diseases don’t present any symptoms. I don’t believe your dogs were screened for all of these diseases, it’s just not possible I’m afraid.

Well I have the paperwork to prove it. My point is don’t put people off. You’ve seen on here that many have successfully rescued dogs from Romania. Let people make their own decision, you’ve made yours.

May I ask why you are so interested? Are you a vet?

My point is people should be aware of the risks and make an informed judgement. There’s lots of large organisations who are anti doing it for very valid reasons. It’s also endangering other people’s animals. Best to be informed. As I mentioned boxers my friends Romanian dog carried parvo into this country, died not after despite supposedly having all the health checks. All the other dogs she was confined with also sadly died.

My husband is.

I have had 4x street dogs from Asia and 1 from Cyprus and all five of them were real softies. Some took more time to settle in than others but that’s normal depending on experience. The reason I had dogs from abroad was two fold a. I used to live in Asian and found 2 of them outside my house. Then with the others I tried to adopt from uk but as I have small children they wouldn’t rehome in such a household so I used a friend’s charity in Asia and then Jodie’s Cyprus Dog Rescue which my in-laws had used ( their dogs are lovely).
I think it’s a complex decision- which ultimately comes down to the dog you choose and their experiences, the charity you use and their protocols, and then your time/ ability to work with said dog. For me- one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life And irrespective of route you choose giving an unwanted doggie a forever home is one of the most rewarding things I think you can do- best of luck with it all

Ok. I don’t think you should be warding everyone off though. There are many success stories and your argument about disease is real but as I’ve said the risk is there for dogs that travel abroad.

I've got a foreign rescue. Very nervous but a wonderful dog. I didn't adopt from a shelter here because there were so many rotties, bully breeds and similar. I just wanted a medium mongrel. He was fostered first though. And screened.

From the British Veterinary Association: ‘Adverts for organisations that rehome European dogs are often only a couple of clicks away, but in reality these ‘Trojan’ dogs often have unknown health histories, and may pose a risk to the native pet population and even humans in some cases if they bring in diseases which are either new to the UK or have been previously eradicated. Our members are particularly worried about the potentially fatal zoonotic diseases leishmaniasis, and have also reported seeing cases of other exotic conditions such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis and heartworm.

“While it may be a hard truth to take, we would always advise people to look at rehoming dogs who are already in the country; there are so many dogs in the UK who deserve a loving home and who don’t pose a potential health risk to themselves and the pets around them. If you already own a rescue dog from abroad, approach your local vet for advice on testing and treatment for any underlying conditions.”

These recommendations are part of a ten-point manifesto the BVA has released to political parties prior to the election.

Dont understand why people adopt from other countries when there are rescue centres in the UK full to the brim with dogs needing homes.

Yes I read the article. Many vets involved in bringing these dogs over, often donating their time for free. As I said, do the groundwork and get your dog checked, whether uk or abroad.

No vets I know. 😉 The RSPCA has also voiced concerns about adopting from abroad and would prefer people to consider British rescue organisations.

The disease risk from imported dogs makes me shudder- at least with food producing animals all premises here are licensed and you need to do movement paperwork every time an animal enters or leaves the registered property; animals and in-contacts can be traced and quarantined in the event of an outbreak of exotic infectious disease. Whereas infected dogs could spew their ticks, saliva, urine and faeces round every park and bit of woodland they visit. Even the pet passport scheme makes me slightly uneasy. I've seen a young dog die of Angiostrongylus (in a puddle of blood pouring out its nose) after visiting France on holiday when it did not receive adequate preventative medication. "Home grown" cases of this disease in parts of the UK that never had it before are springing up and not just due to climate change or visiting the few UK hotspots that had previously existed, I believe.

Well plenty of vets are and thank goodness!

I've fostered lots of dogs from the UK and abroad. I have several rescues of my own, 2 from the UK and one from Croatia. They are all very easy friendly dogs and have been with me through 25 foster dogs that they shared the house with happily and also 2 human babies that they are great with.

I've had good and not so good rescues from the uk and abroad. I've had terrible experiences with pedigree uk puppies who have health issues.

I'm a very experienced dog owner now but in the past I've had a dog aggressive dog. In hindsight I should have returned her as she limited my daily activities. I could see the aggression within a couple if weeks but I didnt realise how it would eliminate any social walks. I had her 15 years.

As you havent had a dog for a while can you take a friend to the rescue to help you choose, someone who has a dog you can introduce your potential dog too?

My advice would be to get a dog that's in foster not a kennel. The foster homes will know alot more about the dog than they will at kennels.
Also look for a dog confident enough to be on it's own as it will be on it's own. Some ex breeders or foreign dogs need dog company.

You have to give a dog a chance to settle. They say it takes a year. But also go in with an open mind. Your idea of a difficult dog could be someone else's idea of an angel. See the dog a couple of times and identify what's important and see it doing that. As a foster carer I wouldnt mind at all if someone came to see one of my fosters and wanted to see it in several situations- in the park, off lead if appropriate, with a cat, meeting a dog etc. For me it would show how serious they are.

Rescue centres deal with alot of numpties. Weve had all sorts. People send puppies back because they wee on the floor on the first day, grow too big etc.

I do home checks and I would just be looking for a secure garden, size doesn't matter. Security of the front door matters - can the dog bolt. Where will it sleep, what will you do with it when you go out, are you prepared to work through any problems you may encounter, have you got training classes lined up as they are a good idea.

And please dont take 2 weeks off and stay home all that time with the dog. Go out and leave the dog home alone for an hour or 2 from day 1. That way the dog thinks it's norma iin it's new house. Go out even if you dont need to. Leave the dog from day 1 for a short period. Otherwise when you do leave it the dog thinks it's super stressful because it thought it was settled and knew the routine and its changed.

I have had lots of rescues and I'm so pleased your going for a rescue. Be selective. Dont fall in love without considering what your told about the dog. And always ring the rescue if you need help. They have behaviourists that can and will help if you have problems.

Good luck, you will be fab owners as your taking it seriously. I would highly recommend many tears rescue. They rehome all over the country. They have some dogs from abroad so dont be put off looking at them as well as the home grown ones.

get your dog checked

Thanks for having such faith in us vets but sorry to have to break our halos- no test is 100% sensitive and some diseases have a significant latent phase where a dog can look- and even blood test- fine.

Theres a few rescue centres in the UK which rescue Romanian dogs from kill shelters over there and bring them back here so you can visit them before deciding to adopt. One of my friends has one and she loves him to bits, hes very well behaved and a joy to have. I'd say fo it, you're rescuing a dog from death.

I love my Romanian rescue. Had her 8 years now. Everyone says they can’t believe she was a stray. She was in a UK shelter. Don’t be put off but do research and checks properly.