28th July 2025
We have watched the BBC One programme today, Rescue Roulette: Dogs From Abroad, this evening. An emotional programme, with some truly real life sad stories brought in. Comments such as “Deliveroo” service were not very impressive, but when we hear about some other rescues practices, perhaps this is a truer phrase than we thought possible.
Whilst we have not seen other rescues posting about this, we really think that this programme should not be swept under the carpet. A warning for other rescues to either step up their standards, and brucellosis blood test in the UK, and remember that it is not how many dogs can be churned, but how the dogs can be prepared to the highest standards.
Paws2Rescue are keen to ensure that we hold, and continue to hold the highest standards. Whilst no-one is perfect, if we make a mistake, we would learn from it, and step up again. Whilst the legal requirements for bringing a dog to the UK remain minimal, we continue and will continue to go way above and beyond, carrying out full tests and vaccines. We send blood from dogs in Romania to the UK for testing for brucellosis by the APHA lab in Weybridge, and we have been doing this for over two years. Prior to this we tested for brucellosis in Romania.
Our detailed adoption process and blood testing and vaccination process is on our website: https://paws2rescue.com/adoption/
Our research teams in UK and Romania have been carrying out work for 4 years in Romania, which has been presented and published at The International Conference on Emerging Zoonoses and at the World One Health Congress. You can read about some of our work here: https://paws2rescue.com/brucella-canis-seroprevalence…/
Whilst of course we adopt dogs into the UK to the right homes, neutering and education was, is, and will always be at the core of our charity. For example, in 2025, we have neutered 60 dogs for every 1 adopted. For example in the month of August, we will be bringing only 2 adopted dogs to the UK.
Our rescued dogs are safe in Romania, we have no need in the main, to post sad stories, to have adoptions made from heart tugging posts. Our Sanctuary in Romania has a huge area where dogs are free all day – the ones that are not suitable for adoption, they love it there, and the Sanctuary is their home. Because not every dog can be a family pet.
Now in our 12th year, and through our Paws2Rescue vets research, we know that there are a very minuscule proportion of dogs where there is a genetic issue linked to aggression, there are certain types of dog that we no longer promote for adoption, because of their breed mix traits. The sad looking dog in the public shelter growling in fear – no, it doesn’t need a family home – it probably needs rehabilitation, and maybe will always be too scared to ever adapt to a family home. These dogs live in our Sanctuary.
We also rescue from Ukraine. We have taken a small number of dogs from Irina’s shelter in Zaporozyhe, a team we have supported for years. The dogs there are rabies vaccinated, titre tested and quarrantined for 3 months before then travelling to our Sanctuary.
Yes, we are picky with our adopters, because not every family is suitable for an overseas rescue dog. Just one example, during our thorough process, and before dogs leave Romania, our Behaviour Team carries out a Zoom call and we give thorough preparation advice. Our Behaviour Team are all qualified, and experienced in overseas dog behaviours. Our Adopters group means that adopters can post updates, and ask for advice at any time in their dogs life.
We hope that other rescues will read this and step up, we hope that we won’t scroll Facebook and see dogs being put on vans within weeks of being rescued, and we hope that rescues will follow ours, (and a very few others) example, and send blood to the UK for brucellosis testing, prior to bringing these dogs to the UK.
Watch the TV programme, don’t be “scare mongered”, but decide if an overseas rescue dog is for you, and choose the rescue you adopt from very carefully.
Here is the link for the programme:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002gkhx
Paws2Rescue’s focus will continue to neuter and educate in the countries where there are stray dog problems, and we will continue to adopt, to the highest levels, quality not quantity. We thank our supporters from the bottom of our hearts. Feel free to look around our website to learn more about our work, or contact us at [email protected] if you would like further information.
