Speranta means hope and that’s exactly what three generations of women are giving to hundreds of dogs in Romania.
Earlier this year, my rescue dog Vinnie donned his best bow tie and joined me at the Tea and Tails afternoon tea event at Love My Human Townhouse Cafe in Chelsea. Alongside delicious treats and a professional portrait by pet photographer Amie Barron, we were there to learn about the inspiring work of these women who have dedicated their lives to helping Romania’s stray dogs.
It all started with grandmother Florina Tusca, who set up the Speranta Foundation and later the shelter. Today, her daughter Anca is lead vet and shelter manager, while her granddaughter Sara, who has been part of the shelter since she was a baby, now works alongside her mother.
How it all started
Florina founded the Speranta Foundation back in 1996 but its story really got started in 2001. This was the year that the mayor of Bucharest began ordering the killing of stray dogs in the city. In a single night, Florina, alongside her family and friends, saved more than 300 dogs who faced euthanasia.
Florina then founded Speranta Shelter when she had nowhere else to take the rescue dogs. The shelter has been relocated multiple times since then before receiving its current land as a donation in 2006.
Saving hundreds of dogs in one night was only the beginning. Over the years, the shelter has grown into something far bigger.
What is happening at the shelter now?
Today, it is one of the largest private shelters in Romania and home to 500 rescued former strays, offering them “a place of healing and a place of hope.”
Among them are paraplegic dogs and more than 200 senior dogs. Watch their video to discover some of the lives that have been transformed at Speranta. Their stories are remarkable, including one dog who was “put back together like a puzzle” after being hit by a train.
It’s more than just a shelter, the aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome. At Speranta you’ll find an on-site vet and physiotherapy clinic as well as swimming pools and playgrounds for the dogs.
They provide a rehabilitation and desensitisation programme that is unique in Romania. The ‘Messenger of Hope’ programme helps dogs prepare for adoption by gradually introducing them to life beyond the shelter.
Education and therapy programmes are also offered within the community. A school education programme focuses on prevention, helping ensure fewer dogs end up on the streets in the first place. The shelter also runs a spay and neuter campaign.
Anca and Sara told us their strength comes from community. Just one example of this is the ‘Stew for all Bobita.’ This happens once a month when volunteers, visitors and employees make a hot cooked meal for all 500 dogs.
What can we do to help?
There are many ways we can help the shelter, even from right here in the UK.
Donate: A one-off or monthly donation to Speranata, no matter how big or small, will help to cover everything from food and shelter to medical care for hundreds of dogs.
Remote adoption: You can adopt a dog remotely from anywhere in the world. You’ll help to care for the dog through a monthly donation. You choose the amount and the duration of your support. During this time you’ll receive regular updates about your sponsor dog including their progress and victories.
Physical adoption: Sponsoring a dog remotely can make a huge difference to their future. If you later decide to offer that dog a forever home, you’ll be given priority. You don’t have to do remote adoption first, of course. While the shelter does aim to rehome most dogs within Romania, their dogs have been rehomed here in the UK too.
Volunteer: If you would like to travel over to Romania then the shelter welcomes visitors with open arms. Again, you can choose when and how long you volunteer for. It’s ideally located just 20 minutes from the centre of Bucharest.
Whether you choose to donate, sponsor a dog, volunteer your time or offer a forever home, every contribution helps Speranta continue its life-changing work.
Vinnie is a rescue dog himself, so we’ve seen firsthand how a second chance can transform a dog’s life. We all know dogs give us so much in return. So, let’s help Speranta continue giving hope to hundreds more in Romania.
