Your DonationBrâncuși came to us from the streets of Târgu Jiu, a town that has been drawing our attention more and more because of the suffering endured by abandoned animals.
The first time we saw her, we immediately realised that her story was one of the hardest. Her muzzle had been split open and displaced – a deep wound that looked nothing like the result of an ordinary fight between dogs. Although people in the area said she had been bitten by another dog, the injuries pointed instead to a violent blow, most likely inflicted deliberately.
At first, we all thought she was a boy, so we named her Brâncuși, inspired by the place she came from. The truth is that no one could get close enough to examine her properly. She was so frightened and distrustful that the mere presence of a person made her tremble with fear. Only later did we discover that Brâncuși was, in fact, a girl. We decided to keep her name, because by then it had already become part of her story.
Her physical injury is only part of her tragedy.
Brâncuși lives in a constant state of fear. She panics whenever someone approaches and seems convinced that people will hurt her. To us, that fear speaks just as loudly as the wound on her face.
Her case immediately reminded us of Grivița, the dog with the slashed muzzle who, many years ago, became the symbol of Speranța Shelter. We know recovery is possible – but we also know how much patience, care and support it takes for an animal so deeply traumatised to learn to trust again.
Brâncuși has already undergone her first surgery, during which the veterinary team successfully reconstructed her muzzle and spayed her. But the real battle is only just beginning.
She still faces treatments, rehabilitation, and many months of patient work to help her regain trust in people. She will need a safe place, constant care, and people willing to show her, day after day, that not everyone is like those who caused her so much pain.
We have committed ourselves to this mission. But we cannot accomplish it without your help.
Your donation goes directly towards Brâncuși’s medical treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing care. It gives her the chance to leave fear behind and, perhaps for the very first time in her life, discover what it means to be loved and protected.
Donate for Brâncuși and help her experience the kindness she has never known.
The Speranța Shelter Foundation was founded in 1996 by Florina Tomescu and, since its inception, has contributed decisively to the welfare of animals in Romania, especially abandoned and suffering dogs.
On the night of 18.04.2001, the staff of the Speranța Foundation, together with the Vier Pfoten Romania team, rescued 300 dogs from the city hall shelters, dogs that would otherwise have fallen victim to the new euthanasia law. It was a real act of mass rescue at a terrible time for both animals and animal lovers.
The dogs at Speranța were rescued from the streets or from various life-threatening situations. Our shelter is home to about 500 dogs. Of these, 7 are paraplegics (they receive special care and are moved around with the help of prams) and about 200 are seniors, i.e. over 12 years old. We have a lot of older dogs in the shelter, but we are constantly trying to find families for them.
The Speranța Foundation is working hard to find adopters for the dogs in the shelter, including offering the possibility of distance adoption. Speranța Foundation is constantly organising events to promote adoptions and to raise awareness of the responsibility we all have towards animals.
Every year, the team from Speranța Shelter conducts sterilization programs for dogs and cats with owners, a pro bono project for those interested.
Speranța Shelter relies entirely on private donations to care for its more than 500 dogs each year and to fund all of its programs. The shelter’s monthly maintenance costs amount to more than €30,000.
In addition to maintenance expenses, we continually need financial support to improve the living conditions of the dogs by providing them with a clean, safe and loving environment. The shelter has been constantly upgraded, the paddocks have been rebuilt to be more comfortable and welcoming for their residents, 4 playgrounds have been created for the dogs, the 2 medical clinics have been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
Speranța Shelter is also actively involved in campaigns to promote adoptions and to educate and raise awareness of the responsibility we all have towards animals, in order to prevent abandonment and acts of cruelty towards them.
For more information on the work of the shelter, visit the About Us page
Any contribution, no matter the amount, can make a difference in the lives of many animals. Here are a few reasons why you should consider donating monthly:
Continuous support:
Monthly donations provide a stable income stream for the foundation, which allows for long-term planning and implementation of actions for the good of the dogs.
Save time and effort:
Setting up a monthly donation is an efficient way to contribute without having to remember to do it every month.
Personal Satisfaction:
Regular donation gives you the feeling of actively contributing to an important cause and having a direct impact on the lives of animals.
Sustainability of the activity:
A steady stream of monthly donations can help the shelter weather tough times and continue to do valuable work.
You can update your monthly donation at any time, including the donation amount, donation period, processing date, or payment card. You can also cancel your recurring donation whenever you wish.
To make any changes, simply access the “Go to Donor Portal” link located at the bottom of your donation confirmation emails. These emails are sent after each monthly donation is processed. Once you access the link, follow the instructions provided to update or cancel your donation.
Let’s change Brâncuși’s destiny.
With your donations, she will have the chance to heal, regain her trust, and discover what it truly means to be loved.
Let’s change Brâncuși’s destiny.
With your donations, she will have the chance to heal, regain her trust, and discover what it truly means to be loved.
