The city of Găești (Dâmbovița County) has officially decided to end the killing of stray dogs. Instead, the administration will switch to a castration-based model: sterilization, medical care, registration and controlled release.
This decision was made locally and is considered an important precedent. Other cities and municipalities in Romania are evaluating similar models.
Latest Update (as of November 2025)
A new beginning for Romania’s animals Romania is currently experiencing a quiet but meaningful moment of change. For months, NGOs, volunteers, veterinarians, and committed individuals have been working together to create clearer, more humane structures for animal protection.
Many people in Germany and across Europe feel a personal connection to Romanian stray dogs — a connection based on experience, gratitude, and a wish for respectful treatment of animals.
The initiative was formed through collaboration between NGOs, volunteers, veterinarians, and parliamentary supporters. Its goal: to create clearer responsibilities and stronger protection for animals across Romania.
More than 215,000 people have supported the initiative. Their voices come from many backgrounds, but they share the same goal: clearer rules, reliable structures, and humane treatment of animals. The movement shows the influence that compassion and community can have.
The initiative addresses several core areas, including:
clearly defined responsibilities on local levels
transparency in the treatment and handling of animals
stronger accountability for urgent animal welfare cases
cooperation between authorities, veterinarians, and NGOs
All discussions are based on the official documents of the initiative.
Romania is a diverse country with significant regional differences. Some districts already have functional structures; others are still developing. A major goal of the initiative is to create national minimum standards — independent of region or resources.
For the first time, a broad, cooperative foundation has become visible — not acting against each other, but working together. The initiative shows that change does not always happen loudly; sometimes, it grows through continuous, steady work.
This section shows locations where political decisions are made and public statements are held – spaces where the initiative “Respect pentru Animale” has been presented and discussed.