Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all! RescueDogs.me is completely non-commercial and open-source. No ads, no monetization, no affiliate links – and that's a promise. We're here for one reason only: helping rescue dogs find loving homes.

Three simple principles guide everything we do: First, your privacy matters – no cookies, no tracking, no accounts required. Second, we'll never commercialize this platform. Third, dogs come first – we showcase them beautifully to give them the best chance of finding their forever families.

We're completely independent. We're not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any rescue organization. We simply gather their publicly available listings to make wonderful dogs easier to discover. When you're ready to adopt, you'll apply directly with the rescue.

European rescue adoption fees typically range from €350-€750, which includes transport to your home. This covers neutering, vaccinations, microchip, EU passport, Mediterranean disease testing, health certificates, and transport – services worth €800-€1,400 if purchased separately. It's genuinely good value for comprehensive care.

Good news – European rescue organizations can often match you with a dog within 2-3 weeks from application to arrival. This is considerably faster than many domestic rescues, where waiting lists can stretch 3-6 months for the right match.

Quite a lot! Most fees cover: spay/neuter surgery, core vaccinations including rabies, microchipping with EU registration, EU Pet Passport, Mediterranean disease testing (Leishmaniasis, Ehrlichiosis, and more), veterinary health certificate, official documentation, and transport from the rescue to your door.

Requirements vary by organization, but typically include: a secure garden for some dogs, time for a settling-in period, and home check approval. Some dogs need experienced owners. The wonderful thing about European rescues is they often have more flexible requirements than domestic shelters – they genuinely want to find good matches.

Absolutely! Many rescue dogs make wonderful companions for first-time owners. Organizations carefully assess each dog's temperament and work to match you with the right fit. Research shows 97% of international rescue adoptions succeed long-term, often thanks to excellent post-adoption support from the rescue community.

Actually, the data suggests otherwise. International rescue adoptions have a remarkable 97% retention rate (based on a University of Liverpool study of 3,080 adopters). The thorough matching process – including home visits and lifestyle assessments – helps create successful, lasting bonds.

You won't be on your own! Most organizations offer ongoing guidance, and there are active community groups full of experienced adopters happy to help. About two-thirds of adopters seek some behavioral support, and the vast majority report any challenges are fully resolved with the right guidance.

There's a real need. While adopters often face long waiting lists at domestic shelters, millions of dogs across Europe – in Romania, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and beyond – face euthanasia or life on the streets. This aggregator addresses this gap, connecting willing adopters with dogs who desperately need homes.

We include rescues from across Europe: Romania, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Malta, Turkey, Germany, Bosnia, Italy, and the UK. We've selected organizations that maintain high standards for health screening and post-adoption support, covering the diverse landscape of European rescue dogs.

No, and we mean it. We don't use cookies, don't require accounts, and don't track personal information. Your favorites are stored locally in your browser and never leave your device. We use only anonymous analytics to understand general usage patterns.

We'd love to hear from you! Visit our About page for contact details. The project is also open-source on GitHub if you'd like to contribute, report issues, or just see how everything works.