Life after adoption
Tini found a family
In July 2026, Tini went home. Every adoption is a new beginning and opens a place for another animal who needs help.
Read the July updateWhy does Dumbrava exist?
Dumbrava lui Patrocle is the place where we learn to love.
Dumbrava lui Patrocle is a community organization in Cășeiu, Cluj County, working with children, animals, elderly people, and volunteers to build a more connected, responsible, and less lonely community.
We believe education means more than school results. It means empathy, responsibility, communication, respect, and belonging to a community.
Children need examples. Animals need people who understand them. Elderly people need connection. Change grows when all of them meet in a safe place.
Not just help. Belonging.
Not just activities. Safety.
Not just projects. Relationships.
Results with a face and a story
What changes, in real terms?
Stories are shared with care, without exposing details that could affect anyone's dignity or safety.
Experiences for children
A world larger than the village
A trip to Bistrița, Bârgău and Colibița brought new places, growing independence and memories built together.
Read the trip story
Companionship for seniors
One year of meeting
Regular gatherings created a place where seniors expect one another, talk, laugh and remain part of their community.
See what the first year meantThis week's spotlights
Three animals looking for a family
How do we build community?
We work alongside children, animals, and seniors through daily care, education, and experiences that build trust and belonging. Choose a project to see what we do in practice.
Lizuca's Friends
A safe place in Cășeiu where children find homework support, play, reading, trips, and examples that help them grow with confidence and responsibility.
More details
Patrocle's Friends
We rescue, care for, and prepare animals for adoption while tackling the root causes through spaying campaigns, education, and responsible care.
See the animals looking for a family
Community Support
Gatherings and support for seniors, groceries, warm meals, and charitable action for people and families in need.
More detailsThe people behind the results
Who cares for Dumbrava?
Dumbrava began in 2020 from years of volunteering and a wish to connect animal rescue, education and community support. Everyday work means decisions, driving, treatments, activities, cleaning, phone calls and a great deal of consistency.Adina Petrean
Co-founder. Coordinates projects, priorities and the connections between children, animals and the community.
Andrei Petrean
Co-founder. Supports the logistics and practical work that keep Dumbrava running every day.
Denisa Buchei
Part of the trusted team contributing consistently to the animals' daily care.
Dumbrava's volunteers
People with jobs and lives of their own who give time to transport, activities, events and care.
How does change grow here?
- Safety
- Belonging
- Trust
- Responsibility
- Involvement
- Leadership
- A stronger community
Practical help for someone at Dumbrava
Gemon dog food
20 kg · monthly need: approximately 40 bags
A 20 kg bag contributes to feeding the dogs in our care. We use approximately 40 bags each month.
You can also contribute what you can towards these supplies.
Cover the cost of one bag
One therapy session
One session · monthly need: 16 sessions
This contribution covers one therapy session for a child in our community. Approximately 16 sessions are needed each month.
Support one session
One gathering for older people
One gathering each month
This contribution supports a monthly gathering with coffee, snacks, games and time together for older people in our community.
Support the monthly gatheringBecome a friend of Dumbrava
You selected €20 monthly. Your contribution helps us plan steady support.
Help us offer stability to children, animals, and the community.
A monthly contribution, however small, helps us keep Dumbrava a safe place.
From the events archive
These events have ended.
Stories from Dumbrava
News, stories, and small pieces of life at Dumbrava.
September at Dumbrava: treatments, repairs and everyday life
September brought the loss of Mădă, ongoing treatments and rehabilitation, vehicle problems and another burst water pipe, but also the joy of Theo’s adoption. Care for m…
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It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
We're not teachers, and we certainly don't have all the answers. But that doesn't stop us from helping children with homework. A little about learning together, patience…
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Everything We Carry Behind the Scenes
Behind Dumbrava’s cheerful posts are people carrying grief, worry and exhaustion while caring for animals, organising activities and finding the resources to keep going.…
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August at Dumbrava
Trips, tennis, meetings between generations, two adoptions and around 80 animals to care for. August seemed like a relatively quiet month. At least until its last day.
ReadPartners
thank you for support!