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 u…
Read the storyAbout this project
Patrocle’s Friends is how we care for the animals at Dumbrava while also working to reduce abandonment in the community.
Our work has two equally important sides: rescue, treatment and recovery for animals in danger, and sterilization campaigns for dogs and cats in nearby communities, together with education about why spaying matters.
We cannot rescue every unwanted puppy or kitten, but we can help the animals that reach us and prevent future suffering through sterilization, education and community involvement.
Every rescue takes resources, time and space. Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones where we have to choose how we can help responsibly.
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What we actually do
Our work does not begin or end with adoption. We try to prevent suffering before it starts, care for the animals that come into our care and build healthier relationships between people and animals.
01 · prevent
Prevention through sterilization
Free or low-cost campaigns for dogs and cats in the area, so abandonment can be prevented before it starts.
In many months, sterilization helps more animals than we are able to rescue directly.
Sterilization campaigns: booking, transport or organization, sterilization, recovery and return home.
See sterilization campaigns
02 · rescue
Rescue, treatment and recovery
We take in animals that are in danger, sick, abandoned or injured. After consultations, treatment and surgeries, we work patiently with them until trust can return.
Meet the rescued animals
03 · care
Adoption and long-term care
We look for suitable families and support responsible adoptions. Some animals live at Dumbrava, while others are cared for in foster homes, where they receive safety, treatment, socialization and daily attention until they are ready for the next step.
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04 · teach
Animals as teachers
Children in Lizuca’s Friends sometimes join walks, feeding and socialization. This is how they learn responsibility, patience and empathy.
See Lizuca’s FriendsAt Dumbrava, I saw animals receive patience, care, and a real chance.
Dumbrava volunteer, 2024
A few of their stories
When It Rains, It Pours: September at Dumbrava
Treatments, medical investigations, orthopedic horseshoes, a broken water pipe, a cracked windshield, veterinary bills, dog food and three prizes pro…
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July at Dumbrava
July was one of those months when, if someone asked what we did, the answer was simple: we kept going. With rescued animals, treatments and adoption…
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Ups and downs
Every few months, it feels like everything decides to happen at once. A broken van, a leaking water pipe, unexpected veterinary visits, a kitten we c…
Read the storyCampaigns you can support
Events and blog
Blog
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.
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Blog
When an Animal Is Adopted
We can tell a family everything we know about an animal at the time of adoption. We can share their history, test results and any problems we have observed. But we canno…
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Blog
When It Rains, It Pours: September at Dumbrava
Treatments, medical investigations, orthopedic horseshoes, a broken water pipe, a cracked windshield, veterinary bills, dog food and three prizes promised to the childre…
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Blog
July at Dumbrava
July was one of those months when, if someone asked what we did, the answer was simple: we kept going. With rescued animals, treatments and adoptions; with dog walks, b…
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Blog
June 2026
From new kitten rescues and veterinary visits to children’s activities, therapy sessions, senior gatherings, and the launch of our Duolingo challenge, last month was ano…
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Blog
Baba - How Long Should We Keep Going?
Three years ago, the decision was easy, saving Baba's life was the only option. Today, at around fifteen years old, the question is much harder: **how long should we …
ReadThoughest cases
Baba - How Long Should We Keep Going?
Three years ago, the decision was easy, saving Baba's life was the only option. Today, at around fifteen years old, the question is much harder: *…
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Thor’s Story
Babesiosis nearly took Thor from us before we even had the chance to know him. Today, he is a gentle giant, loved by children and always ready to …
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Felix and the Part Nobody Sees
For a few years, Felix was just a stray cat being fed by kind people. Today, he is one of Dumbrava's longest-running medical cases. A story about sto…
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