Skip to content
TailHarbor
← Back to results
Available

Curcan

Mixed Breed · Unknown · Young · 3 years

Curcanul was rescued in February 2023 from a filthy apartment, where he lived in captivity alongside four other dogs. None of them had ever been outside. They were kept in a dark room, with no air, no light, and no chance of ever feeling grass under their paws. Although the woman who had gathered them meant well, she unfortunately failed to provide what dogs truly need: freedom, play, and real love. Curcanul was one of the most affected: suspicious, aggressive, deeply scarred by years of isolation. He was brought to the Speranța Shelter with serious doubts about his adoptability. And for a time, those doubts were justified. The other dogs were adopted rather quickly. He remained. Silent. Alone. And despite all efforts, distrustful. From Fear to Courage, from Aggression to Trust Because we didn’t give up on him, he was included in the “Messengers of Hope” program, through which we aim to give a second chance to the most difficult-to-adopt dogs. In the first months, Curcanul made small but consistent progress: he learned to walk on a leash, to accept being touched, to remain calm around people. He discovered grass, park smells, and city sounds. His outings outside the shelter visibly transformed him. He began exploring – timidly, but curiously. He slept in a house, met cats, attended events with large crowds, and genuinely enjoyed the company of children. During this time, a Romanian family living in England noticed him and started following his progress. They visited him, spent time with him, and named him Hugo . Hugo began to respond to his new name and adapted to a reality he could never have dreamed of. The final big test was at the Cotroceni Bazaar, an event with thousands of people, where he behaved impeccably, interacting effortlessly with people, dogs, and even cats. He was ready. Toward a New Life – Hugo Now Has a Family In October 2024, Hugo was officially adopted. The family in England, who had followed his journey step by step for months, decided he was the one. They prepared his documents, set up their home, and a few weeks later, Hugo left the shelter and Romania for good – heading home. Today, Hugo runs free in a real garden, surrounded by love and patience. He is now part of a family that respects and adores him, that understands his past and has offered him a future. His journey from “an impossible-to-adopt dog” to “a happy dog in England” is living proof that when you don’t give up, miracles do happen. Curcanul no longer exists. But Hugo… Hugo is alive, curious, and loved. And he is living the most beautiful version of his life. Curcanul has been given a new chance thanks to your generosity. Your donations can help us save other innocent souls. Thank you for any contribution!

Size
Small
Age
Young · 3 years
Location
🇷🇴Romania
Shelter
Speranța Shelter Foundation
Living with Curcan
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
Cared for by Speranța Shelter Foundation · RomaniaLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 4 months ago

Bringing Curcan home

What you'll need for Curcan in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

    View on Amazon
    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

    View on Amazon
    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Curcan

What life with Curcan looks like

Curcan is a small young adult mixed breed dog waiting at Speranța Shelter Foundation in Romania.

An young adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. Two reasonable walks a day plus play time is usually enough. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇷🇴Adopting from Romania

Romanian rescues handle the highest volume of cross-border adoptions in the EU. Animals are quarantined and fully vetted before transport. Reputable rescues maintain detailed health records and post-adoption follow-up.

Romania, Romania browse more dogs in Romania.

Frequently asked

Adopting Curcan, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Curcan?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Speranța Shelter Foundation handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Curcan on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Curcan if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Speranța Shelter Foundation will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Curcan already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Curcan isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Speranța Shelter Foundation early rather than rehoming privately; they know Curcan and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (EN). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
You might also like

More Mixed Breed pets

Wafer,  6yo Mixed Breed for adoption at Agenzia Piazza Gatti

Wafer

Mixed Breed

6 yearsUnknown
Vincent e Teo,  7yo Mixed Breed for adoption at Agenzia Piazza Gatti

Vincent e Teo

Mixed Breed

7 yearsUnknown
Nero,  6yo Mixed Breed for adoption at Agenzia Piazza Gatti

Nero

Mixed Breed

6 yearsUnknown

More from Speranța Shelter Foundation

Sfaturi pentru proprietarii de câini din rase cu potențial agresiv, male Mixed Breed for adoption at Speranța Shelter Foundation

Sfaturi pentru proprietarii de câini din rase cu potențial agresiv

Mixed Breed

Male
Umple golul din viața ta, male Mixed Breed for adoption at Speranța Shelter Foundation

Umple golul din viața ta

Mixed Breed

Male
Trio,  3yo Mixed Breed for adoption at Speranța Shelter Foundation

Trio

Mixed Breed

3 yearsUnknown
Similar animals

More Mixed Breeds looking for a home

Allegra, female young Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Allegra

Mixed Breed · large

2 yearsFemale
Mahkari, female senior Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Mahkari

Mixed Breed · medium

9 yearsFemale
Kim, female 4yo Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Kim

Mixed Breed · large

4 yearsFemale
Delia, female young Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Delia

Mixed Breed

2 yearsFemale
Tharja, female young Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Tharja

Mixed Breed

2 yearsFemale
Sunny, female young Mixed Breed for adoption at Arme Hundeseelen, Năsăud

Sunny

Mixed Breed · medium

1 yearFemale

Spotted something wrong? Suggest a change →