Undercover Investigation into Romania's Public Dog Shelters Generates Global Media Attention

‍Tracks Investigations has completed a nationwide undercover investigation into Romania's publicly funded dog shelters on behalf of Four Paws International, helping bring international attention to the country's shelter system and generating more than 70 news reports across 17 countries following its release.

The project extended well beyond undercover fieldwork. Alongside visits to nine municipal shelters, our investigators carried out extensive open-source intelligence (OSINT) and documentary research, analysing public funding, procurement records, Freedom of Information requests and shelter datasets to build a comprehensive picture of how Romania's public shelter system operates.

This combination of undercover evidence and in-depth research uncovered widespread neglect, serious animal welfare concerns and significant questions about the management of publicly funded shelters. Investigators documented dogs living amongst faeces, untreated injuries, frozen or empty water bowls during sub-zero temperatures, severe undernourishment and exceptionally high mortality rates.

Following publication, the investigation was distributed internationally by the Associated Press and featured by leading news organisations including The Washington Post, The Independent and the Toronto Star. The extensive media coverage significantly amplified Four Paws' campaign, bringing global attention to conditions inside Romania's public dog shelters and increasing pressure for greater transparency and accountability within the country's shelter system.

The project demonstrates how independent investigations can strengthen advocacy campaigns. By combining undercover investigations with OSINT, financial analysis and documentary research, Tracks Investigations helped provide Four Paws with a robust body of evidence capable of informing public debate, supporting calls for humane Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) programmes and driving meaningful reform of Romania's public dog shelter system.