Our Team
RACE was formed by Sue Allery and Elena Popa in December 2017 to rehome the many dogs in need of rescue from the streets of Romania into caring, forever homes.
We are great believers in responsible rehoming and take every care to ensure that we match each dog and adoptive family successfully.
The majority of our dogs are rescued from the streets, public shelters and government kill shelters by our frontline rescuer, Elena Popa, and taken into care at her family home just outside of Brasov, in the beautiful mountain area of Transylvania. In this way, the dogs are properly socialised and get hands on care by Elena and her family. All RACE dogs and puppies are therefore fully and properly assessed, insofar as we are able, before being rehomed.
If we feel that any of our dogs are not suitable for adoption, such as temperament or health related issues, we will not rehome them under any circumstances. They will stay with Elena at her home for the rest of their days. It is for these dogs that you will see our appeals for sponsors.
Elena has rescued street dogs for many, many years, having also worked in public shelters in the past. She has a wealth of knowledge and her assessments are always so accurate.
Sue was a Trustee of a horse rescue and rehabilitation charity in the UK for 32 years, ending up as Chairman and Manager for the last 20 years of her time there. She adopted her very first Romanian dog, Lola, back in early 2016 via Elena and their friendship grew from there. She has since gained another four Romanian rescue dogs and wouldn’t be without them.
Elena and her husband Nelu are the face behind the scenes, doing the actual rescue work. This is just a part of the important work they do, which includes socialising the dogs, winning their trust, nursing them, vet trips, collecting rescues and any other tasks are all part of a rescue and rehoming operation.
Earlier in 2025, Sabrina Schulz joined us as Marketing Manager. Sabrina has a RACE dog that joined her some five years ago in the form of Milo. Thanks to Milo she has been involved with a canine care service in the UK and has gained a number of canine related qualifications to be able to assist our dogs in the best possible way.
We have Margie Allen, our Fundraising Liaison, who also attends local events with the RACE stall, does car boot sales to spread the word. Margie is also behind the creation of our Romanian bracelets - all to raise vital funds for our rescue dogs.