AN ABANDONED dog has found a loving new home in Hampshire after a pet company donated £500 to save him.

Loveable German shepherd Jerry has been given a second chance after Petplan bosses donated the money to bring him to the UK.

The pup was discovered after being abandoned at just four-weeks-old in Romania, starving and distressed.

He was rescued by a group of volunteers in Romania and he has now been helped by a Petplan scheme which randomly selects one of its registered animal charities across the UK in a prize draw to receive a cheque to put towards helping the animals in their care.

The insurance company donated the money to ARK Rescue, which operates across Hampshire and Surrey, to help them bring Jerry to the UK where a couple of foster parents were waiting to take him in.

The organisation has no kennel facilities, only a network of committed foster carers, and when they heard about Jerry’s story over social media wanted to do something to help.

ARK got involved after the Romanian volunteers contacted founder Tania Harding, having previously been in touch with her about rehoming other dogs.

They sent Tania a picture of Jerry, who then put out an appeal on Facebook looking for a foster carer, but they needed a donation to help pay to get Jerry back.

That’s where Petplan came in, offering to use their scheme to help ARK rescue the young pup and find him a loving home in the UK.

Founder of ARK Tania Harding said: “The dogs who come to us always have a lifeless look in their eyes.

"When they’re fostered, and then adopted, suddenly you can see a sparkle.

"When you see that smile in their eyes it is the most amazing feeling.”

Petplan’s head of marketing Isabella von Mesterhazy said: “At Petplan we work with over 1,200 animal charities, more than any other pet insurer.

"We understand the challenges animal welfare organisations face and provide four weeks’ free insurance to anyone rehoming a pet from one of our animal charities.

“Pet insurance can help pet owners cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment and provides reassurance for adopters during those precious first weeks while an adopted animal settles into its new home.

"It also offers peace of mind for charities as uninsured animals are more likely to be returned to the rehoming centre if they are ill or injured.

"Having your pet insured is an important part of taking care of its future health.”

Jerry will now stay with his foster carers until he has built up his strength to move on to a permanent home.

To find out more about ARK Rescue, visit their Facebook page.