RSPCA urging people in Kent to adopt big dogs
The animal charity now has record numbers in its care
The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting larger dogs this Adoptober as the charity is struggling with record numbers of dogs in its care - with a number of desperately lonely dogs waiting to find a home at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre.
New data from the charity reveals that it can take up to seven times longer for some larger dog breeds to find a new home compared to smaller dogs.
This summer the charity reached a crisis point with record numbers of rescued dogs in their care - most in private kennels as national centres were too full to take them.
To ease the pressure, the RSPCA is issuing an urgent plea for adopters to consider harder to rehome and large breed dogs including Huskies (Siberian) Elsa and Arna and American Akita Mia who are all at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre near West Malling.
Elsa and Arna arrived in RSPCA care back in February but came to Leybourne in July and have been looking for a home since August. Mia has been in RSPCA care since January and has been looking for a home at Leybourne since the end of March.
Huskies and Akitas both feature in the top 20 breeds of dogs which wait longest to find a home.
RSPCA pet behaviour expert Dr Sam Gaines said: “We urgently need homes for big dogs, who can wait seven times longer than smaller dogs to find their forever home.
“We are in an unprecedented rehoming crisis as several large-scale cruelty and neglect cases have led to record numbers of dogs and cats in our care and are at risk of running out of space. We desperately need adopters now more than ever, so we can continue to rescue and care for the animals who need us.
“It’s the perfect storm with dogs rescued from cruelty and neglect needing longer to recover and needing more specialist homes, and at the same time, rehoming has slowed right across the welfare sector.”
Research from the RSPCA found that while the average time for all breeds of dogs between being ready to rehome and then finding a loving forever family is 41 days, but larger breeds of dogs can wait much longer.
These figures are in stark contrast to the short time smaller dog breeds had to wait before finding their forever home. The average length of stay for Yorkshire terriers was just seven days, for chihuahuas, it was 12 days, and cocker spaniels 16 days.
Big dogs looking for homes at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre
Nine-year-old Elsa arrived in RSPCA care in a severely emaciated state and has since made remarkable progress.
Kennel Supervisor at Leybourne Laura Bowbrick said: “Elsa has come on so well in our care and will be a wonderful addition as a cherished family pet.
“We are looking for an owner who has commitment, understanding, and patience who will give Elsa the love and attention she truly deserves. We very much hope that Adoptober will be the month for her to find her forever home.”
Elsa has come on leaps and bounds with us at the centre and each day we are seeing more of her kind and fun nature.
Arna is an eight-year-old Husky who was also severely emaciated when she arrived in RSPCA care - but has also made and has made the most amazing progress.
“Arna was initially shy of new situations and people however has been building her confidence and loves venturing out for walks and exploring new places with the kennel team,” said Laura.
Arna is looking for a large enclosed garden, an adult only home with no cats and to be the only dog.
Four-year-old American Akita Mia is a super sweet, bouncy girl who desperately wants to get out of a kennel and into the comfort of a new-found home.
“Mia has had a lot of training for lead walking, basic commands and how to greet other dogs politely and she has responded amazingly,” said Laura.
“Her new home will need to continue this training in future to ensure she gets the best out of life. Mia will need plenty of exercise, her home will need; a large-fenced garden for her to roam around in while she is at home and an active owner to take her out on nice long walks.”
To find out more about Elsa, Arna and Mia please contact the centre or fill out an online application form.