Unusual breed rescue dogs have been overlooked for six months.
Rescue staff are hoping for a home for a Presa Canaria and a Sharpei who have been in rescue kennels for more than six months.
With the festive season just around the corner, two Shropshire dogs, who have spent more than half a year in kennels, are hoping to land themselves loving new homes in time for Christmas.
Striking Bagheera (pictured top) is a seven-year-old Presa Canaria and handsome Alan (pictured below) is a five-year-old male Shar-Pei crossbreed.
The pair were brought into RSPCA Gonsal Farm animal centre in Shrewsbury several months ago, with staff expecting the unusual breeds to be snapped up by adopters in no time, but sadly, neither dog has yet been chosen.
Rebecca Emeny, animal centre manager at RSPCA Gonsal Farm, said: “We really can’t understand why Bagheera or Alan have not been adopted, they are such super boys who will make wonderful companions for the right owners. They are both unusual breeds that we don’t regularly see in rescue care, both have great personalities and lots of love to give.
“There must be someone out there for each of the boys who can offer the perfect home, and we would absolutely love to hear from them as soon as possible. I’m certain once they meet these dogs, they will fall in love with them. It would be such a shame for Alan and Bagheera to spend Christmas in kennels - the whole team here would love nothing more than to see them with a new family in time for the festive season.”
Last year, the RSPCA rescued 58 dogs from abuse and neglect in Shropshire and received 9,813 calls to its 24-hour cruelty hotline about animals in the county.
Both Bagheera and Alan are looking for separate homes where they will be the only pet in the house.
Bagheera is a ‘gentle giant’ who loves being around people and enjoys curling up on his bed and being fussed, so he would thrive in a home where his adopter will be around for much of the day for company and fuss. He is a dog who will thrive most by building a strong bond, and preferably with someone who is familiar with larger breeds such as the Presa Canaria, as he can be strong and enthusiastic on the lead.
Alan is a well-behaved boy who likes to please, and walks nicely on the lead, but sadly, his loving personality doesn’t always shine through when people visit him at the animal centre. Staff have worked with Alan and get to see this affectionate boy’s true colours, and are hoping the right person will come along and give him a chance. Alan has responded really well to training and is a very intelligent dog who has been enjoying having a go at agility (video available) - he particularly loves to have his bum scratched and will happily stand for as long as you’ll fuss him! Alan needs an adopter who will carry on with his training and make the most of his intelligent nature and build up his confidence around other dogs, and we are sure he’ll make a wonderful companion.
Rebecca added: “All the animals in our care have a lot of love to give and we have a huge variety of dogs in our kennels waiting for homes, of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds, but we don’t see a large number of breeds like Bagheera and Alan. We rescue animals from the worst abuse and neglect and, by giving them a home, you are giving them a second chance at life. To offer an RSPCA rescue dog a new home please visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet to find your paw-fect match.”
The RSPCA expects to take in more than 10,000 vulnerable animals, like Bagheera and Alan, over the winter months, in desperate need of medicines, food, warmth and loving care.
RSPCA inspectors, animal welfare officers, and animal centre staff work 365 days a year to care for animals and Christmas is no exception.
On Christmas day in 2018 the charity received 934 calls to it’s cruelty line - the highest number for five years and a 28 percent increase compared with 2017.
Our Christmas campaign, Stock the Sleigh for the RSPCA, will help the charity to deliver vital, life-saving supplies to suffering animals who desperately need us. To help the RSPCA care for thousands of animals left out in the cold this Christmas www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website.