BRITAIN may be a nation of dog lovers but tens of thousands are abandoned, lost and abused each year and need to be rehomed.
If you’re thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider the animals desperately in need at your local animal shelter first - some have been waiting years for a new home.
This week, The Sun is teaming up with the RSPCA to find new homes for the dogs currently in its care by profiling 11 animals looking for new owners across England and Wales.
Today, we introduce you to the first six – and one has been looking for a new home for four years.
The charity currently has 3,000 dogs in its care at animal centres that cost an average of £500,000 each to run every year.
Last year, the RSPCA rehomed 8,893 dogs, who were rescued from sorry, sometimes horrific, situations.
It nurses them back to health and tries to find them somewhere safe to live.
The government is, at least, acting to reduce one major cause of animals needing to be rehomed.
The lucrative puppy and kitten trade results in dogs and cats being bred for sale and frequently discarded after Christmas or after a fashion fad for a so-called "designer dog" passes.
But from October, much more stringent rules for breeders and sellers come into force, which should reduce the number of animals abandoned.
However, the RSPCA needs to find new homes for the dogs in its care right now.
Here are six of the many all waiting to be given a second chance in life – a chance they'll seize with both paws if you can help them.
Name: Patch
Breed: American Bulldog
Age: 2
Homeless for: 3 months
RSPCA Centre: Southport, 01704 567624
Poor Patch, an American bulldog, was abandoned by an owner who was previously banned from keeping pets because of animal cruelty. He has been at RSPCA kennels for three months.
Weighing in at almost eight stone and standing over a metre tall, Patch may be the size of a Shetland pony but he's the ultimate softie.
He craves tender love and care and he lives for fuss and to be spoiled, say the staff at the Southport animal centre he currently calls home.
He is best suited to living in an adult-only house without other pets because he needs to be the centre of attention.
And he will need a big garden or live near some outdoor space to run around.
Come to think of it, he’ll need a pretty big bed too.
American Bulldogs are stocky yet agile and typically need a lot of exercise so he'll suit active owners.
For more info about rehoming Patch, click here.
Name: Billy
Breed: Kelpie
Age: 7
Homeless for: 4 years
RSPCA Centre: South Godstone, Surrey, 0300 123 0741
The RSPCA rescued Billy and a number of other dogs in February 2014. He had been kept in a small cage stacked up with other dogs in a warehouse.
He spent two years in boarding kennels while the case when through the courts and then moved to the RSPCA centre.
Billy has a degenerative condition affecting his sight and leaving him almost completely blind. He needs owners who can help him adapt to his new surroundings.
He has been learning directional commands and copes well with his deteriorating vision - he still loves a game of fetch and will use his sense of smell to sniff out the ball.
Billy would like an active home in a rural area where he can spend lots of time with his owners.
Kelpies are highly intelligent and need plenty of activities to keep their clever minds occupied.
Name: Jagger
Breed: Doberman
Age: 5
Homeless for: 5 months
RSPCA Centre: Danaher, Essex, 01371 851201
Jagger came into the RSPCA care five months ago with a large tumour on his foot, which happily vets were able to remove.
He’s fully recovered from months of healing and physiotherapy, and back to his usual self - loving to bound around outside.
Like most Dobermen, he’s intelligent and likes learning new things. He’d benefit from training to build his confidence because he gets a bit scared around cars and traffic.
Weighing in around around six-and-a-half stone and standing just over a metre tall, Dobermen need at least an hour of exercise daily to all expel their energy.
Jagger is a big softie and loves his toys so much that he likes to carry them in his mouth for his whole walk but he's less keen on cats.
Name: Jack
Breed: Pug
Age: 1
Homeless for: 2 months
RSPCA Centre: Martlesham, Suffolk, 0300 999 7321
Jack's owners could no longer keep him and has been in RSPCA care for two months.
He loves squeaky toys, if he hears a ‘squeak’ he’ll come running.
He adores people and has been known to man the reception desk at the centre where he enjoys greeting visitors.
The staff who look after him all says he’s a real sweetheart who would like an attentive owner who can work with him on basic training and teach him it’s ok to be left alone.
Pugs are a small, quiet breed that are relatively inactive when indoors.
Though playful and rambunctious, they don't need a lot of space - an excellent choice for families with small homes.
Three expert tips for choosing the right dog
We asked RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Hens for her advice for choosing the right dog and settling them into your home. You can also listen to what she has to say in the video.
1. How to choose the right dog
Every dog and every family is different. You might have an idea of which dog you want but speak to them and the RSPCA's friendly and informative staff will help you find the best match based on your family, lifestyle and living space.
2. Settling in
Just like us, dogs can get scared or worried sometimes, especially in an unfamiliar new environment.
Designate a ‘safe haven’ space in your house with a comfy bed so they can go to rest if things get too much without being disturbed.
If they had a favourite toy or blanket at the RSPCA centre, put that in there so they have at least one thing that smells familiar.
Establishing a routine is key. Walks, feeding and bedtimes should be around the same time each day so they will know what to expect and build a trusting relationship with you.
Take your time. Going from an RSPCA kennel to a new home can be overwhelming so just be patient, let them settle into the new home first and get to know you and the immediate family. Then gradually introduce them to new people and environments.
3. Keep them happy and healthy
Dogs are intelligent and inquisitive so along with lots of exercise they’ll need toys and training activities to keep them entertained.
They communicate through body language so owners need to learn to recognise what their signals mean so you can protect them from things that make them anxious or sad.
Follow these tips and you'll enjoy life with your new rescue dog and know that you’re giving a dog that may never have had a happy home a second chance at a happy life.
Name: Bollo
Breed: Japanese Akita
Homeless for: 7
Age: 7 months
RSPCA Centre: Halifax, West Yorkshire, 01422 365628
Bollo's previous owner became homeless and could no longer care for him properly.
He has been in RSPCA care for seven months, having arrived at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Animal Centre, in West Yorkshire, late last year.
Bollo is a laid-back dog who loves spending time with people.
He spends his mornings out walking with the animal centre volunteers and his afternoons with the rehoming co-ordinator in her office.
He loves sleeping under the desk and enjoys saying "hello" to visitors.
He also enjoys spending time learning new commands and loves playing with toys, whether it’s chasing balls or chewing toys.
He’s a gentle giant who would love to find a home to call his own.
Japanese Akitas are large, handsome dogs who need plenty of space and exercise.
It’s recommended that they get at least two hours of activity every day. They are likely to love playing in the garden throughout the day too.
Name: Harley
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Age: 7
Homeless for: 4 months
RSPCA Centre: Millbrook, Surrey, 0300 123 0740
Harley was given to the RSPCA in February when his owners could no longer care for him properly.
He is a happy chappy with a dazzling Staffie smile.
He’s extremely affectionate and loves nothing more than a cuddle.
How to adopt a rescue dog from the RSPCA
If our rescue dogs have melted your heart, here's how you can adopt one.
There will be an adoption fee to pay that goes towards helping the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming more dogs.
These fees vary by centre from around £135 for adult dogs to £200 for puppies under six months.
All RSPCA dogs are spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. And they come with free MORE TH>N pet insurance for the first six weeks.
While he loves people, he’s a little unsure around other dogs so staff have been working hard to socialise him and would like his new owners to continue positive interactions with friendly dogs.
He’d love a big garden to run and play in, and a cosy sofa to curl up on at night.
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