Sister dogs who were abandoned outside an RSPCA rescue centre are looking for new homes and fresh start
Husky crossbreed sisters, Ava and Narla, were brought into the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre, in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, on 10 November 2023 after being found abandoned outside the shelter’s gates.
Southridge Behaviour and Welfare Advisor Claire Hoffman said: “A man came into the centre and said he’d found both dogs running around in the lane just outside our gates. They were underweight and had no microchip or collar tags on.”
Staff quickly spotted that Narla was missing her front left paw so took the dogs in to check she hadn’t suffered any cruelty or deliberate injury.
Claire added: “We had vets look at Narla’s leg and we don’t believe she lost her paw in any traumatic incident or due to injury, rather that she was born without it.
“She copes really well without her paw – she’s so fast and zooms around our off-lead paddock. She runs, jumps and plays as if she has all four paws!”
The dogs, now aged approximately 18 months, spent some time at the centre while staff contacted the dog warden and tried to find their owner before preparing them for rehoming.
Claire added: “The RSPCA prioritises rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect so we’d urge anyone who finds a stray, loose or abandoned dog to contact their local dog warden who is responsible for helping dogs in need.
“On this occasion we had space in our kennels and we were concerned about Narla’s leg and the dogs’ welfare, so we took them in but unfortunately we don’t normally have the resources to help with stray or abandoned dogs as our teams are so busy rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect.”
Now the team at Southridge is desperate to find Ava and Narla loving new homes separately so they have space in their kennels to help more dogs in need of help.
Ava
Ava is a loving, affectionate girl whose favourite thing is being fussed and stroked – and she even loves having her coat brushed.
Claire said: “Ava has boundless energy and really enjoys running around and playing games in our off-lead area. She’d love to have a big garden where she can play with a ball and snooze in the sunshine.
“She’s very bright so her new owners will need to keep her stimulated and entertained, but she’s happy being left home alone for short periods and loves learning new tricks and commands.”
Find out more about Ava online.
Narla
Narla is a sweet, friendly dog who absolutely loves spending time with the staff and volunteers. She enjoys being stroked and brushed, and is happy being left alone for short periods.
Claire said: “Narla has such a lovely nature and would make a wonderful companion for the right people. She’d thrive in a loving, active home where she can enjoy running and playing in her own, secure garden – and don’t be fooled, her missing paw certainly doesn’t slow her down!
“She’s a clever cookie and quickly mastered how to sit, so would love to learn more tricks. She can be bouncy and excitable at times so we feel she’d be best in a home without young children and where she’ll be the only pet.”
Find out more about Narla online.
