Dogs Trust Leeds is appealing for a home for their oldest resident who is 15 years old.
Taking the accolade is old age pooch (OAP) Kengo, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, who is not only the most mature dog at the Leeds-based rehoming centre; he is also the oldest dog across all Dogs Trust rehoming centres looking for his fur-ever home.
Kengo originally found himself under the care of Dogs Trust in 2018 when he was found as a stray. He was happily re-homed but found himself back in the care of the Leeds team when his owner sadly passed away in 2021. He was adopted once more, but when his owner’s circumstances changed and could no long care for him, he came back to the rehoming centre for a third time in April and has his paws crossed he’ll find a forever home soon.
Kengo is well above the age of four – the average age of a Dogs Trust dog – and is well and truly into his retirement years. But staff say he still has a lot of love to give and a spring in his step and they are all hoping he finds a loving retirement home to put his paws up and relax in his twilight years.
Whilst he is currently enjoying lots of fuss and attention from his carers who adore him, nothing would compare to finding a loving home of his own.
Amanda Sands, Manager at Dogs Trust Leeds, says: “It’s especially sad when older dogs come to us through no fault of their own but Kengo is getting lots of TLC here at the rehoming centre and we’re really hoping somebody will open their home and heart to this mature chap really soon. There are so many advantages to owning an older dog and they make great companions.
“Kengo is a fun lad looking for a quiet home life and a human companion to relax with. Despite his age and having age-related arthritis, he still really enjoys his walks and playing in the garden. He could live with children over the age of twelve but would prefer to be the only pet in his new home as he tends to prefer human company. Kengo is a wonderful chap, and we would like to hear from potential new owners who can offer him a cosy bed where he can put his paws up and enjoy his later life.”
The rehoming centre is keen to encourage people to consider the advantages of owning an older dog which include:
- They need less exercise but are still just as fun!
- They are used to living in a home so come house-trained and are not as destructive as a puppy.
- Their personality is already shaped so new owners can really understand and appreciate the dog they are welcoming into their family.
Dogs Trust has lots of information and support available for anyone thinking of adopting an older dog at http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads.
If you can offer Kengo the loving home he deserves, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming to start the rehoming process.
