RSPCA staff are completely baffled as to why two ‘lovely’ lurchers have been at their centre for a combined total of more than 1,800 days – almost five years.
Five-year-old Alvin (pictured above) was rescued by the RSPCA in May 2022 from the West Midlands. He was suffering from untreated injuries caused by hunting which his owner had failed to get veterinary treatment for.
He’s been at the RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton & St Helens Animal Centre, in Cheshire, branch ever since – that’s 925 days (as of 24 October) or two-and-a-half years – but only went up for adoption in February after his former owner was dealt with in court and signed him over for rehoming.
Six-year-old Victor joined him at the centre after he was rescued by RSPCA officers. He’s now been waiting patiently for his forever home for 883 days (as of 24 October), well over two years.
RSPCA Warrington Animal Care Manager Katie Buckley said she simply can’t understand why the ‘loveable’ dogs haven’t had any real interest from adopters. She said they’ve been the ‘hardest ever’ dogs to rehome in her seven-year career – despite both being friendly and fun-loving.
Katie describes Alvin as an ‘adorable couch potato’ who is very relaxed and laid-back, while she says Victor loves nothing more than to ‘snuggle in’ for a cuddle.
She added: “Alvin is such a sweet, gentle lad who is very chilled out and loves to snooze on the sofa – although he doesn’t leave much room for you next to him because his long legs stretch out across all the cushions!
“He does also enjoy getting out and about to explore, and adores the company of people so he’d really love a family to call his own. When we bring him his dinner or a yummy chew to enjoy in his kennel he gets so excited and does a little tap dance, it’s so cute!
“We cannot understand why he hasn’t been snapped up – he’s the longest staying lurcher I’ve ever had here and yet he’d make such a wonderful pet. We just need someone to give him a chance.”
Speaking about Victor, Katie added: “Victor often stands at his door watching as we take his friends and neighbours off to their new homes; it’s heartbreaking that time and time again he is being overlooked. He turns around when he realises he hasn’t been chosen and goes back to his bed with his head down.
“He’s so cuddly and loves being fussed. He’s quite happy to sit beside you in the grass and watch the world go by, and he absolutely loves going out in the car so he can have the window down and feel the breeze through his ears.
“He’s a chatty boy and likes to have a conversation with us when we’re spending time with us; he’ll even bark if you ask him to ‘speak’. He’s such a clever lad!’
Find each other
Both Alvin and Victor are looking for owners with previous experience with lurchers. They both love to chase so can’t live with cats or other small furry pets, and they’ve not had much exposure to children for a long time so staff feel they’d be best going to homes without any small children.
The urgent appeal to find Alvin and Victor new homes comes as the RSPCA reveals it is facing a rehoming crisis across England and Wales. New figures show that in 2023, 42% more animals arrived at the RSPCA than were adopted.
Rehoming centres across England and Wales are at near or full capacity, with pets either waiting to be adopted, or being assessed for adoption – leaving countless dogs, cats and other animals still in emergency boarding waiting for a place at a rehoming centre.
In response, the RSPCA – which is marking its 200th year – is launching its annual ‘Adoptober’ rehoming campaign; urging animal lovers to adopt a pet from a rescue centre or RSPCA branch rather than buying from a breeder to help ease the spiralling rehoming crisis.
Last year, while the RSPCA’s 14 rehoming centres and 135 independently-run branches found new homes for an incredible 28,208 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, that was far fewer than the 40,118 animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales.
And many animals are staying in its rescue centres for longer while staff try to find them the right homes; like Alvin and Victor.
