Adopt Any Breed of Dog You Like (as long as it’s a GSD or Staffie!)

An RSPCA Branch is giving the public the choice of any breed of dog they like  – just as long as it’s a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or a German Shepherd!

The RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston and District Branch has recently been inundated with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and German Shepherds – which are all now looking for new homes.

The Branch currently has five Staffies and six German Shepherds, which are looking for new homes –many of whom came into RSPCA care this month alone.

Branch spokesman, Liz Sheppee said: “We are in a rather unusual situation at the moment as most of the dogs we have looking for homes are either Staffies of German Shepherds.

“So if you are a Staffie or Shepherd lover, or want to learn more about what these dogs have to offer, with a view to rehoming a dog, you will be spoilt for choice if you come to us.”

Many of these dogs have come into the care of the RSPCA, as unwanted, in the run up to Christmas. The branch is expecting to be under increasing pressure to take in more dogs in the next few weeks.

Liz said: “These dogs are being signed over as unwanted through no fault of their own. Although larger breeds of dogs like these are not suitable for everyone, they can be great family pets provided they are taken on by owners who have the time, space and commitment to care for them properly.

“The problem we are finding is that many people take on larger dogs such as these as a status symbol. But having got them as a puppy, they don’t devote the necessary time to socialising, training and exercising them. Then they wonder why, when the dogs get to about a year old, they have the equivalent of a unruly and boisterous teenager, with lots of pent up energy,” said Liz.

“It is usually at that stage that the dog is brought to us as being unwanted and the RSPCA branch must put in a huge amount of work and money to get these dogs ready for a new home.”

Now the RSPCA branch is reaching crisis point as it struggles to find homes for all the dogs in its care.

Liz said: “The branch really is under a huge strain to cope with the number of unwanted large dogs that are being brought into us, and we really need to find homes for the ones we have in our care – in order to be able to help others waiting to come to us.”

Dogs currently looking for homes include a friendly and well trained eight-month-old Staffie called Marley and lively one year old German Shepherd, Tyson.

Others range in age from four months to five years.

Liz said: “We have some lovely dogs, and they really deserve new homes with owners that recognise the commitment required but also the joy of having a big bouncy dog.”

Anyone interested in offering a home to a dog should contact the RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor. Kingston and District Branch on 01895 833417.

People who are unable to offer a suitable home to a dog but would like to help in other ways and encouraged to make a donation to the branch.