RSPCA launches urgent plea to re-home 'lovely' dog who has spent almost entire life in Herts kennels

The RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal to find an owner for a dog who has spent almost his entire in kennels in Hertfordshire.

Four-year-old Mia - a Dutch Shepherd, also known as a Dutch Herder, is currently being looked after at Southridge Animal Centre, in Hertfordshire.

She was rescued by RSPCA staff and taken into care in October 2019. She was just nine days old, and was found with her mum being kept in extremely poor conditions, the national welfare charity says.

Claire Hoffman, who looks after Mia, said: “Sadly, as Mia was just a tiny puppy when she came to us, she’s spent almost her entire life in kennels.”

She was not made available for rehoming until November 2022, she has now spent a total of four years and four months in RSPCA care.

She was initially in a foster home as a tiny puppy and also spent many months in kennels working with staff on a training plan, before beginning her search for a new home.

Since she first arrived at the RSPCA, the charity says 1,596 animals at Southridge have found new homes, including 400 dogs.

Claire added: “She had such a challenging start to life and, despite her early experience of awful living conditions, we’ve shown her as much love as we can and she’s grown into a really lovely dog. But living in kennels for such a long time is no life for a dog like her and we believe she may, sadly, be the RSPCA’s longest staying resident.

“What she really needs now is an owner who can give her the one-to-one time and attention she deserves, and can help her adapt to life in a home.”

The RSPCA says Mia is intelligent but can also get a bit over-excited at times. The charity adds that she is very loving and affectionate.

“She spent some time with a fosterer while her case was being investigated but then came back to us and has since spent almost three years in our kennels,” Claire added.