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RSPCA plea as dog reaches 1,000 days in care
Sarah spent much of her early life shut in a kennel but has since grown in confidence.
Sarah, a three-year-old lurcher, arrived at the RSPCA in March 2021.

The RSPCA has launched a fresh appeal to find a home for a three-year-old lurcher which has now been in its care for over 1,000 days.

Sarah was first brought into the RSPCA’s care, alongside other dogs in the same case, in March 2021. In November 2021, she was transferred to RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre in Cambridgeshire.

Due to court proceedings related to the case, Sarah only became available for rehoming in December 2022. However, despite other dogs in the case being rehomed, Sarah is still waiting for a permanent home.

On two occasions, Sarah has been close to finding a new home. RSPCA staff even prepared a banner with the word ‘reserved’ to celebrate.

However, through no fault of Sarah’s, they both fell through at the last minute.

Tiffany Saunders, RSPCA supervisor, said: “We were all just gutted when Sarah’s latest new home fell through.

“She was so very close - we understand completely why they had to change their minds - but it just left us all feeling so disheartened because we really thought this time she had got her own happy ever after.”

When Sarah was rescued, she had spent much of her life shut away in a kennel. She had never been trained to walk on a lead and had to be carried out of the place she was rescued from.

Since then, she has grown in confidence, and enjoys running around the centre’s exercise paddock. She has even been reassuring new dogs at the centre, comforting them in the kennels and sharing her toys with them.

Recently, for her first big day out, Sarah enjoyed a successful charity sight hound walk.

Due to her early life experiences, Sarah may find settling into a new home and new situations overwhelming at first. She would also need further training for day-to-day commands and when out on walks.

Ms Saunders said: “We hope, seeing how long Sarah has been waiting for her own family, someone out there will come forward.”

If you are interested in adopting Sarah, or one of the RSPCA's other dogs, visit its website.

Image © the RSPCA

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.