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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Tanya Waterworth

'Britain’s loneliest dog' may have found a home as RSPCA issues weather warning

Dubbed “Britain’s loneliest dog”, Charlie the beagle cross from may have found his forever home. The RSPCA has confirmed that while he has not yet been rehomed, there have been plenty of applications from potential adopters.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “The team will be working to try and find his perfect match. But if Charlie isn’t the right match for someone who is looking for a pet, there are more rescue animals looking for a home on our Find-A-Pet page.”

Charlie hit the headlines last week after it was reported that he had spent more than 500 days in kennels as he waited to find new owners. The nine-year old-dog, described as “shy but sweet and who loves snuggling up on the sofa”, has become a firm favourite at Brent Knoll RSPCA, south of Bristol, where he joins the team for tea in the morning.

Read next: How you can use the government's cold weather payment checker

The RSPCA has also put out an animal welfare warning as temperatures plunged this week bringing Arctic weather across the UK. With the Met Office issuing a number of yellow warnings, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy said: “It’s really important we help our animals friends get through the chilly weather and we’ve got lots of helpful advice and tips available for people to make sure their one pets and local wildlife are kept safe.

“Wild animals will be struggling in this icy weather, facing challenges such as dehydration, hunger and cold. But a few little changes to your every day routine can really make a difference to animals. For example, a little bit of extra food left out for a hungry bird may be the help it needs to last through a spate of frosty weather,” he said.

The RSPCA top tips include:

  • Keep a close eye on outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs and if the temperature drops below freezing, bring them inside, or if left outside provide lts of bedding to stay snug.
  • Ensure cats have access to the house or a warm, dry area such as a bar and that all bedding is away from draughts.
  • Antifreeze and rock salt are poisonous for pets, so keep any stored products out of their reach.
  • If your pet gets cold or wet, rub the dry with a towel and make sure they have warm bedding.
  • Sick or elderly dogs may need a special coat or jumper.
  • Keep your dog away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers and make sure their paws don’t get impacted with snow.
  • Pet birds in aviaries will need plenty of dry warm bedding such as straw and covered enclosures which keep the wind and rain out. Birds always need more food in the cold, so make sure they have access to plenty of food and fresh water.
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