A Siberian husky, miniature pinscher and a cocker spaniel are among the dogs currently up for adoption at Dogs Trust Merseyside.
Animal welfare charities are warning of a "crisis" as owners abandon pets in rising numbers due to the rising cost of living placing pressure on rescue centres footing the bill. Just this week, the ECHO reported on a furless kitten in a freezer bag being thrown over the wall of County Cat Indoor Only Rescue and Sanctuary, in Walton, while the centre is "struggling to live week to week".
Last month, the RSPCA said it received nearly 600 reports of abandoned pets in Merseyside since January this year. To cope with the rising demand on their services, animal rescue charities need loving families to provide a home for the animals in their care. Dogs Trust Merseyside, based In Whiston Lane, Huyton, has 54 dogs in need of homes, including nine newly available.
READ MORE: Kitten with no fur thrown over wall in freezer bag
Manager of the animal welfare charity's Merseyside centre Georgina Lowery said: "Dogs find themselves with us for a variety of reasons such as illness in the family, a change in working hours or accommodation or someone having to move into a care facility.
"Whatever the reason, it is always heart-breaking for owners to have to hand over their dog. But we can guarantee they will get everything they need whilst they are with us whether that’s off site walks, additional snuggles, training, treats, toys or just sitting with a member of the team or a volunteer watching the world go by.
"We are really proud that we are here and able to take care of them until the time comes for them to head off to their new homes and enjoy adventures with their new families. Whether someone wants to welcome a young dog or an older dog into their life, or they are looking for a large or small four-legged friend, we would encourage everyone to think about adopting.
"We look after dogs until they find their forever homes, however long it takes, and we do become attached to them but we are never happier than when we see them happily heading home to enjoy life and great adventures with a loving family."
Ava
Ava the Siberian husky cross is "a comical two year-old who's "super friendly with everyone" and "explodes with joy" if you pat her. She needs to be the only dog at home but she can have outside friends. She's "strong on her lead though", and "can be intense" with other dogs, so "better make sure you've got a good grip".
She's clever and loves food which "is a great way to build on the basic training" she's had. She's OK to live with kids over the age of 10, but not cats or "small furries". Ava is house trained but she's not used to being left alone. It's essential to keep on top of her double coat even though she "isn't really a fan of being groomed".
Dogs Trust said: "Grooming sessions should be brief and always involve positive rewards and begradually increased as Ava becomes more comfortable. Ava's love of food does mean she has the potential to bin raid and her previous owners say she would often "food hunt"!"
Billy
Billy the crossbreed "has been rather sheltered from the outside world for the last year or so and has become a little worried by many things". He's looking for a family who'll be patient and won't leave him alone for more than a couple of hours. As he "can be reactive to other dogs", he'll need to be the only pet at home with only older teens and adults in the household.
He's "an inquisitive lad who likes to get out and explore". Billy also has "an affectionate side", happily standing while you groom him. Since being attacked by another dog in the past, Billy is "rather nervous and reactive when approached by other dogs" which his new family must be mindful of when walking him.
Dogs Trust said: "Billy needs to be introduced slowly to new people, and his new family will have to work to help him to build his confidence around strangers. Full support is given from our training team at the centre."
Bruno
"Big and bouncy" Bruno is "partial to a good snuggle and will sit on your feet so you have no choice but to fuss him". Although initially "a little frustrated" by the other dogs, the Siberian husky cross has "settled well into centre life" and "will now walk happily alongside them".
He's "enthusiastic to get out for walkies" and he's "strong on his lead", so his family needs "to be confident in handling a big dog with this strength and be willing to work on some loose lead walking and calm behaviours" while continuing his positive socialisation with other dogs. Bruno isn't house trained so he needs someone around most of the time to help with house training and to slowly build up his alone time.
Bruno could live with another "well matched" dog, but he must be kept separate when food is involved because "he will guard his food from them". Dogs Trust said: "As he is such a big lad, he would be best suited to a family with children over the age of 14. Bruno is not house trained."
Buddy
Buddy the "handsome" three-year-old is "looking for an active but specific home". The collie huntaway crossbreed has "quite an intense reaction towards motorbikes and quad bikes", so he'll need to be rehomed in a low traffic area, preferably in a family where he's the only dog.
He does like friends outside of the home and he can live with kids aged 16 and over. The house-trained dog can be left alone for a couple of hours once settled but he "has rather an odd fixation with lamp shades on side tables and ceiling pendant lights", getting "himself very worked up", so this will need to be carefully managed.
Buddy's ideal home set-up would be access to an outdoor area with slow introductions to indoors. Dogs Trust said: "He's very friendly but can be wary of some people, so his new family will need to allow him to approach people, rather than the other way around. "Buddy likes to play and his previous family said he would drag them towards people playing football in the park so watch out. He also really loves to swim and is as at home in a river as he is in the sea."
Cooper
"Silly" three-year-old Cooper is "a social butterfly" who "can be a little boisterous". He's often found dozing off in his kennel but "that quickly changes when he sees one of his carers heading his way for walkies", and he greets other dogs "in a friendly and excited manner".
The German shepherd can be "a little on the top with some dogs", so Dogs Trust believes he'd be best as the only dog in the home while meeting others out on walks. He can live with kids over the age of 12. The "big lad" can be quite strong on the lead so his family needs to be "quite confident" when handling him."
Although he can be "a little cautious about being handled", particularly when putting on his harness or visiting the vet, Cooper is "instantly friendly with everyone he meets". He "enjoys a lot of fuss and can curl his body in and lean against you while he is being stroked".
He also loves "tasty treats" and knows a few commands. Dogs Trust said: "Potential owners will need to be careful around his back legs as he does have some discomfort when having them touched."
Emmie
This "gorgeous" crossbreed "is sadly an unclaimed stray". Emmie is "a beautiful big and bouncy girl with lots of energy" who loves to play and explore new environments", pulling you over to sniff things "without warning". She "can be very boisterous and lacks impulse control or social skills, so there's definitely some training to be put in by her new family", who'll need to "feel confident at managing her on the lead".
Because she was a stray, Dogs Trust doesn't know how much experience she has around kids, so they believe any she lives with should be teenagers at least. Emmie will also need to be the only dog in the home because "she doesn't appear to be comfortable around dogs here at the centre".
Emmie loves attention, enjoys making new friends, and "is quite partial to a good fuss by anybody willing to give her the time". She's "just discovering toys and loves to chase after them or play tug with her carers". Dogs Trust said: "Unfortunately Emmie has some issues with her back legs that may require veterinary attention in the future but for now she doesn't let them bother her.
"She will need some physiotherapy and/or hydrotherapy to help her build up the muscles of her hind legs and help stabilise her hips. Any potential adopter will need to take into consideration these medical needs before applying for this gorgeous girl."
Lily
This "timid" eight-year-old spaniel is "such a sweet girl" who needs "a slow approach from a family who will help build her confidence". Lily is house-trained but she'll need a home where she's hardly left by herself. She can live with kids over the age of 12 as well as other dogs.
A "calm and gentle canine pal might be very beneficial for" her, and she should make some "well-mannered friends" outside the home if she's to be the only dog. She's used to regular trips to the groomer but she's "worried by more formal handling, such as the vets", tucking her tail and staying close to the floor. Lots of "gentle words of praise" should be used to help.
Dogs Trust said: "Lily's new family may find that it takes a little while for her to seek affection from them but kindness and patience will go a long way. A quiet family that enjoys long walks would be perfect for her."
Lola
Lola the labrador retriever "is a friendly gal who loves her walks but doesn't so much enjoy going back to her kennel", so she needs a family who'll "take her on lots of lovely long walks and adventures". She walks well with other dogs but she "gets a bit giddy when off lead and will bark and show her teeth".
Although she gets along with other dogs, Lola doesn't like sharing her space, so she'll need to be the only dog in the home, with friends for walks. The house-trained dog can be left alone for a few hours once settled in and she can live with children of high school age. She guarded a toy from a child who tried to take it from her in a previous home. Dogs Trust said: "Lola isn't thrilled about being formally handled and did take exception to the vet as she was very nervous and afraid."
Ninja
The "aptly named" Ninja is "quick as a whippet" and "a busy little man with people to see and things to sniff". He likes "a quick fuss" before "wandering off to do his own thing", loving his walks and adventures. The miniature pinscher is house-trained and can be left alone for a few hours once settled.
Ninja needs to be the only dog at home but "he might get along with a cat". He can live with children over the age of 10 and has been used to them visiting, "but he's an older boy who might like a quieter life now". Dogs Trust said: "He has guarded his food in the past though, so be mindful of this. Ninja has recently had surgery to remove a lump from his neck but he has been given the all clear by the vet since."
READ NEXT
