French bulldogs, a Siberian husky and a cairn terrier are among the dogs currently up for adoption at Dogs Trust Merseyside.
Rising numbers of animals are abandoned by their owners as people return to workplaces and the cost of living rises. On average, four animals are abandoned every hour throughout the country, according to the RSPCA. The animal welfare charity said it's received nearly 600 reports of abandoned pets in Merseyside since January this year. Garston Animal Rescue told the ECHO someone even "dumped a dying kitten on the doorstep in a carrier bag".
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. Among the pets up for adoption at Dogs Trust Merseyside, based on Whiston Lane in Huyton, are dogs whose owners have died or are too sick to care for them, and strays rescued and brought to the centre.
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In just the last month, nine more dogs at the centre have been put up for adoption, bringing the total currently available to 40. Georgina Lowery, manager of the animal welfare charity's Merseyside centre, 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."
Angel
This "shy" and "nervous" American bulldog "is always excited to see you" once she knows you. Dogs Trust advised using "tasty treats" to build that bond, saying, "once you have that trust you will have a friend for life". Angel "isn't too interested in toys", but the charity hopes she'll "warm up to them and become a more playful girl" once she's "settled into the right home".
Dogs Trust recommends meeting the "very loving girl" a few times to build a before taking her home, particularly for men, as she "can be wary" around them. The charity said: "We would recommend slow introductions where she can flourish in her own time and become more confident in herself."
Angel enjoys walks around the centre, but "she's rather ploddy and will make frequent stops, so don't take her anywhere you need to be in a hurry". Although she'll walk alongside other dogs, Angel "doesn't appreciate much interaction with them" and would be best off being the only dog in the house.
The housetrained dog could live with kids aged 16 and over, and she can be left alone for a couple of hours during the day once she's settled in. Angel has had "a few small tumours removed" while she's been with Dogs Trust, so there is "a possibility that one or two more might pop up in the future".
Archie
Archie arrived at Dogs Trust after losing "his owner and best friend of the last six years". Feeling "a little confused about where he finds himself", the French bulldog spends lot of time in his bed, "but he does like to have visitors, especially those that bring titbits".
Like many dogs, the "easily startled" Archie doesn't like being approached while he's sleeping. He also guards new toys, "but when he brings it to you to play with then you should be good". Because of that, and his tendency to try mounting other dogs, Archie would be best off being the only dog at home.
He is friendly with other dogs, so can have friends outside. He likes taking things slowly so he can engage in "maximum sniffing" when out for walks, so "you won't get anywhere fast with him". The housetrained French bulldog can be left alone for a couple of hours once settled into an adult-only environment.
Archie recently had an eye problem and refused to let a vet near him for a while, but he's become "more accepting" of his carers "cleaning his eyes and administering his medication". Dogs Trust said: It's likely that Archie will need lubrication in his eyes for the rest of his life, as he does suffer with "dry eye". He is rather delicate around his tummy and groin area and doesn't like it to be touched."
Coco
This "friendly" four-year-old French bulldog "loves to jump into your lap for a fuss and will sit there for as long as you let her". Coco likes playing with toys, running after them and getting "very excited" if you throw one, but then she "backs away as if she hasn't a clue". She'd love a family to "show her how much fun toys and playtime can be".
Coco is noise sensitive and "can be very wary of men", so she needs an adult-only home in a quiet area with at least one female member of the family. There'll also need to be a way of separating her when food is being prepared because she "showed some resource guarding behaviours around dropped food" in her previous home.
Although she is comfortable around dogs nearby, "she doesn't appreciate any interaction with them", according to Dogs Trust, which said: "She prefers her own company and has fought with another dog in the home before, so will need to be the only pet. Coco is house trained but she isn't used to being left by herself."
Danza
Danza and her mum Millie arrived at Dogs Trust in a "poor state" due to their owner's ill health. The seven-year-old German shepherd is active and often "has her nose to the ground as she explores her environment". She "enjoys being made a fuss of", but she was lacking attention before coming to the centre.
She dog needs a family who can give her some "TLC" in a home with kids of secondary school age and no other dogs. Despite arriving with her mum, Dogs Trust has split the two as "they were no longer getting along". Danza "will walk with some other dogs outside but seems much happier having her own space". Dogs Trust said: "She knows a few commands such as sit and down, but her old lady Shepherd hips can't cope with too much."
Korry
Korry "can often be found watching the world go by from his bed" now he's settled into Dogs Trust. The "friendly boy" seems "very happy", greeting his carers "very enthusiastically" each morning. He's not "traditionally overly affectionate", but he will lean into you when he needs attention.
The lurcher will walk with calm dogs, but he "chooses not to interact and becomes somewhat tense". His new family finding him a "regular walking pal" could help him relax around other dogs. Not keen on "being leapt on by anything young and enthusiastic", Korry needs to be the only dog at home, but he "should be fine to live with children of high school age".
Lavender
Lavender "hasn't had the best start to life, but her future is much brighter now that she's safe with Dogs Trust". The "very friendly" Siberian husky has "the most expressive big ears, and seems very confident". She has lots of energy and loves exploring, so an active family who goes on "lots of adventures" would be a good match.
She's "very excited" at the prospect of walks, and she's strong on her lead, so it's best if Lavender is walked by older family members. Lavender needs a home with no other pets and with kids over the age of 10. She loves meeting other dogs, "but she is incredibly over the top and lacks social skills". Dogs Trust said: "There's every reason to believe she could live with another dog in the future, but just now she's a little intense when mixing and a lot of the dogs are objecting to it."
Oreo
This "very curious and friendly" lurcher is "something of a smart cookie too". Oreo "attended training classes and knows some basic commands, and would love a family who will continue to work on learning new things". He's very energetic and loves car adventures, leaping "excitedly" into the boot.
He gets along with other dogs, but he's "not quite ready to live with one", so he'd be best as the only dog in the house. Dogs Trust said he "has the potential to live with another dog in the future if he practices calm introductions to others"
Oreo is "super sweet and friendly with everyone he meets", but is "very boisterous" off lead, which can has the chance to escalate until he learns "a few more good manners". It's best to lead older family members walk him because he can be strong on his lead.
Dogs Trust said: "He is house trained but needs someone at home with him as he can be destructive if left for too long. He's a little over a year old and his time alone can be gradually built up by his new family. Oreo should be fine to live with children over the age of 10."
Phoebe
Phoebe, a "shy and nervous" crossbreed", has "been on rather a rollercoaster recently and has been overwhelmed", but she's getting used to her carers and is "becoming much more settled with familiar people". She likes exploring quieter areas of the centre, and she becomes playful with someone she knows well, liking a game of tug of war.
She'd be best off as the only dog at home as she "seems unsure what to do" when meeting other dogs, despite showing "some interest" in them. She's "much happier to have an introductory sniff and say hello" when with a familiar handler.
The housetrained dog needs a "steady family" to take their time with her. Dogs Trust said: "She can be worried by traffic so a quieter area would suit her more. She doesn't have a lot of experience with youngsters but we think she'd be fine with understanding children aged 14 and over. Phoebe may take a little while to settle, so patience is a must."
Ronnie
Little Ronnie "has been through the mill recently", losing his owner "of whom he was very protective". Although the cairn terrier is "tolerating" kennels, he'd rather be in a home "where he can be someone's best buddy again". He enjoys a fuss and a cuddle on his own terms, and he'll "walk away without a care when he's had enough of you".
Enjoying a potter around the centre but never going far, he'd "make a wonderful companion for an older person or someone with limited mobility who still enjoys getting outside". He's best suited to a one-person household in a calm environment where he's the only dog.
He will walk with other dogs, and can have "walking pals" outside, but "he's rather independent and prefers to do his own thing than interact". Dogs Trust said: "Given his protective nature and lack of experience with children, we'd advise that Ronnie only be around children age 15 and over. He is house trained but not used to being left alone at all. Ronnie does not appreciate being bothered whilst in his bed."
The charity is currently looking for foster home for Ronnie while he has cruciate surgery, saying: "Recovery in a home will take less time than in kennels."
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