RSPCA Leeds launches appeal for 'loveable' dog who has spent 360 days in rescue waiting to be adopted in Yorkshire

Zeus, a ‘loveable’ four-year-old Staffie cross, has been waiting to be adopted at the charity’s Leeds, Wakefield and District branch animal centre in East Ardsley since November 2022 and is currently one of the RSPCA’s longest-staying dogs in the north of England.

However, despite his happy manner, constantly wagging his tail and love of human company, Zeus has yet to find his forever home and staff at the charity say that he is sadly beginning to lose his spark as his first anniversary in kennels approaches.

The RSPCA is highlighting his story as part of its month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign which aims to shine a light on the many animals like Zeus who are still waiting for their forever family. The charity’s rehoming centres are full as more pets come into rescue than are being adopted, with a six per cent increase in dogs and a four per cent rise in cats reported between 2021 and 2022.

Zeus’s search for a home comes after a three-year drop in rehoming rates and in 2022 the RSPCA rehomed 27,535 animals, a significant 30 per cent drop compared to 2019, when 39,178 were rehomed.

He arrived at the East Ardsley centre suffering from mange, which was successfully treated. But it soon became clear he didn’t like other dogs, and staff and volunteers have spent the past year focussing on helping him to understand that canines are not as scary as he thinks.

Animal care manager at the centre, Megan Rattray, said: “Zeus is a really happy, playful boy who loves toys and games and adores people.

“Unfortunately he doesn’t like other dogs at all, and can be aggressive towards them, and inevitably this has made it harder for us to find him a new home.

“A potential adopter will need to be understanding about this and in return the humans in his life will be rewarded with lots of love and affection from big-hearted Zeus.

“He’s sadly lost a little bit of his spark as he’s been with us for so long. Despite this, he’s a really lovely dog who has so much going for him.

“He’s intrigued by everything and can be quite nosey at times! He’s also a very quick learner and his training has come on in leaps and bounds - he's even worked out how to open his handler’s treat bag and steal all the tasty ones!

“He’ll make a wonderful companion and he’d love nothing more than a family of his own with people who will have plenty of time for games of tug and cuddles on the sofa.”

Zeus’s preferred home is in a household as an only pet with children aged 16 or above, ideally somewhere quiet or rural with no dogs living next door. He’s a quick and clever learner who loves his training, something his new owners will need to be willing to continue.