The ‘loneliest dog in Britain’ has found a home after over 500 days in kennels
A rescue pup who was once named the “loneliest dog in Britain” has finally found his forever home after spending over 500 days in kennels.
10-year-old terrier Buddy was brought into the RSPCA’s Brent Knoll Animal Centre in Somerset and eventually spent a total of 515 days in care after his previous owner had wanted to have him put down because of his “challenging behaviour”, but a vet refused to do so.
After receiving training and spending time working with behaviourists to try to manage his issues and identify triggers, but unsuccessfully finding a place to call his forever home for a year and a half, the RSPCA launched a fresh appeal for Buddy earlier this month.
The RSPCA described Buddy as an “affectionate chap”.
They explained that he needed a “very special home” with owners who “have time and patience to help him live the happiest life possible” after a breakdown in communication between Buddy and his previous owners led to a series of confrontations and misunderstandings, which resulted in a “less than ideal relationship”.
The animal welfare organisation said Buddy needed a life “free from confrontation, other dogs and other identified stressors” and added that he “deserves a second chance”.
And the offers then came flooding in from far and wide.
People looking to give Buddy his second chance got in touch from as far afield as Canada and the US, but his new owners are based in the UK, and Andy Cook – a behaviour and welfare adviser for the RSPCA – told the BBC that Buddy had “settled in well into his new home” after a careful and gradual rehoming process.
Buddy’s new owners got in touch with the RSPCA last month after hearing his appeal on the BBC, with Mr Cook explaining: “There was a lot of interest in his story, in rehoming him… and donations to support the work that we do.”
He added: “All the staff are always happy to see the animals rehomed, [but] there was perhaps a bit more anxiety with Buddy’s case as to how it all would go.”
The RSPCA now says Buddy has “a bright future” ahead of him after his successful rehome.
His new owners told the centre that Buddy is “settling in very well”, and “hasn’t stopped all day playing ball and going around the field.”
“We too are very happy, they added.
Featured Image – RSPCA