Roux/Molly from Newport: Adoptober success as rescued pets celebrate the New Year in new homes

Forever homes for Athena, Patch, Tigger, Roux and Norman and Stanley 

Eight incredible rescued pets who have waited a total of FIVE years to find their forever homes are now enjoying the New Year with new and loving families.

The RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign was launched in October in a bid to increase adoption rates across England and Wales. The drive also celebrated the benefits of rescue pets, highlighting the many animals that are waiting to find their perfect ‘forever’ match and dispels myths about rescue pet rehoming.

Thanks to the many Adoptober rehoming stories spread far and wide across England and Wales along with the hard work and dedication from centre staff, new statistics reveal that across the 14 RSPCA National Centres there was a 36% increase in dog adoptions in October compared to the previous month and a 7% increase in cat adoptions. Whilst the 135 independently-run branches across England and Wales continue to work incredibly hard to rehome the hundreds of pets in their care.

It is also encouraging that the numbers of animals placed in temporary emergency boarding  (which is used until a space opens up for them at a RSPCA rehoming centre) – has dropped by 17.5% – although the numbers of animals entering the RSPCA through cruelty and neglect cases remains high.

Among those whose wishes of a new and loving home were granted are: 

Patch – RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch

Four-year-old Patch, was left completely bald due to a severe skin allergy, was being cared for by RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch back in October.

He was taken in by the RSPCA due to concerns about his condition when his previous owners couldn’t afford the cost of treatment to manage his allergies. He arrived at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch sore, itchy and uncomfortable.

Poor Patch has a severe allergy to dust mites and birch pollen, and his skin gets incredibly itchy and sore. Thankfully he responded well to his medication and his fur even started to grow back.

During Adoptober Simon Mullins saw Patch’s profile on the RSPCA adoption website and after completing the application form he made arrangements to go to meet Patch. Over the next month he made repeated visits to see Patch and he was also taken to his house for a few hours one day to try out the home environment.

Simon said Patch has settled in very well. He said: “Patch has adapted well to his new home environment and considering one of his allergies is dust, I can say at this moment in time he is doing very well with his allergies because no home is dust free and I was worried about how a home environment would be for him – but so far so good.”

Patch is still on his medication although this is likely to decrease in dose over time and he has two baths a week and he has grown a little bit more fur too.

“His skin is so soft now, it feels like a baby’s skin. I do want him to grow more fur but secretly I love my naked pooch just the way he is.

“I set Patch a social media page up on Facebook called ‘Patch the boxer’ which has been going well. I did it to bring attention to Patch and his skin conditions so that people know all about him, the great work the RSPCA does, and so that people can know that it is possible to adopt an animal with care needs and that they can live in a normal home and share life with you.

“The team at RSPCA Halifax have been great and helpful and supportive to us and Patch and I cannot thank them enough for what they have done. I am looking to take Patch back to RSPCA Halifax soon so he can catch up with his friends there and so that they can see the progress he has made so far.

“He really is doing well, and I am looking forward to the future with him in his forever home.”

Animal Centre Manager Claire Kendall said: “When Patch came in to us, we were shocked at how bad his skin was. After a lot of tests and treatment he started improving and even though he still had no fur we got to a stage where we could rehome him.

“Then after 373 days of being at the animal centre his wonderful adopters came to us after seeing him on various platforms. All the staff were very tearful when he left as everyone was  so happy for him! 

“We all follow him on social media, and we can see he is doing amazing – it’s just wonderful!”

Athena – RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre

While Athena the German Shepherd, who had such a severely infected wound on her leg that it needed amputating, has also found her forever home!

Athena, aged just two years old, came into the RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre, in Aylesbury,  after she was found being kept outside in poor living conditions with two other dogs and she had an untreated wound on her front leg which was severely infected.

Sadly despite the best efforts – nothing could be done to save her leg and a decision was made to amputate it by the vets at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital who were caring for her.

However, despite now only having three-legs, Athena has not let this hold her back – and after patiently waiting for more than 300 days she has found her perfect match. 

Athena’s new owners saw her story in the local newspaper and consequently contacted RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre.

Her owner said Athena was “absolutely thriving” and loves everyone and everyone loves her!

Paula Flitney, deputy manager at Blackberry Farm, said: ”I am so happy that Athena has finally found the home she deserves. She is such a great dog who had a bad start to her young life.

“But to see her now, relaxed and enjoying the comforts of a loving family and home is delightful! It is rewarding for the team here at Blackberry Farm to see. It makes it all seem so worthwhile.”

Roux/Molly – RSPCA Newport Animal Centre 

Four-year-old Roux was rehomed from RSPCA Newport Animal Centre following Adoptober with her new owner seeing her profile on the RSPCA Find A Pet website. She came into RSPCA care after being rescued as a pregnant stray in need of a little TLC .

Now named Molly she has settled in well to her new home after spending 145 days in RSPCA care. Her owner Neil Finch said: “Molly was obviously a very timid cat who may have been stray or had bad experiences with people. 

“She initially hid all day and would come out at night. Gradually she took to the cat bed I provided underneath my bed. She has eaten well and toileted in her litter tray from day one.

“Slowly she has started to come into the lounge for longer periods but will still keep her distance. It has been a slow but rewarding process and she may soon initialise contact.”

Tigger – RSPCA Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch

During Adoptober black and white cat Tigger was under the care of RSPCA Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch and hit the headlines as he had been waiting for a home for more than 400 days!

Twelve-year-old Tigger came into the care of the branch after his elderly owner sadly passed away.  Despite his advancing years, Tigger’s energy and behaviour is more akin to a cat half his age but sadly he was overlooked for some time.

Norah Bourne heard about Tigger when a friend sent her a cutting from the local paper appealing for a home for him during Adoptober. She was looking to rehome an older cat so got in touch with the RSPCA Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch.

Norah said they are so pleased to have adopted Tigger.

She said: “He is a real character, definitely his own man and is very inquisitive. Although he is 13 he is very playful! His favourite toys are pencils and pens which he chases across the wooden floor. 

“His favourite place to sit is on the window sill in the front room where he can watch people and traffic going by! I would say to anyone thinking of rehoming a cat not to overlook an older cat.”

Norman and Stanley –  RSPCA West Norfolk Branch 

Guinea pigs Norman and Stanley were under the care of RSPCA West Norfolk Branch when an Adoptober rehoming appeal was launched for them as they were their ‘longest stay’ of around 170 days – having been in their care since May.

But thanks to a rehoming appeal they were rehomed by Jess Whiffin, from Chelmsford, who reached out to the branch straight away.

“When I saw the Adoptober story about Norman and Stanley I had to get in touch,” said Jess.

“I hoped I would be the perfect match for them and I was delighted when my application went through and I was soon able to take them home with me.”

Jess said she has changed their names to Maris and Piper.

“They have settled in well (pictured with Jess’ mum) and I have re-named them as Maris and Piper as they are like little potatoes! They are still quite nervous but every day I can see them gaining confidence which is the best feeling seeing their little personalities come out!

“I’m so glad I am able to provide them with a forever home.”

Emily Cole, from the branch, said: “It was lovely to finally find a home for this lovely pair as so many male guinea pigs in our care are needing homes due to the fact they are more difficult to bond and people favour females.”

Thelma and Louise –  RSPCA Worcester and Mid-Worcestershire Branch

Back in October Thelma and Louise had been looking for a home for more than 150 days – almost four times longer than the average stay. 

They were being cared for at The Holdings Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre – run by RSPCA Worcester and MidWorcestershire Branch – after their owner was taken ill.

Claire Wood, from the branch, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our wonderful Thelma and Louise have found such a loving home. 

“We have been told that they have settled in really well, with Louise coming out of her shell and Thelma has been acting like she owned the place! It certainly  has been a lovely happy ever after Adoptober story!”

 
The RSPCA has pledged that rehoming will continue to be an important part of its work during 2025 as it urgently searches for loving new homes for pets to make room for the many more animals rescued by its frontline officers. Potential adopters can visit the RSPCA’s Find A Pet webpage to see all of the animals currently in the charity’s care who are looking for their perfect match. 

Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places in centres for rescued animals, said: “We are delighted to see adoptions for cats and dogs going up across the board in our centres for Adoptober. It also has been fantastic to see some of the longest stay residents finally finding their forever homes too at our national centres and at our dedicated branches too.

“As well as Adoptober – RSPCA frontline officers have been working to support families to keep pets in loving homes and other initiatives including The RSPCA Pet Food Bank project – have helped to reduce numbers of pets being placed in emergency boarding. 

“However the hard work never stops – as we continue to plough on each day with rehoming all the animals across the year that come into our care – and plead to those who are looking to take on a pet to rehome a rescue pet.

“Our rehoming centres are still crying out for people who have the desire, dedication, time, facilities and willingness to step forward and offer to adopt our long stay animals. They can do this with the confidence that the RSPCA rehoming team will give them all the help, advice and support they need to make the animals transition from centre to home a positive one.”

This Winter the RSPCA –  which is marking its 200th year – has launched its Join the Winter Rescue campaign which calls on the public to support the RSPCA so they can continue their life-saving work during the busy winter period at a time when pet abandonments are on the increase. The charity announced last month that 20,999 abandonment reports were made to its emergency line in 2023, compared to 16,118 in 2020 – a rise of 30% in just three years.   

The charity, which in 2024 celebrated its 200th anniversary, believes these shocking statistics are due to an increase in pet ownership during Covid 19 and the current financial hardships faced by many. 

If you would like to adopt a pet please visit the RSPCA’s Find A Pet webpage