Adorable Lurcher puppy named Charlie who was found emaciated and never lived indoors needs a Lancashire home
An adorable Lurcher dog named Charlie found emaciated needs a new home.
The RSPCA’s Lancashire East Branch is looking for a loving home for a young Lurcher pup who has never lived indoors, following an amazing transformation in their care.
The closure-threatened branch - which has launched a fundraising campaign to keep its animal centre open - took on nine-month-old Charlie after he was rescued from appalling conditions in the north east.
He was found with seven other dogs in squalid conditions on an allotment in County Durham just before Christmas, who were all removed by the charity’s officers because of concerns for their welfare.
The animals, most of whom were underweight, were living in pens and kennels heavily contaminated with faeces and surrounded by large piles of rubbish, hazardous items and boxes of raw, rotting chicken.
Charlie was in one of the worst conditions, emaciated and covered in pressure sores.
A vet said the dogs were suffering or likely to suffer because of their living environment and they were seized by police and handed into the care of the RSPCA. They received urgent veterinary care before being transferred to a number of the charity’s animal centres in the north of England. Several have already been rehomed.
Charlie was initially placed on a strict re-feeding programme which involved giving him a high quality diet and small meals frequently. He’s made good progress at the Huncoat-based branch where he’s gained weight and is now ready to find a loving new home.
Animal Care Assistant Amy Robinson, who took Charlie out for the day last weekend, said: “We don't think 'home life' is something Charlie has ever experienced, so when he arrived at my house he gave every single inch of it a proper sniff.
“He was fascinated by the television and watched it intently on several occasions.
“He was also very curious about the fridge and quickly learned that's where food comes from - he’d go out in the garden and then pop back inside to have another look around it.”
She added: “He’s a really affectionate dog and will rest his head on your chest if you get down to his level and will try and curl up on your knee if you sit on the floor - he doesn't realise he is actually quite a big boy!
“His favourite toy is a squeaky ball and he cheekily tried to pinch a few things - blankets, cushions, boots, hot water bottles to name but a few - but he’s probably never seen them before so it was all very new to him.”
He could live with another dog, subject to sensible introductions at the centre, and children aged 10 and above, but he cannot share a home with cats.
Please get in touch with the Branch via their website if you would like to support their centre appeal by making a donation, organising a fundraiser, rehoming an animal or becoming a foster carer or member of our Safe Haven scheme by making a small regular monthly donation.