Delboy the French Bulldog Cross was the RSPCA's longest serving resident but he has now found his forever home

A loveable pooch who spent 600 days at a Fylde coast RSPCA Animal Centre has finally found his forever home.

French bulldog cross, Delboy, named after the much-loved Only Fools and Horses character, was continually overlooked by potential adopters and became RSPCA’s Longview Animal Centre in Stalmine longest-staying resident.

But it took belief from Mike and Corrine Neale to turn his fortunes around.

As the RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign continues, the charity is sharing Delboy’s story in the hope that other would-be pet owners will consider giving a rescue animal a second chance.

Delboy was signed over to the RSPCA because of welfare concerns.

Delboy was affectionate with people he knew, but needed time and patience to learn to trust unfamiliar faces, especially men.

Thanks to the patience and perseverance of the Longview team, he slowly blossomed into a sweet and affectionate dog who loved going on adventures to local beaches and long walks with other canine companions.

But month after month he received little rehoming interest, despite extensive appeals. One failed adoption saw him returned to the centre after just two days, through no fault of his own.

Mr and Mrs Neale, who live on the Fylde coast, eventually saw one of the animal centre’s appeals and felt Delboy could be the dog for them. The couple had lots of experience caring for rescue dogs with behavioural challenges and were not deterred by his need for careful, gradual introductions.

During their first visit they joined one of his main handlers for a walk and bonded with Delboy straight away. They returned for further visits - about 10 in total - gradually taking a more active role and eventually holding Delboy’s lead themselves, allowing him to build trust at his own pace.

Day visits to their home followed and then a sleepover, by which time Mr and Mrs Neal said they found it so hard to bring him back to the centre they knew they had to adopt him.

Delboy’s main handler at the centre, Catherine Connolly said: "Two years ago, Delboy arrived needing someone to believe in him. Strangers were scary, and his journey wasn’t always easy, but we never gave up on him.

“Through setbacks, disappointments and times when there seemed to be little interest, we kept believing in him, taking him on beach days, introducing him to new experiences and even letting him meet my own family, all to help him learn that the world wasn’t such a scary place after all.

“And then came his amazing new family. Mr and Mrs Neale saw what we had always seen in Delboy, a loving, special boy who didn’t need changing, he just needed to be understood. They gave him the chance he had been waiting two years for, and seeing him settle into his forever home has made every setback and every difficult day worth it.”

Mr Neale said: "We chose Delboy because he desperately needed a forever home and was also the longest-stay dog at the centre. Staff at Longview were really helpful, patient and kind throughout his adoption process, especially Catherine who was very attached to Delboy and explained his needs and quirks.

“He’s been with us for little over a month and is settling in lovely, enjoying walks, sofas, beds, treats and being loved, which is his favourite pastime. He’s already been on his first holiday with us to Northumberland and we have lots more adventure planned.

“After nearly two years of waiting, we’re so happy to have been able to give Delboy a new life with us.”

Catherine added: “We never gave up on Delboy and we’re so incredibly proud of him and overjoyed that he’s now living the life he always deserved. He’s a wonderful example of the right family being willing to look beyond a dog’s challenges and give them the patience and understanding they need.”

Every October the RSPCA’s Adoptober campaign aims to raise awareness of the amazing animals who are looking for homes in RSPCA centres and branches, many of whom have been rescued from heartbreaking cruelty and neglect.

Longview Animal Centre is run by the RSPCA’s Blackpool & North Lancashire Branch which is an independent, self-funding charity.

Its rehoming centre in Old Toms Lane cares for dogs, cats and a range of small animals who have been neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. At its busiest, the centre can have over 100 animals in its care.