'Gentle giant': One of Britain's loneliest dogs finally finds forever home after waiting nearly 3 years
One of Britain's loneliest dogs finally has his forever home after waiting nearly three years in kennels.
Six-year-old Alvin, a tan and white lurcher cross, was one of the RSPCA's longest-staying dogs after spending over two-and-a-half year in care. He was rescued from a property in May 2022 with untreated hunting injuries and was cared for by the team at the RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch, Cheshire.
Alvin became a firm favourite with staff who described him as an "adorable coach potato" but despite several appeals, he had little interest. He was eventually transfer 30-miles to RSPCA's Preston and District branch, Lancashire, where he was spotted on their website by Alan Eastman.
The adorable pooch finally has his forever home after being adopted by Alan - who describes him as a "gentle giant". Alan, who lives near Preston, said: "I’d always fancied having a lurcher and he just seemed to tick all the right boxes.
“He has three short walks a day but always a long sleep so he’s definitely a couch potato. He’s still got some scarring on his legs but considering everything he’s been through, the fact he will trust humans again is remarkable.”
The tan and white lurcher cross first came into RSPCA care in May 2022 after he was rescued from a house in the West Midlands with hunting injuries which his owner had failed to get treated.
He was nursed back to good health by the team but legally could not be put up for adoption until February 2024 after his former owner was disqualified from keeping animals and finally agreed to sign him over for rehoming.
Despite numerous appeals, Alvin didn't receive any interest and was transferred to another RSPCA branch in Lancashire in the hopes of finding him a home. He spent over two-and-a-half years living in kennels until he was finally spotted by Alan Eastham on the RSPCA’s website.
After falling in love with the the adorable pooch, Alan official adopted Alvin in December. He said: “As the months went on, his personality really started to shine through. I can open a wrapper in the kitchen and he’ll be asleep somewhere else, hear it and be next to me before I know it."
"We’ve done a lot of training to help him overcome some of his fears, mainly around other dogs, and now we’ve got to the stage where he’ll walk past them on the other side of the road."
Preston Branch’s Animal Care Manager, Ashleigh Kay, added about Alvin: "Seeing him go off to start his new adventure with Alan and his family was one of the highlights of the year for our team.”