Britain’s loneliest dog is still searching for a forever home after spending more than 775 days at the dog kennel and facing hundreds of rejections.
Three-year-old Bob, a Presa Canario cross, first arrived at the RSPCA kennels in Birmingham after being found injured and stray in 2019.
The ‘sensitive soul’ has now been with the animal charity for more than two years, despite finding living in kennels ‘challenging’ and has been overlooked by potential new owners more than 200 times.
Staff, volunteers and behaviourists at the RSPCA’s Birmingham Animal Centre spent around 18 months working with Bob to help prepare him for adoption.
Three-year-old Bob, a Presa Canario cross, arrived at the RSPCA charity kennels in Birmingham in 2019 – and is still waiting to be adopted 775 days later
His adoption profile reveals that he has ‘overcome a tough past’ and he has worked with behaviourists and undergone positive reinforcement training in order to be ready for a new home.
But so far nobody has been willing to offer him a new place to live, despite spending two-thirds of his life in kennels.
Jake Cowing, who has been taking care of Bob, said: ‘We spent an extended period of time working with Bob behaviourally and helping prepare him for a new home.
‘And then, of course, lockdown hit and delayed us being able to find him a new home.
‘He’s such a fabulous lad with a great character and I hope we can find him the right family. But he does require quite a special home, so we need to make sure it’s the right match.
‘Bob finds being restrained and walking on a lead incredibly difficult and has found kennels really challenging.
‘While he may look like a big tough lad he’s actually a really sensitive soul.
His adoption profile reveals that he has ‘overcome a tough past’ and has undergone positive reinforcement training but already faced 221 rejections from potential owners
‘We believe, in the past, some well-meaning but misinformed techniques have been used to help Bob walk on a lead so we’ve had to try to unpick these problems and start from scratch.
‘But as we got to know him we discovered that he is an absolute sweetheart.
‘He’s very friendly and loves to play. Once he trusts you, he is the most loyal companion and friend you’ll ever find.’
The charity say Bob was finally able to go on walks again following months of careful, patient and positive reinforcement training.
He is said to enjoy carrying a tennis ball around like a dummy so he can chew it if he becomes stressed.
Jake added: ‘Time never seems to be on Bob’s side. He’d only just become available for rehoming when lockdown hit and we had to close to the public.
‘His special needs meant that we would only be able to match him to someone once he’d spent time getting to know them and we couldn’t facilitate this due to the Government’s restrictions.
Jake Cowing (pictured), who has been taking care of Bob, said that while he may look like a big tough dog he’s actually ‘a really sensitive soul’
‘Now we’re partially open again we get lots of people admiring him and inquiring about giving him a home. But, once they find out about all of his quirks, they seem to be put off.
‘Since Bob has been with us he’s seen 221 of our dogs go off to their new homes, but he’s still here waiting.
‘Ideally we’re looking for a home with a large garden or private land big enough for Bob to exercise and play without the need to go out on lead walks, at least until he’s settled and bonded with his new family.
‘We would provide ongoing support and guidance to any continued lead work but we feel he’d be happiest in a setting where leads were not a daily necessity of life.’
Staff would like to find an experienced adult-only home where he’d be the only pet. He thrives with routine, familiarity and spending time with his friends.
Jake said: ‘Two years is a long, long time – and Bob has spent more than two thirds of his life in kennels.
‘While we’ve done the best for him, we desperately want to see him in a home of his own with someone who can give him the life he deserves.
‘He has overcome a tough past and is our champion, a survivor and our friend. He’s a big, silly clown who will change the life of his adopters.
‘And anyone who takes him on will certainly change his.’
Anybody wanting to find out more about Bob can do so on the RSPCA’s website or by emailing [email protected]