A Dutch shepherd dog, who has lived at a rescue centre since she was nine days old, has finally been re-homed.
Mia, who is five, has been available for rehoming since November 2022 but – until recently – she was the longest-serving resident at Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire.
Now the country’s “most unwanted dog” has finally found her forever home, with a North Yorkshire family who live 200 miles away from the rescue centre.
“I’m so pleased I’ve been able to give her a happy life and a loving home,” says new owner Chris Atwell. “I have no idea why such a special dog was in care for so long, but the way she’s settled into home life is amazing.”
Mia and her mother were rescued by the RSPCA in 2019 in “extremely poor conditions”, the charity said.
After spending her fifth birthday at the rescue centre last October, and watching 400 dogs re-homed ahead of her over the course of a record 800 days, “it feels like she has been here forever” says Mr Greenwell, of his new canine companion.
“Considering she’s not spent much time in a home environment, she adapted incredibly well,” he adds.
“She’s a very sweet girl and so eager to please – she loves training and keeping her brain busy. She’s an incredibly curious dog, always wanting to know where everything is and what’s going on.”
A month on from her arrival, Mia has started going on hikes with Mr Greenwell, including discovering the Yorkshire moorland and, unwittingly, becoming immersed in a peat bog, which led to an introduction to the shower!
“Mia is a superb dog and a great companion – she brings a smile to my face every day.”
Claire Hoffman, behaviour and welfare advisor at RSPCA Southridge, said: “Mia had spent almost her entire life in kennels – 35 years in dog years.
“Her long wait was completely heart-breaking – we think she was the RSPCA’s longest ‘available for rehoming’ pet.”
“But we’re all thrilled her story now has a happy ending.”
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