Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Jacob Jarvis

Lurcher who spent nearly 600 days in kennels finds home ending his stint as RSPCA's longest resident dog

A lurcher who spent nearly 600 days in the care of the RSPCA has finally found a home.

Three-year-old Gary was in kennels for 578 days, believed to the be longest a dog has stayed with the charity.

But now, after his long stint in South Gostone Animal Centre in Surrey, he has found a family to call his own in West Yorkshire.

Joanne Baxter, who has taken him home to Castleford, said: “He is such a lovely friendly animal, a real character. We’ve been home two days now and he hasn’t needed much adjustment at all, it’s like he has always been here.

“He has his spot on the rug where he loves sleeping and he has loved getting out for walks with the family. He certainly knows where the fridge is and has slotted right in with us.”

Joanne Baxter travelled more than 200 miles to pick Gary up (RSPCA)

Gary will now live with Ms Baxter, her partner and her son.

She decided to make the trip to get him after seeing an RSPCA appeal attempting to find him a home.

Gary's owners say he has settled into his new home (RSPCA)

Emily Jefferson, animal care assistant at South Godstone, said: “Gary was our longest stay dog overall so we are all delighted this has worked out for him.

“Of course it’s also tingedwith sadness saying goodbye as we will miss him.

“You can’t help but get attached when a dog has been with you that long and he was always in reception with us as he’s such a happy soul who loves being around people.

“This is the best outcome for Gary so we hope he has a long happy life with his new family.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.