RSPCA's longest-staying dog finds new home

58 minutes ago

Emma StanleyNorth West

Mike and Corrine Neale say Delboy "is settling in lovely"

RSPCA Mike and Corrine kneeling on a grassy field beside a tan French bulldog, posing outdoors in a sunlit park with trees and open green space in the background. — Mike and Corrine Neale say Delboy "is settling in lovely"

A dog named Delboy - who spent nearly two years in the RSPCA's care - has finally been rehomed.

The French bulldog cross arrived at Longview Animal Centre in Stalmine, Lancashire in October 2024 and became the centre's longest-staying resident.

His new owners, Mike and Corrine Neale, from the Fylde coast, visited the rehoming centre 10 times to build up a rapport with him.

"He is settling in lovely, enjoying walks, sofas, beds, treats and being loved, which is his favourite pastime," Mike said.

Signed over into RSPCA care because of welfare concerns, Delboy - named after the Only Fools and Horses character - was affectionate with people he knew, but needed time and patience to learn to trust unfamiliar faces, especially men.

Mike and Corrine saw one of the animal centre's appeals and felt Delboy could be the dog for them as they had lots of experience caring for rescue dogs with behavioural challenges.

Mike said: "We chose Delboy because he desperately needed a forever home.

"The staff at Longview were really helpful, patient and kind throughout his adoption process and explained his needs and quirks.

"He's been with us for little over a month and he's already been on his first holiday with us to Northumberland and we have lots more adventures planned.

"We're so happy to have been able to give Delboy a new life with us."

Delboy became the centre's longest-staying resident

RSPCA Tan French bulldog sitting in a red plastic dog bed indoors, surrounded by blankets and looking directly at the camera with upright ears. — Delboy became the centre's longest-staying resident

Hannah Mainds, from the RSPCA's Blackpool and North Lancashire Branch, said the couple "took him out for days out, they took him home for sleepovers to really spend the time and develop that trust with him".

"They really worked with us to make sure it was the right fit and the right match and we're very grateful to them," she said.

"Sometimes people think 'oh I'll just go to the animal centre, we'll pick up a rescue dog and we'll take it home' but some of them need a lot more care, a lot more time and a lot more patience and they really did put that effort in.

"I'm so glad Delboy finally got his happy ending."

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

At its busiest, the centre can have over 100 animals in its care and currently has 28 dogs as well as cats and rabbits.

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