Hattie is the longest-standing resident at Southridge Animal Centre. A rescue dog that has spent 500 days in kennels is still waiting for her forever home.
Two-year-old cocker spaniel Hattie has spent 18 months at the the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre in Potters Bar, first arriving in August 2020 after her previous owners struggled with her behaviour.
Hattie was later adopted in December 2020 but was soon returned to the centre because they were unable to cope with her.
Her year-and-a-half stay at the centre is the longest of the 33 dogs currently housed there.
Cathie Ward, an Animal Care Assistant at Southridge, told MyLondon: “She’s an absolutely beautiful girl, and unfortunately we have struggled to find her a home because of her additional needs.”
Hattie has high energy levels due to cocker spaniels being working dogs and the RSPCA is looking for experienced owners to take her on.
Ms Ward said: “She does get frustrated quite easily – she’s very active. She does like being around people, but it takes her some time to actually get to know you. You can’t do too much too soon with her.
“It’s just finding that experienced home with someone who’s willing to actually work with her. With the breed that she is, she’s got a high drive and she’s constantly on the go. So she needs that stimulation and enrichment in the home to help her.”
There are a few other requirements for Hattie’s potential owners: being able to take her to training classes, living in a rural or semi-rural area with green space, a secure garden and an adult-only home, with no other pets.
Although she is medically well and able to be adopted quickly, Cathie stresses the importance of Hattie’s potential owners making time to come down to the centre to get to know her before adopting, to unlock that soft, trusting side of her personality.
“Once she knows people, she does calm down a lot – she’s lovely and very cuddly, but it does take a while for her to get to that stage and to trust you,” she says.
It is also hoped new owners will take Hattie to behaviour classes to continue her training.
The RSPCA would like potential adopters to visit Hattie at the centre a number of times to bond with her before they take her home. Ms Ward said: “Once she knows people, she does calm down a lot – she’s lovely and very cuddly, but it does take a while for her to get to that stage and to trust you.”