Adoptober 2025

RSPCA urges people to adopt ‘every kind’ of dog as crisis sees record numbers 

Could you provide a home for Reggie or Bonnie this Adoptober?

The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting 'every kind' of dog this Adoptober as the charity is struggling with record numbers of dogs in its care.

It is hoped that Adoptober - the RSPCA’s annual rehoming campaign - will be the month for  greyhound Reggie (pictured) and a forever home will finally be found for him! 

Four-year-old Reggie (pictured) is under the care of the RSPCA Lancaster East Branch and is full of personality and has been looking for a home since July.

While Bonnie is a bright and bubbly staffy-cross who has been with the branch since April 2025.

In 2024 the RSPCA as a whole across its centres and branches rehomed a staggering 26,167 animals. Branches are part of the RSPCA but run as charities in their own right and work incredibly hard to rehome and rehabilitate animals across England and Wales. 

But Reggie’s rehoming appeal comes as the RSPCA reveals it is facing a rehoming crisis with record numbers of rescued dogs in care across RSPCA animal national centres and branches.

While new data from the charity* reveals that it can take up to seven times longer for some larger dog breeds to find a new home compared to smaller dogs. 

RSPCA pet behaviour expert Dr Sam Gaines said: “We urgently need homes for big dogs, who can wait seven times longer than smaller dogs to find their forever home. 

“We are in an unprecedented rehoming crisis as several large-scale cruelty and neglect cases have led to record numbers of dogs and cats in our care and are at risk of running out of space. We desperately need adopters now more than ever, so we can continue to rescue and care for the animals who need us.

“It’s the perfect storm with dogs rescued from cruelty and neglect needing longer to recover and needing more specialist homes, and at the same time, rehoming has slowed right across the welfare sector.”

Sam added: “Our unique and special dogs may not be the right pet for everyone. Some need some extra help to help them recover from their past, some are misunderstood because of the way they look, some need quiet homes with no other pets, and others need owners who can keep up with their boundless zest for life.

“But we know the right people are out there and urgently need to hear from them.

Gentle giants, big softies and larger than life characters; we’ve got every kind of big dog, each one is unique, special and deserves a second chance of happiness.”

It is hoped that this Adoptober a forever home will be found for Reggie who is being cared for by the RSPCA Lancaster East Branch.

Susan Abraham from the branch said: “Reggie is a sweet and loveable greyhound who has lots of personality and is just so happy to spend time with you.

“He is a cough potato but equally he is always up for an explore and has a playful side to him. 

“He walks well on lead and loves meeting new people, mostly for the treats! Reggie gets excited to see other dogs out on his adventures and always wants to make new friends. He does require some basic training to help keep him calm but support will be given with this throughout the adoption process”

Reggie can be nervous, particularly in new surroundings. He also finds going up and down stairs and steps difficult and is worried about walking on hard/slippy surfaces. 

This means his future adopters will need to be aware that to ensure he is comfortable, pathways (mats/rugs) may need to be made so he can walk on these surfaces with confidence. However, he is showing steady progress and he is becoming more confident and calm with each day. However, his future home will need to continue with his confidence building training.

Reggie will do well in a home with another dog similar to his temperament but this is not an essential rehoming criteria and will be fine being an only dog household. He can be rehomed with children aged older than 10 who are dog savvy, but no cats.

“Reggie is one of a kind and we can’t wait for him to find his special forever home,” added Susan. “Please do get in touch with us for any more information.”

Bonnie  is just a year and a half old and is full of energy.

“She absolutely loves to play with toys, especially the squeaky kind, and will happily keep herself entertained with a good game,” said Susan.

“Long walks are also one of her favourite things, and she walks well on the lead.

“Bonnie can be very excitable, especially when meeting new people, so ongoing training to help her stay calm will really benefit her. She’s already been doing some dog socialisation work with us, which has been going well, but will need to be continued in the home.”

Bonnie is a sweet and affectionate girl who thrives on attention and cuddles, but she can be a little sensitive to loud noises, so she’s looking for a calm and understanding home. 

She would suit an active, adult-only household where she can continue her training and enjoy plenty of enrichment and playtime. We would recommend her being the only animal in the household while she is improving with her socialisation. Children would need to be over the age of 15.

Susan added: “If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion to join you on long walks and keep you entertained with her playful personality, Bonnie might just be your perfect match!”

Getting a pet brings a lot of joy, but before committing, it’s important to understand the costs. The RSPCA pet cost calculator can help you prepare. It’s also important to consider pet insurance to protect against unexpected costs.

To find out more about Reggie  please contact the branch or complete an online application form.