Staffie at RSPCA in Cheshire is waiting for new home

Bruce, who was neglected living in a rusty cage by a previous owner, passed the unwanted landmark recently with the RSPCA Crewe, Nantwich and District Branch.

Bruce’s plight comes as the RSPCA launched its Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign to help more animals in need during the summer.

The 11-year-old arrived at the branch in March 2021 with two other Staffies, Alaska and Terry.

Bruce was adopted two months later, but sadly he made a return to the Cheshire branch in January and has remained in its care since.

While partially deaf, branch volunteers say that doesn’t appear to cause Bruce problems in day-to-day life, although potential owners or fosterers will need to be vigilant when he is outside the home and not let him roam on his own.

They will also have to be aware that he does possess a reactive nature when around other dogs.

“Coming back to us after seven months must have been just so awful for Bruce after we’d found a new home for him last May,” said Angela Chan, RSPCA Crewe, Nantwich and District Branch’s dog rehoming co-ordinator.

“He’d lived a sad life before that, spending most of each day in a rusty crate at a property where he was neglected along with Alaska and Terry.

“They weren’t socialised and they never went on walks.”

Alaska and Terry have both been adopted but Bruce – who is described as a teddy bear – has not been so lucky.  

“He is house trained and travels well in a car,” Angela added.

“We were told by his previous adopters that he is good with children, however, we don’t know how much contact he’s had with them.

Bruce

“We think he would make an ideal companion for an elderly person or a retired couple.

"He likes playing in the garden, but he also likes cuddling up and falling asleep on the sofa.”

Bruce had a large lipoma removed at the vets and the branch believes his deafness has been caused by repeated painful ear infections that were left untreated.

His hearing is limited to high-pitch noises and although he responds best to visual commands, he does answer to his name. 

“Bruce would make a wonderful companion for someone and would fit in perfectly into a quiet, adult-only home as the only pet,” Angela continued.

“It would be great to find a foster home for him as it would get him out of the kennels and get him on the path again to leading a normal life with loving owners.

"But we are also happy for Bruce to be adopted straight away.”

All expenses incurred for fostering Bruce and any other dogs will be covered by the branch.

If you can offer Bruce – or another of the furry residents - space in your home and heart then email the branch at dogrehoming@rspca-crewenantwich.org.uk or ring 07748 400919.