2013 Success Stories

Hi Everybody,

My name is Cheyanne and I'm here to tell you about some of the great animals who have lived in the Animal Centre and gone on to new homes in 2013 (then I will shamelessly advertise myself, as I really really REALLY want a home of my own too!).

Star

Star lived at the Centre before I came. She was brought in when her owner could no longer care for her and, like me, she was at the Centre for a long time. Again, like me, she just didn't seem to appeal to members of the public. All the staff say how lovely she was (I'm sure I would have liked her, I do like so many dogs!). Just when everybody was wondering when she would find a home of her own, the most amazing thing happened. The perfect family walked through the door. They understood Star absolutely and they were so well suited. She liked them straight away and now, months later, she couldn't be doing better. Her new owners love her to bits and rave about her whenever they speak to the staff. Apparently she isn't even nervous around new people now! She really is a lucky dog. Here's a picture of her happy in her new home:

Captain

Not too long ago there was a cat at the Centre that wasn't having any luck...for a reason too - he had a serious attitude problem! Captain was (apparently) a very handsome cat, so lots of people asked about him, but he was so mischievous and naughty that he liked to play with their fingers rather than his toys! We were unsure who would want to take on such a challenge when one of our staff members stepped in. For some reason she really liked his attitude! She took him home and told me that although she has lots more scratches on her now, she loves him to bits.

Captain when he was at the Centre

Steve

Steve was at the Centre for a long time - four months! I sure hope I'm not here that long! The staff were telling me that he was abandoned and was so very sad about it. He got along really well with the dog walkers and was very well behaved, but when he was in his kennel he just barked and barked, which put people off. I can sympathise with him, sometimes I want to bark and howl a lot in my kennel too!

A lovely lady from somewhere in the North saw Steve on our Facebook page and travelled the distance down to the Centre to meet him. She had a home visit before she came and, as it was love at first sight, she decided to adopt him then and there! It's the perfect home for Steve because his lovely adopter spends lots of time with him and he has made friends with her horses as well. He is so much happier. I'm very pleased for him.

Steve looking really chilled out in the sun

Baby Orange (Basil)

Baby Orange was a beautiful parakeet brought into the Centre. I don't know what I think about birds really! They looks like good fun though. The staff didn't think he'd hang around for too long - and they weren't wrong! A pair of fosterers (we have some lovely people who look after us animals in their own homes sometimes) were looking around the Centre when they spotted him. They were in the process of building an aviary in the garden and thought he would be just perfect. As soon as the aviary was built, they came to collect him! The staff told me that there was a bit of a fly in the ointment though...they realised when they got him home that he was so friendly and sociable that he would probably greet anything that came to the aviary - even a cat! On to plan B...Basil, as they named him, has the run of the house when they are in and gets to snooze away in a big parrot cage at night. He really is living the life.

Lucy (Ruby)

Earlier this year a very poorly little kitten was brought to the Centre. The staff called her Lucy. She had very bad cat flu (who knew cats could get colds?!) so she stayed with a fosterer who didn't have any other cats. She lived with them for quite a few months as it took her a long time to get over her flu. The staff didn't really want her to move back into the Centre because she may have been susceptible to becoming poorly again, so they began to advertise her, to try to rehome her from her foster home. 

She was placed on the National RSPCA website (I'm on there too you know!) and somebody called all the way from Gloucester! They came to meet her and decided she was the one for them. They sent the staff a lovely email telling everybody how she'd settled in. Apparently at first she was very scared and wasn't very nice to her new cat best friend, although the cat was always very patient with her. Eventually she settled in very well and now loves her friend and her new mum and dad. It can be quite stressful for us animals when we move home, but we always get there in the end!

Lucy, happy in her new home

Bruno

I was very confused when the staff asked me to tell Bruno's story because we have SO MANY BRUNO DOGS! It must be a very popular name for male dogs. At the moment we have a staffy called Bruno in (he's quite nice too), a Rottweiler called Bruno has just been adopted and then there's THIS Bruno! So you can understand my confusion, but now I understand which one they mean.

This Bruno was here well before my time, earlier in 2013. His dad couldn't look after him anymore and he was very sad about it, but he brought him to the best place he could under the circumstances. The staff were worried that it might take Bruno a long time to find a home because he was a very big dog (bigger than me, even!). Luckily for Bruno, his perfect match walked through the door not long after he arrived. This family was absolutely perfect for him. His new mum was very good at training (and apparently Bruno needed a lot of that) and they had a dog who he got along well with. After a little settling in time, Bruno is now doing very well and they are so happy with him.

Huge Bruno in his new home!

Star (cat!!)

Star must be another popular name. Unlike Cheyanne, which is very unusual and unique (hint, hint!!). Star the cat was another animal who spent a long time at the Centre. She was quite old and had no teeth left! The staff said this just added to her charm because it meant she dribbled when she was being fussed. Even though she was without doubt the most affectionate cat in the Centre and loved everybody she met, she had little to no interest. She went to a foster home for a little while to give her a break from the Centre. When she came back, an old volunteer heard about her via Facebook. She took one look at her and knew she had to have her! She now lives with her canine pals and is very loved and happy.

Leo

Leo came to Derby after he was struggling to find a home at a different RSPCA Centre. He had a truly tough time before the RSPCA rescued him and was lucky to survive. He was still only young, like me. Despite all that, like me, he was full of joy and really loved people! Luckily after he had only been here for a short time he was snapped up and now enjoys life to the full with owners who truly appreciate him - even if he has chewed their curtains. His tail still never stops wagging!

These are just a few of the amazing success stories from 2013. Please help to make more for 2014 by coming to adopt an animal from here - preferably ME!

I may take a bit of work (I am a husky cross after all!) but I'm good on walks and I really really love people. If you're around for a lot of the day (I don't like being on my own) and have had big dogs before then please come and talk to the staff about me. I'd love to meet you :)

Lots of love,

Cheyanne xxxx