Five-year-old lurcher cross Alvin was rescued by the RSPCA in May 2022 from a house in the West Midlands.
He had untreated injuries from hunting which his owner had failed to get treatment for.
Sweet Alvin is searching for his forever home (Image: RSPCA) Alvin has been at the RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton and St Helens branch in Cheshire ever since, but could not be put up for adoption until February last year after his owner was dealt with in court and signed him over for rehoming.
The tan and white lurcher cross became a favourite with the staff at the animal centre in Slutchers Lane, who described him as an ‘adorable couch potato,’ but despite several rehoming appeals last year, he remained overlooked.
Just before Christmas, in a bid to increase his chances of adoption, Alvin made the 30-mile journey north to the RSPCA’s Preston and District Branch rehoming centre in Ribbleton.
This precious pooch is ready for a new family (Image: RSPCA) Centre manager, Ashleigh Kay, said: “We’re really hoping Alvin’s move to Lancashire will help introduce him to a fresh audience of potential owners this new year.
“Because of his sighthound heritage, people may think he has bags of energy and will need lots of walks.
“Of course, he loves getting out and finding new scents to explore, but he’s also quite relaxed and laid back and he’ll love nothing more than stretching out his long limbs on a sofa and having a cuddle.
“He’s a loveable gentle giant who has already won us over in the short time he’s been with us and we very much hope to be able to find him a wonderful new home as he’s only a young dog with the rest of his life ahead of him.”
Alvin is a ‘gentle giant’ (Image: RSPCA) Alvin was described as a large but polite dog who loves his food and treats.
He will need owners who are willing to patiently build up his trust, although once he gets to know you, he loves a fuss.
He prefers female dogs over male ones, and introductions with other animals will need to be done slowly and at his own pace.
He loves to relax on the sofa (Image: RSPCA) Because of his breed, he has a high prey drive, which new owners will need to be aware of when they are out walking him.
He could live with older children aged 10 and over but will need to be the only pet in the house.
Katie Buckley, animal care manager at the Warrington rehoming centre, said the staff and volunteers had grown incredibly fond of Alvin during the two and a half years he was with them.
This beautiful boy is desperately in need of a home (Image: RSPCA) She said: “It was heartbreaking to watch people continually walk past and choose another dog and not him.
“We were very sad to see him leave, but we hope a change of location will spark some interest as he’s waited a long time and has been through such a lot.
“Alvin really deserves a home of his own and we hope the start of 2025 will bring him that little bit of luck.”
People interested in adopting Alvin or finding out more about him can contact the Preston and District Branch on 01772 792553 or visit the RSPCA website.
The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting rescue dogs to provide them with a loving home and reduce the burden on rescue centres.