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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Paige Freshwater

Poor dogs spend 'ages' waiting in kennels - but nobody wants to rehome them

They've been in kennels for so long, they're starting to forget what it is to be loved by an owner.

Ballu and Coco have been overlooked by all potential owners through no fault of their own.

Little Ballu arrived at Team Poundies, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, last year - but hasn't had a single application in all that time.

He has been described as an "affectionate boy" who is great with humans and other dogs and loves to learn new commands and tricks.

A spokeswoman from Team Poundies, a rescue charity dedicated to saving dogs on death row, told The Mirror : “Never have I connected so deeply with a dog that wasn’t mine, he 'feels' your energy.

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Ballu has spent a year in Team Poundies' care (Team Poundies)
Coco has been in kennels for about seven months (Team Poundies)

"If you are sad he will cuddle or try to make you laugh, if you are in a fun mood he will play for hours.

"He's so smart, I've been teaching him to find things, play ball, do tricks, do agility, he would be the best walking buddy, or way to get out more and meet people.

"He would look after you with his life, he's so, so loyal.

"He came to us because he didn’t have the best start in life and needed to understand that people were nice and wouldn’t hurt him. Now he's utterly perfect."

Ballu needs to live in a pet-free and child-free home with active owners who love an intelligent and eager-to-please dog.

The rescue team had him assessed by experienced dog handlers and they were very impressed with him, but sadly his "looks" let him down.

Coco was taken into rescue through no fault of his own (Senior Staffy Club)

They have exhausted all avenues for Ballu to go into a real working role so are looking for the next best thing for him.

The spokeswoman added: "Ballu’s ideal home will be with a single person or couple who thrive on routine and boundaries. Ballu really needs a schedule. He thrives knowing what’s happening and knowing what to expect.

"He needs to work his brain and his body in equal measure; he loves scent games and following commands and learning new things.

"He would also thrive in a physically demanding home; someone who enjoys walking, mountaineering or travelling.

One of their team members added: "I cannot express how deeply we all love and adore this boy. He is so very different to the dog who came to us last year. He has blossomed under the guidance of the kennel staff and has real potential."

Ballu is based at kennels in the North East and any potential adopters will need to meet him a number of times before taking him home.

But Ballu isn't the only dog who has been struggling to secure a new home, as Coco has already spent about seven months at Team Poundies.

His previous owners could no longer care for him due to personal circumstances.

"A foster home with another calm dog as a companion would be really good for him, and he will be neutered once he is in a foster home and settled," the spokeswoman said. "Coco could live with older children, but not with cats.

"When Coco is ready for adoption Team Poundie may consider his foster home as a potential adoption home."

Set up in 2016, Team Poundies started with saving pound dogs on death row before branching out to include other dogs at risk and those at the end of the road in terms of finding a rescue to take them on and turn their lives around.

If you're interested in rehoming Ballu or Coco, complete an application on Team Poundies' website. You can also find them on Facebook.

The animal charity will consider a trial period before adoption for both Ballu and Coco.

Do you know a dog who need a new home? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.

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