Tag: Staffordshire Bull terriers

Scottish SPCA invites dog lovers to meet super staffies

‘Staffies are actually  friendly, affectionate and loyal’ – Mike Flynn, Scottish SPCA 

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The Scottish SPCA is inviting dog lovers to visit its Balerno centre to meet its Staffordshire bull terriers in need of new homes.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity launches its annual Staffie Awareness Week today and is urging potential new owners to meet the “fantastic breed”.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Last year our Balerno centre rehomed 21 staffies and have more looking for homes. However, we know many people still overlook them because they think they may be aggressive.

“Staffie Awareness Week is our opportunity to highlight that staffies are actually friendly, affectionate and loyal.

“Many people who visit our centres looking to rehome a dog tell us they have already discounted the breed. But when they meet a staffie their opinions often change once they have been showered with kisses and affection.

“Lots of our staffies have found new homes after people have got to know them and that’s why we are inviting anyone thinking of taking on a dog to visit our centres.

“We are sure if they spent just a small amount of time with a staffie, they’d see what a fantastic breed they are.

“Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been mistreated and need particular homes but we also have many who would suit a family home with children and pets.

“We are challenging the negative labels staffies have been given because it’s truly heart-breaking to see how many of them are living in our kennels instead of the loving homes they deserve.”

Those interested in giving a staffie a loving home can visit the charity’s Balerno centre which is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm.

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Trevor (above) has been in our care for nearly a year now and we can’t understand why he is overlooked as he is such a great, loving dog.

Trevor is very much a people dog who enjoys spending time with his human friends. He is looking for someone who can continue his training and socialisation and will require a home with an enclosed garden. He is a joy to walk on the lead and will give you heaps of affection!

Trevor would like to live in a home without any canine companions as he’s not keen on other dogs and can get very worked up when walking past them.

NOTE to Trevor:

Ditch the rugby ball – following yesterday’s heart-breaking defeat most Scots won’t want to see one of those things again for a long, long time!

Super Staffies seek loving homes

The Scottish SPCA is running a campaign to encourage locals to rehome one of the many gentle and affectionate Staffordshire bull terriers in its care.

Staffie Awareness Week begins today (21 October) and Scotland’s animal welfare charity hopes to change people’s perception of the breed, which has been unfairly labelled as aggressive and intimidating towards people.

Last year the Scottish SPCA conducted research which revealed that a staggering 75% of Scots who said they would rehome a dog were unlikely to give a Staffordshire bull terrier or staffie crossbreed a home, with many believing the breed is dangerous and can’t be trusted.

There are always Staffordshire bull terriers and staffie crossbreeds waiting for loving homes at the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno and people are being encouraged to go along and meet these dogs.

Centre manager Diane Stewart said, “The results of our research last year were very disappointing, but not surprising. While we have made great strides in recent years by changing attitudes towards staffies, we still have a long way to go. Sadly, many people visiting our centre have already discounted the breed before they even walk through the door.

“It’s heartbreaking that staffies have been labelled as dangerous and aggressive. In fact, staffies tend to be gentle, affectionate and loyal and it’s a tragedy so many are living in kennels when they should be in loving homes. We never put a healthy animal to sleep and the strain on our resources is incredible as it seems every time we find a staffie a home one or two
more arrive in our care in need of our help.

“Irresponsible dog ownership is the key issue, with over-breeding leading to huge numbers of unwanted staffies and far too many of the breed being owned by people who do not make sure their dogs are under control and well behaved in public. Staffie Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the staffie as a fantastic pet.

“Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been abused or neglected and they need particular homes, but we also have many who could happily live in a family home with children and other pets. Anyone thinking of taking on a dog is more than welcome to visit our
centre and meet some of our super staffies who are patiently waiting to be offered a fresh start.”

Anyone interested in offering a staffie a good home can visit the Scottish SPCA Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Mansfield, Balerno, Edinburgh. The centre is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm.

Meet Buster! Pic: SSPCA
Meet Buster!
Pic: SSPCA