The Harrogate Dog Show is taking place on Saturday, April 13, in front of  Victoria Shopping Centre, and attention will be on the pampered pets as they compete to win accolades in categories such as ‘Cutest Puppy’.

April is also officially National Pet Month – but there are many animals, including dogs, across North Yorkshire who are still waiting for their chance to find a forever home.

This month, the Stray Ferret has found a few furry faces to feature, from the RSPCA York, Harrogate & the District branch. All these dogs are currently available to adopt – although hopefully not for much longer.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Drizzle.

Age: 12 months.

Breed: Lurcher.

Sex: Male.

Likes: Plenty of adventures, and exciting walks.

Dislikes: Spending too much time alone. 

About: The RSPCA describes Drizzle as a ‘gorgeous dog’ who ‘loves to live life to the max.’ At 12 months old, he’s still got plenty of puppy energy and exuberance – but that can mean he sometimes forgets his manners, and can be a bit boisterous, especially with other dogs.

However, he’s got bags of potential and needs experienced adopters who will be able to help him along the way and give him lots of exercise – as well as the fuss and attention he deserves.

Find out more about Drizzle here.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Buster.

Age: 12 years old.

Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Sex: Male.

Likes: Sitting on a lap for cuddles. 

Dislikes: Being left alone for long periods.

About: Don’t let his grey face fool you – Buster is 12 years fun, and still loves getting out and about on his daily walks.

Sadly, his beloved owner passed away which is how he ended up at the kennel, and he’s been having a tough time settling in. He’s affectionate with people and would benefit from joining a loving family soon.

Buster is sociable with other dogs and could live with a compatible companion after a successful meet at the centre, and he could also live with children aged 13 years and over.

Find out more about Buster here.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Henley.

 Age: 5 years old.

 Breed: Lurcher.

Sex: Female.

Likes: An endless supply of cuddles.

 Dislikes: Being apart from her people for too long.

 About: Sweet-natured Henley was cruelly thrown out of the back of a van before coming to the RSCPA, and while the culprits were never found, it hasn’t dampened her shine.

She’s a serious lover of snuggles, and is looking for an individual or a family with children over the age of eight to start her new life with.

While she can’t live with cats, small animals or small dogs, she is friendly with larger breeds on walks, and has previously lived with other lurchers.

Find out more about Henley here.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Cheddar.

Age: 3 years old.

Breed: Husky cross.

Sex: Male.

Likes: Hanging out with his favourite humans.

Dislikes: Being misunderstood.

About: Poor Cheddar has had a tough start to life and was brought to the shelter via an inspector who discovered his needs were not being met.

Cheddar needs will need experienced adopters who can tackle his insecurities and give him plenty of support to bring out the best in him.

Once he’s comfortable he is a very affectionate and loyal dog who will make a wonderful companion for the right person.

Find out more about Cheddar here.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Hedgehog.

Age: 14 months old.

Breed: Large crossbreed.

Sex: Male.

Likes: Socialising with other dogs.

Dislikes: New places which can be a bit intimidating at first.

About: Hedgehog is a ‘super friendly lad who can bring a smile to your face in an instant’, but unfortunately he missed out on the chance to properly be a puppy.

For this reason, he’ll need patient and experienced adopters who can make him feel comfortable in new situations, and can support him through some of his insecurities. Once bonded however, he’s a loyal and loving dog.

Hedgehog is a sociable boy, and relishes the company of other dogs – ideally he’ll be able to live with another confident dog in an adult-only home.

Find out more about Hedgehog here.

(Image: RSPCA)

Name: Lady.

 Age: Around 1 years old.

 Breed: Dobermann/Mastiff Cross.

Sex: Female.

Likes: Being active and getting lots of exercise.

 Dislikes: Meeting new people – especially children – at first.

 About: Lady is the definition of a gentle giant, as this nervous girl can find new situations and people quite frightening. However, once her confidence has built she’s a happy and playful pup, who loves to stay active.

She’ll need an adult-only household where someone is home most of the time, and who can help her realise the world isn’t so scary after all.

Lady is very good with other dogs and gains confidence around them so it would be beneficial if she could live with another neutered dog who can show her the ropes, and be a companion for her.

Find out more about Lady here.

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A shared office space in Harrogate has issued an urgent plea for help after an injured pigeon was found in the building this morning.

Staff at Community House on East Parade discovered the young bird hiding behind a box in reception this morning.

They turned a cardboard box into a makeshift home and are attempting to keep it alive while help is found.

Karen Weaver, strategic lead at Harrogate and District Community Action, which is based in the building and has responsibility for it, said:

“We’re keeping it hydrated but it’s not keen to eat so far.  So if any one can offer it a good home and more expert knowledge than we have here we’d love to hear from them ASAP.”

Staff at Community House, which has 30 serviced offices, believe the pigeon was dislodged when the building’s gutters were cleaned yesterday.

https://twitter.com/KarenWeaver2020/status/1643572483977629696

They think the bird is too young to fly and contacted animal welfare charity the RSPCA but it was unable to help.

Ms Weaver said:

“We need someone to give it some TLC, help it feed and drink, hopefully survive and thrive and then fly off.

“We’ve got interest from the teenage daughter of one of our team  but mum would be happy for it to be rehomed elsewhere if we can find someone willing this afternoon.

“We get lots of requests for help here at Community House but we’ve not had one from a homeless bird before!”

Community House reception can be contacted on 01423503700.

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The RSPCA has said that two dogs who were so thin their ribs were protruding when police seized them are now healthy and seeking new homes.

Rocco, a mastiff, and Smudge, a lurcher, were taken from a home in Harrogate when Robbie Nelson refused to sign them over to the animal welfare charity last year.

A vet who examined the dogs concluded both animals were malnourished.

He gave Rocco a one out of nine score on a body condition test, which is classed as a state of emaciation, while Smudge scored two out of nine.

Robbie Nelson, 24, of Woodfield View, was banned from keeping animals for five years when he appeared in court in July.

Read more:

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His brother Charlie Nelson, 28, of Woodfield View, Harrogate, was also disqualified from owning pets for five years when he was sentenced this month.

RSPCA inspector Tom Hutton found the dogs underweight and living in accommodation littered with household waste, scrap bikes and dog faeces when he was called out by police to a flat on Starbeck High Street on March 18, 2021.

The flat was covered in dog faeces.

The RSPCA said today that under its care, Rocco and Smudge have returned to a healthy weight and condition and the charity will “now look to find them loving new owners”.

Inspector Hutton said:

“We thank North Yorkshire Police for alerting us to the dreadful situation Rocco and Smudge were in. It meant we were able to rescue them and now we will be able to find them new homes where they are loved and cared for.”

Rocco (left) and Smudge now, looking healthy and seeking new homes.

A Harrogate man has been disqualified from owning pets for five years after being found guilty of neglecting two dogs.

Charlie Nelson, 28, of Woodfield View, was found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard Nelson did not take reasonable steps to look after a mastiff called Rocco and a lurcher called Smudge at High Street, Harrogate, on March 18 last year.

Court documents reveal he was banned from keeping animals “to ensure no animals suffer at the hands of the defendant during this period”.

They also show an order was made under section 33 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 depriving him of ownership of a dog and for its disposal.

Nelson was also ordered to pay costs of £200 and a surcharge of £95 to fund victims’ services.

Read more:

• Malnourished dogs found in Harrogate flat covered in faeces and urine
• Harrogate man banned from keeping animals for five years

North Yorkshire Police issued warrants in July for the arrest of Nelson and his brother Robbie Nelson after they failed to turn up in court to face animal cruelty charges.

Robbie Nelson, 24, of Woodfield View, was subsequently banned from keeping animals for five years.

The RSPCA said Rocco and Smudge were malnourished and living in a flat covered in faeces and with carpets soaked in urine.

An RSPCA picture of the flat where the brothers kept dogs.

A Harrogate man has been banned from keeping animals for five years after being found guilty of cruelty.

Robbie Nelson, 24, neglected a Mastiff called Rocco and a Lurcher called Smudge at a house on High Street, Harrogate, in March last year.

The case was brought by animal charity the RSPCA.

Nelson failed to turn up in court to respond to the charges on December 17 last year and was found guilty in his absence.

Police issued a warrant for his arrest on the same day and eventually arrested him in June.

He was then remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Nelson, of Woodfield View, Harrogate, appeared before North Yorkshire Magistrates Court in York on Tuesday for sentencing.

Magistrates disqualified him from owning or being left in charge of any animal for five years.

He was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a £95 surcharge to fund victim services, and was given a community order to undertake rehabilitation activity.

The RSPCA will decide what to do with Rocco and Smudge.

North Yorkshire Police has said it will refer the owner of four dogs who were left inside a baking hot car to the RSCPA.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that bystanders at Oak Beck Retail Park off Skipton Road had to smash a Land Rover Discovery window to free the dogs.

They had been trapped for over half an hour without even a window open.

Fortunately, there were vets working at the nearby Vets4Pets, which is inside Pets At Home.

The Labradors were given treatment and after a health check that showed they were OK, were handed back to the owner.

But that might not be the end of the matter. A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson has confirmed that an officer spoke to the male owner and will refer the incident to the RSPCA.

A spokesperson said:

“Members of the public witnessed the dogs being left unattended with the windows up and seemingly without air conditioning for around 30 minutes.

“One of them smashed a window on the vehicle and the dogs were taken into the care of a vet.

“Police spoke to the owner of the dogs and are due to report him to the RSPCA.”

Read more:

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What powers does the RSPCA have?

A Harrogate family was left stunned yesterday after their beloved family cat Django was found — five years after they thought they had lost him forever.

Lisa Watson and her husband used to live off Knaresborough Road with Django, a black and white puss they had owned for over two years.

The cat was microchipped but one day Django disappeared and never returned.

Lisa, who had a close bond with her pet, was frantic with worry.

She joined Facebook groups, printed posters and went out every night for four weeks looking for her.

She even went to see a clairvoyant who told her that Django had been killed and she should move on. She said:

“It broke my heart. I thought, that’s my closure, I’m never going to see him again.”

When Django went missing, Lisa was five months pregnant and she said the stress of losing the cat contributed to her giving birth two months early.

But years later, she never stopped thinking about Django and wondered if he was still out there.

The family moved to a different part of the Harrogate district but whenever they were in the area they used to live, they would take a detour to see if they could spot Django.

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Fateful phone call

Everything changed yesterday when Lisa had a phone call from her husband. He cryptically asked her what phone call would she never expect to receive.

She immediately responded with: “Finding Django”.

Django had been found at Fodder by the Great Yorkshire Showground, and after her microchip was scanned by a local vet, it led her back to Lisa.

When she picked Django up, he did not look like a cat that had been struggling to survive in the wild. He was well fed and decidedly chunky.

She described the emotional reunion with the affectionate mog.

“He leaped into my arms, picked up his head and nuzzled my face.”

Lisa and Django have a lot of catching up to do. The family now has some other cats and a five-year-old son who is delighted to have a new pet.

Lisa said:

“If Django doesnt wander off again he’ll be mine for life.

“It’s like when people get reunited there are mixed emotions. You’re glad but you’re strangers again. A lot has happened, there are new family members and the dynamic has changed!”

Lisa urged anyone who sees a cat they think might be a stray to get their microchip checked by a vet. It could help another family be reunited with their long-lost pet.

A Harrogate man has been found guilty of mistreating two pet dogs.

Robbie Nelson, 23, of Woodfield View, appeared before magistrates in York yesterday.

He was accused of failing to provide a suitable environment for a mastiff type dog called Rocco and a lurcher type dog called Smudge.

The case was brought by animal charity the RSPCA.

Nelson failed to turn up in court to respond to the charges on December 17 last year and was found guilty in his absence.

Police issued a warrant for his arrest on the same day and finally arrested him on Sunday.

At yesterday’s hearing, he was remanded on bail until June 28 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.