Dog finds forever home after 500-day stay at Chichester RSPCA centre
Toyah was Mount Noddy's longest-serving resident
Last updated 27th Oct 2020
A German Shepherd who spent 500 days waiting for new owners at a Chichester animal rescue centre is settling into life in a new forever home.
Toyah arrived at Mount Noddy in Eartham back in April 2019, after being transferred by an inspector due to behavioural issues which caused concern for her previous owners.
She needed extensive care, training and management from staff to help prepare her for a new home, after being left muzzled for long periods of time following a difficult start to her life.
Following a difficult start in life, Toyah has now found a new forever home thanks to the hard work of the team at the centre.
German Shepherds are typically known to experience anxiety when in a kennel environment, this coupled with the breeds’ guarding behaviours meant a full management plan had to be drawn up by the centre's Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, Sarah Carden.
The centre also called in other behavioural experts to provide additional support.
Despite her anxiety, the calming effect of the dedicated team helped curb Toyah’s excessive barking and behaviour that may have prevented her from finding a new owner.
Her progress was monitored throughout the programme and Toyah was transformed from a nervous dog that appeared aggressive to being welcoming and friendly.
In the time that Toyah was at Mount Noddy, 73 other dogs were rehomed but thanks to the training and care provided, she is now living with her new owners and following a careful settling-in process.
Susan Botherway, Animal Centre Manager at Mount Noddy, said:
“Toyah is a firm favourite with the whole team of staff and volunteers at Mount Noddy and although we’ll miss her, we’re thrilled that she’s found a new home.
We’ve kept in touch with the adopters to monitor her progress and make sure they have all the advice and support needed, but Toyah has settled in beautifully.
We believe she will be very happy and thrive with her new family, and that’s always the most rewarding part of our work.”
Mount Noddy recently launched a major fundraising campaign to address the shortfall due to the closure of its retail outlets during lockdown.
The dedicated team has continued to care for animals at the centre, despite at times lacking the usual volunteers to provide extra support.
Details on the work of the centre and how to make a donation or find out more about the animals in their care are available online at www.rspcasussexchichester.org.uk.