Latest -

07.01.09

A collie cross rehomed by the RSPCA Norfolk West Branch 11 years ago was found straying in Bradford, West Yorkshire, 140 miles from her original home.

Poppet, a small tri-coloured dog pictured above, was found as a stray by Bradford District Council's dog wardens on Friday, 12 December.

The local authority was unsuccessful in locating Poppet's owners because her microchip had not been updated. It showed that she was still registered to an owner in Sedgeford, near Hunstanton.

However, fortunately the microchip also held the branch's contact details and so the local authority called Penny Skate, Honorary Chairman of the RSPCA Norfolk West Branch.

Penny could not bear to think of Poppet possibly being put to sleep and decided to collect the dog and bring her back to Norfolk in the hope that the branch could find her a loving new home.

Microchips must be kept up-to-date
Microchips are one of the only permanent ways of identifying lost or stolen animals, but any change of address or contact details must be given to the chipping company.

Penny always leaves the branch's contact details on the microchips of each dog rehomed by the branch so that if the owner has not updated their details, there will always be a record of where the dog came from.

Other dogs found straying
While Penny was in Bradford, she also agreed to bring back a one-year-old English bull terrier called Hannah, a black collie cross puppy called Shellie, and a brown cross-breed puppy called Pud.

The three dogs, pictured above, were also found straying and, as their owners hadn't been found, were all in desperate need of new homes too.

Penny said: "I think the council were quite surprised that we were prepared to travel to Bradford, but I decided I had to do the right thing and give Poppet another chance at life."

New homes found already for Poppet and Pud
Poppet and Pud have both been given that chance already and have each happily found new homes.

Hannah and Shellie, however, have not been so lucky and are hoping that they'll find loving new owners willing to give them another chance at happiness soon.

If you think you can give Hannah (pictured left) or Shellie (pictured right) a loving new home, please contact the branch to find out more about the dogs and whether you might be a suitable owner.

photo © RSPCA