A staggering 118 animals at RSPCA centres across England and Wales have been waiting over 100 days for a loving home, with one special dog enduring the longest wait of all.
Mia, a Dutch shepherd, has spent a record-breaking 700 days at the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire, making her the charity’s longest-stay resident. Despite her affectionate and loyal nature, Mia’s wait continues, highlighting the growing rehoming crisis across England and Wales.
RSPCA staff describe Mia’s plight as “heartbreaking and frustrating”, as she now holds the unfortunate title of the UK’s most overlooked dog.
But she is just one of hundreds of rescue animals in need of a new home, and with the average wait time increasing by 31% in the past five years, the need for adopters has never been greater.
Many centres are now at full capacity, leaving some animals in emergency boarding as they await their chance at a new life.
The rehoming struggle is particularly challenging for animals like Mia, who have been rescued from cruelty or neglect. These pets often require extra care and patience from experienced owners to help them overcome their past and adjust to a loving home.
Despite this, RSPCA staff remain hopeful that Mia’s luck will change during the charity’s 'Adoptober' campaign this October, aimed at finding homes for long-term residents like her.
Longest pet stays at each RSPCA centre
The following table shows the longest-stay animal at each national RSPCA centre across England and Wales.
| Ashley Heath, Hampshire | Pierre, dog | 127 days |
| Birmingham,West Midlands | Missy, dog | 519 days |
| Blackberry Farm, Buckinghamshire | Sirius, rabbit | 323 days |
| Block Fen, Cambridgeshire | Fenton, cat | 234 days |
| Bryn-y-Maen, North Wales | Annie and Hallie, rabbits | 350 days |
| Felledge, Durham | Zeus, dog | 150 days |
| Gonsal Farm, Shropshire | Tyson, dog | 130 days |
| Great Ayton, Middlesbrough | Betsy, dog | 247 days |
| Leybourne, Kent | Aspen and Aster, rabbits | 646 days |
| Millbrook, Surrey | Xena, dog | 148 days |
| Newport, South Wales | Sammy, dog | 121 days |
| Southridge, Hertfordshire | Mia, dog | 700 days |
| Stapeley Grange, Cheshire | Fox & Badger, cats | 12 days |
| West Hatch, Somerset | Sophie, dog | 52 days |
The RSPCA continues to appeal to animal lovers across the country to consider adopting these overlooked pets and give them the second chance they deserve.
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