Charity deluged with offers of homes for pets after Tele story

THEY were the abandoned animals who pulled at the heartstrings — and now they are on their way to finding their forever homes.

Earlier this week the Belfast Telegraph featured some unwanted dogs, puppies and badly neglected horses after the Christmas period.

The welfare manager at Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary says she has been overwhelmed with the response to Thursday morning’s article featuring the unwanted pets.

Margaret Wade, who said the phone hadn’t stopped ringing since the article appeared, was now hopeful of finding permanent owners for all the homeless dogs featured.

“The response has been tremendous,” she said.

“We’re so, so pleased that so many people have contacted us about the dogs that were featured, and hopefully within the next few weeks the majority of them will be off to their new families.” Appeal: Shelagh Gormley from Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary with Finn

Of the dogs seeking new homes after being abandoned at the shelter, it’s little Westie Scamp that is really catching the eye.

“They’re all lovely dogs, but there has been a lot of interest in Scamp, and Gareth the Spaniel, in particular,” said Margaret.

“But, as we always do, we will be starting a series of visits with potential families for all our dogs over the next few days.

“We like to make sure the dogs are going to go to the perfect home, so anyone interested will be meeting and greeting the dogs three times over the next few weeks.

“We do have to be careful. We like to make sure dogs and family are a good fit for each other.

“Vodski the Jack Russell needs an extra special family as he’s on a controlled diet, while Finn the Labrador is a big, strong, beautiful dog, so an adult home, maybe with teenagers to run around with him, would be ideal.

“Archer the Boxer/Labrador cross is still very nervous after what he was put through, but hopefully, when the meet and greets start, he will settle and find his family.”

Nine-month-old Archer spent most of his time as a puppy tied up in a barn and was never walked on a lead.

Margaret added: “We can’t thank the Belfast Telegraph enough for generating the interest.

“And if any of the dogs featured aren’t suitable for a family then there will, sadly, be others over the coming weeks.

“A lot of parents still think it’s a great idea to get the kids a puppy for Christmas without properly thinking about it.”