An unlucky dog in the RSPCA’s care for nearly 600 days is looking for a forever home.
The organisation has appealed to the public to help its longest-staying canine resident, three-year-old Mia, who has been staying at an Adelaide shelter for nearly two years, find a home.
Mia has been adopted three times over her stay at the shelter, but returned each time, for reasons that were not her fault.
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“Her first adopter decided she was too big, her second adopter’s co-residents didn’t want her and her third adopter ended up having some personal issues that meant she was no longer able to care for Mia,” RSPCA SA foster care manager Sam Margrave said.
The RSPCA said Mia may have been abused by someone before she was surrendered to the shelter initially. Margrave said Mia has come a long way, and is ready for adoption.
Her total stay at the shelter is the longest in the organisation’s 153-year history.
“She was incredibly fearful and timid when she first came to our Lonsdale shelter,“ Margrave said.
“Whatever her past life story is, the dog who arrived at our shelter 19 months ago is not the dog we have now.
“Mia has learnt to trust people again — it’s been incredibly heart-warming to witness her transformation.
“I guarantee I won’t be the only one crying when this very special dog finds her forever home.”
Mia is currently in the care of foster carer Rhapsody Auckett, who said she is a delight to have at home.
“(She’s) a very, very good companion. She’s loyal, she’s loving, she’s affectionate,” Auckett said.
The RSPCA said Mia is best suited to a home with older children and no other dogs.
It said Mia was currently on medications for a common dog skin condition and anxiety, that would cost her new owner about $225 a month.
The shelter is offering to pay for Mia’s medication for a year to help her find a new home.
It will also support her new owner with a one-on-one consultation with RSPCA SA’s dog training team and ongoing communication with the organisation’s animal behaviour team.
“Once she’s settled into her new home, we’re very hopeful that Mia’s anxiety will continue to improve so that her medication can be reduced – she is already on lower dosages than she was.” Margrave said.
