Campaign is launched to find homes for Staffies
The Scottish SPCA today launches a national campaign to encourage potential dog owners in the Highlands to think about taking on a Staffordshire bull terrier dog after new research revealed three quarters of Scottish adults wouldn't consider offering the breed a home.
Scotland's first ever Staffie Awareness Week runs from October 1 to 7 and encourages people to come along to the charity's Highlands and Islands Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Inverness to meet some of the gentle and affectionate staffies in its care.
Almost half the dogs rescued and cared for by the Scottish SPCA are Staffordshire bull terriers or similar crossbreeds and the charity says it is disappointed, but not surprised by the response.
Of those surveyed who said they would consider rehoming a dog, only 13% said they were likely to consider taking on a Staffordshire bull terrier or staffie cross. A staggering 75% said they were unlikely to give a staffie a home while 12% were undecided.
The Scottish SPCA has also revealed that it takes twice as long to rehome a staffie compared to other breeds of dog. A Staffordshire bull terrier will spend, on average, 54 days in the charity's care before it is found a new home, while all other breeds take an average of 26 days to be rehomed.
Currently there are 93 Staffordshire bull terriers and staffie crossbreeds waiting for a loving home at the Scottish SPCA's animal rescue and rehoming centres throughout Scotland.
Manager of the charity's Highlands and Islands Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Elaine Floyd, said: "The results of our research aren't surprising, though they are very disappointing.
"Many of those who told us they wouldn't take on a staffie said it was because they think the breed is dangerous and can't be trusted.
"This is sadly a reflection of what we often hear when people visit our rescue centres and say they are looking for a dog but it can't be a staffie.
"Yet the Staffordshire bull terrier is inherently no more aggressive than any other breed of dog. In fact, staffies tend to be gentle, affectionate and loyal and it's a tragedy so many of these fantastic dogs are in kennels and usually have to wait longer than other breeds to find new homes.”
She added: "We never put a healthy animal to sleep and the strain on our resources is incredible as it seems every time we find a staffie a home one or two more arrive in our care in need of our help.
"Irresponsible dog ownership is the key issue, with over-breeding leading to huge numbers of unwanted staffies and far too many of the breed being owned by people who do not make sure their dogs are under control and well behaved in public."
Elaine added, "Staffie Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to emphasise why staffies make wonderful pets.
"Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been mistreated and need particular homes but we also have many staffies who would suit a family home with children and pets.
"We'd like to invite anyone thinking of taking on a dog to visit our centre as we're sure if they spent just a small amount of time with a staffie they'd see what great dogs they can be."
Anyone interested in offering a staffie a good home can call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 or visit scottishspca.org/rehoming.
