The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of rescue animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month, Batman, Lux, and Cheeky Pekey are three furry friends looking for someone to adopt them.

Batman

Age: 2 to 5 years

Batman’s Story: Batman is a lovely four-year-old Labrador, ready to find his forever home. He is very affectionate and lots of fun to be around. He loves his toys and has a lot of potential.

Temperament: Batman is very strong on the lead, so he is looking for owners who will be able to keep up with him! As well as being able to hold onto him, he’d really benefit from owners that can teach him how to walk on a loose lead using positive, reward-based training (the Dogs Trust can help you with this).

Ideal home: Batman has a history of guarding his blankets and bones, so he needs owners who are prepared to manage this and follow a training plan. He can be homed with people aged 16 years and older. He is dog social, but he’d prefer to be the only pet. An enclosed garden would be really beneficial to help Batman along with his training.

If you want to take Batman on adventures, contact The Dogs Trust. 

Lux

Age: 10 Weeks

Lux’s Story: This little sweetheart arrived in rescue this week after her owners were unable to look after her. She clearly wasn’t well and was rushed to Crab Lane Vets, where she is being treated.

Temperament: Lux is a little poorly at the moment and is underweight. She needs lots of love and attention to get back on track so she can feel like herself again.

Ideal home: Lux needs a quiet home where she can recover and get her strength back. Somewhere where routines can be followed so she gets the love and attention she deserves.

Got a heart big enough to look after little Lux? Get in touch with Harrogate Cat Rescue. 

Cheeky Pekey

Age: Cheeky is an elderly dog.

Cheeky’s Story: This is Cheeky Pekey, one of four tiny little ones rescued from Romania and now looking for long-term foster care.

Temperament: Cheeky lives up to her name, she is the most courageous, wilful character, very clever,  full of life and twice as naughty! Although Cheeky is an older dog, you really wouldn’t think so.

Ideal home: Cheeky Pekey could live with another resident small dog, as she loves to cuddle another dog, but since she is tiny, it would need to be a small, friendly companion. She could also live as an only dog with someone at home most of the day. Cheeky enjoys a carry–walk and loves to pad around the garden.

Who wouldn’t want this ball of personality to keep them company? Call Miss Millies Rescue to find out more about Cheeky Pekey.

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month, Nala the dog, Machita the cat and furry rabbit friends Micro and Pocket need a home.

Nala

Age: 10 months

Nala’s Story: Nala is a very affectionate and loving dog once she knows you, but is very scared of new people and strangers.

Temperament:She is completely house trained and asks to go outside by standing by the door. She also knows basic commands such as sit, stay, wait and paw. Her recall and lead walking is generally pretty good unless she’s chasing something, though they will probably still require more work.

Ideal home:She is a beautiful dog who needs a loving, quiet home with no children or other dogs, and experienced people who are willing to work with her through some of her issues.

If you have the space in your heart for Nala, contact Miss Mollie’s Rescue. 

Machita

Age: 3 years old

Machita’s Story: Machita was unfortunately returned to the centre after being adopted as a kitten, this was no fault of her own. She is a very sweet girl who will make a fantastic addition to the family.

Temperament: She can be a little shy when meeting new people but it does not take her too long to get to know you and trust you. Machita is a playful cat who enjoys playing with her toys and interacting with her people, she misses being in a home environment.

Ideal home: Machita will need a nice quiet home where she can relax and enjoy life once again, we are looking for a home where she will be the only pet and any children will need to be aged 14 years and over.

Could you give Machita a forever home? Get in touch with RSPCA York, Harrogate & District Branch. 

Micro and Pocket

Age: 8 weeks

Micro and Pocket’s Story: Micro and Pocket came to the centre via an inspector at only 2 days old, they were lovingly hand reared by Helen and are now ready to find their forever home.

Temperament: They are very sweet little girls who have beaten the odds and are happy and healthy and will make the most fantastic addition to the family.

Ideal home: Micro & Pocket will need to live in the house for the time being while they are still so young, inside accommodation will happily be discussed with adopters by our re homing team. Micro and Pocket will be homed together.

If you have space for these furry friends, get in touch with RSPCA York, Harrogate & District Branch. 

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month, Poppy, Jake, Stanley and Doughnut are hoping they’ll have met someone to love them before Christmas.

Poppy

Age: 7 years old

Poppy’s story: Poppy has been living at Miss Mollie’s Rescue for around 5 years. Since being rescued from Romania, she was incredibly nervous, but was comfortable living in a house with the other dogs. She is currently unhappy in boarding kennels, and in desperate need of a foster carer.

Temperament: She is an affectionate dog once she gets to know you, and loves her home comforts, walks, and being around other dogs.

Ideal home: Poppy needs an owner with lots of patience who has experience with nervous dogs. She can live with cats and dogs in an adult home. Fostering Poppy means there is no need for an adoption donation, and Miss Mollie’s can help with any problems that may come up.

If you could help Poppy feel safe in a loving home, get in touch with Miss Mollie’s Rescue. 

Jake

Age: 7

Jake’s story: Jake has had a very unsettled life to date. He was originally handed over to Dogs Trust in 2015 when he was just one year old, due to his owners’ change of work commitments. He was rehomed in 2015 until 2019 when he was returned again after a change in personal circumstance for his owner.

Temperament: Jake is the sweetest and most loving boy. All his handlers adore him and can often be found in his kennel giving him extra cuddles. He is very happy when he is curled up on the sofa with a human friend.

Ideal home: His unsettled life has led to some anxieties, so Jake has been working on a special training programme which has worked brilliantly to build his confidence with new people. Jake needs an adult-only home with no children or visiting children and no other pets.

If you have room on your sofa for Jake, visit Dogs Trust Leeds.

Stanley & Doughnut

Age: 6 & 10

Stanley & Doughnut’s story: This loveable pair came to the RSPCA when their previous owner was moving and could not take them with her. Stanley (Jack Russell) and Doughnut (Beagle x) are very bonded to each other so will need adopters who will take them together.

Temperament: Both Stanley and Doughnut are such sociable boys who are eager to say hello to everyone who are willing to stop and see them. They love walks and human attention and will sit and get as much fuss and attention as they can possibly get. Stanley and Doughnut both love their food and snuggling up after a snack!

Ideal home: Stanley and Doughnut are suitable to live with other dogs, cats and children aged 6 years and over. They will need adopters who are happy to take them out for nice and interesting walks and adventures, but they can be left alone for short periods.

If Stanley and Doughnut could join your family, contact RSPCA York, Harrogate and District branch. 

Read More: 

• Stray Pets Rescue Club: Fraizer, Mavis and Foxy need your help
• Stray Pets Rescue Club: would you love Una, Albert or besties Zeb and Spike?

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month, Mavis the cat and dogs Foxy and Fraizer need your help.

Mavis

Age: 5 years old

Mavis’ story: When Mavis came to Harrogate Cat Rescue, there were suspicions she had been abused, and she was aggressive towards cats and other people.

Temperament: Over time and with plenty of patience, Mavis has learned to trust humans once again. She is now a loving and affectionate cat.

Ideal home: Mavis needs an adult only home, with someone who will give her time to adjust. She will also need access to a safe outdoor space once she’s ready.

If you could help Mavis feel safe in a loving home, contact Celia at Harrogate Cat Rescue on 07749 461042.

Foxy

Age: approx. 5 years old

Foxy’s story: Foxy has lived at Miss Mollie’s Rescue for a number of years as she needs a very specific home – but she is ready to find her new owners.

Temperament: Foxy is very affectionate, and loves having cuddles and lots of attention. Riding in the car and going for nice, quiet walks are her favourite things to do. She can get anxious and protective of her home, and needs reassurance.

Ideal home: Because Foxy prefers women to men, she will ideally live with a woman on her own with no visiting children. Foxy will need a quiet home, and an owner with lot of experience with rescue dogs.

If Foxy could become part of your family, get in touch with Miss Mollie’s Rescue. 

Frazier

Age: 11 years old

Fraizer’s story: Fraizer came to the RSPCA in a terrible condition; an untreated flea allergy left him with sore skin and the loss of half his fur. he’s now ready to start his new life with a new family.

Temperament: Fraizer is always happy to see and meet new people and is sociable with most other dogs (but can get a bit giddy!). He loves attention and snuggling up for fuss.

Ideal home: Fraizer is desperate to be in a loving home and part of the family. He can live with other dogs (after a successful meeting) and children aged over 10.

If you have a space in hour heart for Fraizer, contact RSPCA York, Harrogate and District branch. 

Read More: 

• Stray Pets Rescue Club: would you love Una, Albert or besties Zeb and Spike?
• Stray Pets Rescue Club: Olaf, Monty, Gracie & Georgia need a loving home

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, in desperate need of a loving home. Could you help Albert, Una, or best friends Zeb and Spike?

Una

Age: 4 years old

Una’s story: This beautiful girl arrived in Harrogate about a month ago from Romania. The volunteers at Miss Mollie’s Rescue think her owner turned her onto the streets, where she was caught by the dog catcher and thrown into the kill kennels.

Temperament: Una can be quite timid, but with some patience and time she will learn how to trust again.

Ideal home: Because of Una’s tough start in life, she will need a quiet, adult-only home. She’ll also need lots of patience, time and love to help build her trust and confidence.

If Una could become part of your family, get in touch with Miss Mollie’s Rescue. 

Zeb & Spike 

Age: 3 and 8 years old

Zeb & Spike’s story: These boys came to the RSPCA when they were abandoned by their previous owner, along with four other cats. They were all in a terrible condition and very hungry. They’ve now put weight on and are ready to enjoy life in their new home.

Temperament: Both Zeb and Spike can be a bit nervous when adjusting to a new environment. Spike (black) is more confident, and enjoys a fuss. Zeb will watch from a distance but come for a little fuss if he’s feeling brave; with Spike at his side, he’ll be just fine.

Ideal home: Zeb and Spike will need to remain as permanent house cats. They can live with other cats and children aged over 14 as long as they understand this pair will need time to settle in.

If you could help Zeb and Spike feel safe in a loving home, contact RSPCA York, Harrogate and District branch. 

Albert

Age: 14 months old

Albert’s story: Albert has had a tough time in his short life, and hasn’t;t been in a home since he was 10 days old. He’s had quite a sheltered life and isn’t used to the big, wide world.

Temperament: He can be a bit unsure of new people initially, but with a bit of time you’ll see his fun and affectionate personality shine through.

Ideal home: He’lll need a home with a secure garden with no other dogs, and a family who can be around him a lot of the time initially. Any children at home need to be over 13. Albert also has problems with his patellas that mean he’ll need restricted exercise long-term.

If Albert is the missing piece of your jigsaw, visit Dogs Trust Leeds.

Read More: 

• Stray Pets Rescue Club: Olaf, Monty, Gracie & Georgia need a loving home
• Stray Pets Rescue Club: cats Leah and Sox and Cynthia the dog need a loving home

A Harrogate mum lost £100 on a deposit for a Labrador puppy that she later discovered didn’t actually exist.

Jade Lockyer initially wanted a mobility support dog for her daughter Lacey, seven, who has spina bifida.

However, after struggling to find one she decided to get her daughter a puppy that could then be trained.

Ms Lockyer found an advert on the website Pets4Homes for puppies for £1,000, which she thought was a good price.

Read more:

• Family heartbreak over dog poisoning in Pateley Bridge
• Harrogate dog rescue worried about post-lockdown pets

A picture Jade received from the seller over WhatsApp

The seller said she was in Wakefield and when Ms Lockyer inquired she was told there was only one puppy left –  a golden female. She agreed to buy it, subject to viewing. She added:

“She said that I had to pay a deposit otherwise the puppy would go, as they are in such high demand at the moment.

“I didn’t feel too happy about this but my daughter had fallen in love with the photos and the woman really reassured me on the phone. She wanted £250 but we agreed on £100. I paid it and then asked for some more videos as we were so excited. She went very quiet on me and then when she did send a video, I just sensed something fishy.

“My daughter looked on YouTube and the same video was on there from 13 years ago. As soon as I asked her about it she blocked me.”

Lacey was “devastated” when she was given the news, said Ms Lockyer:

“She had named her and everything. Thinking back I actually think the scammer played up to the fact that my daughter was disabled, as I had told her all about what we wanted the puppy for and she knew how badly we wanted one.”

Miss Mollies Rescue charity said puppy scams were increasing due to covid.

Jeanne Thompson owner of the Harrogate dog rescue charity Miss Mollies Rescue, said covid had caused an increase in puppy scams. She added:

“It has risen because people are at home with more time on their hands, decide to get a puppy and there are not enough puppies to match the demand, so scammers are trying to profit on this.”

Ms Thompson advised potential owners:

• Don’t part with any money until you take the puppy home.
• Make sure the puppy is with its mother when you view.
• Remember that anyone who asks for a deposit upfront is probably a scammer

She added:

 “Most of the puppy scammers don’t actually have the puppies but the ones that do actually exist are being brought over from Ireland and abroad, so make sure the mother is there.”

With coronavirus cases set to rise this winter, the charity is urging puppy buyers to be vigilant.

A Pets4Homes spokesperson said more than seven million users looked for a pet on its website each month and it had the most rigorous systems in place of any comparable marketplace in the UK.

The spokesperson added:

“Pets4Homes has a zero tolerance approach to the unethical sale of animals and to any individuals behaving inappropriately.

“More than 225,000 animals were rehomed through Pets4Homes between June and August, and of the 0.1% of issues (concerning various matters) that were raised with its trust and safety team during this time, following investigation, there has not been a single confirmed report of puppy farming.”