This November why not consider opening your home and your heart to a Staffordshire bull terrier, as Jerry Green Dog Rescue celebrates Staffie Appreciation Month?

During Staffie Appreciation Month the charity wants to share a few stories of overlooked Staffies who have shown their ‘forever homes’ how funny, playful and loving they can be.

Jacqui Bell, Chief Executive at Jerry Green Dog Rescue, said: “Staffies are like any other breed, they’re not always perfect, but a well socialised dog can make a wonderful addition to a family.

“Staffies have plenty of little quirks; such as most of them hate the rain, probably because they’d rather be cuddled up by the fire!

“Each dog has its own special character, but the plus points of Staffies include their adorable faces, well known Staffie smiles and sense of adventure.

“Staffies have been lumbered with a bad reputation for all kinds of reasons based more on image than fact and this can make re-homing them really difficult sometimes. Fortunately, we are here to find people who can who can see past the stereotype and end up caring deeply for the breed.”

Someone who has been able to do just that is Bethany Burke (23), Kennel Welfare Assistant for Jerry Green Dog Rescue in Broughton, North Lincolnshire. She said: “Reggie came to Jerry Green from a kennel for stray dogs and quickly became one of our much-loved resident Staffies. I agreed to take him home for the weekend, which was as much a treat for me as it was for him!

“He settled into a home environment so well that he seemed like a completely different dog, it was amazing to see. I became so attached that I decided to extend Reggie’s stay, and one week soon turned into another, and then another.

“Before I knew it I was getting jealous each time I was told he had a visitor at our Centre in North Lincs., until – you guessed it – I finally gave in and made Reggie my own.

“He’s a wonderful addition to our family, he watches rugby with my Dad and enjoys walks, play and snuggles with me. Rehoming Reggie (now eight) has really opened my eyes to adopting an older dog and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

Ten-year-old Patrick is another Staffie success story; having quickly changed the perceptions of his new owner he has spent the last six months enjoying his new home.

Sandy Harding said: “Initially I had strong reservations about adopting a Staffie, but from day one I was struck by how intelligent and funny Patrick is.

“He smiles a lot, and particularly loves his walks and tummy rubs. He is brilliant on and off the lead and is very good with children and other dogs. He has never once shown any hint of aggression, and prefers cuddles to confrontation.

“We have grown to love our little lad, who has proved all the critics wrong about owning a Staffie, and I am certain he is as grateful as we are that our paths crossed.”

The North Lincolnshire Centre in Broughton is currently looking for a forever home for Sooty, a four-year old Staffie who arrived from a stray kennel in early October.

Rebecca Issott, Broughton centre Manager, said: “Sooty is a lovely playful boy who enjoys cuddles and plenty of treats. He adores people and is great with adults and older children but could benefit from some further dog-to-dog socialisation so that he can make more doggy friends.

“If Sooty sounds like the perfect addition to your family please get in touch.”

For more information about the dogs looking for a forever home please visit: www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk or get in touch with your local centre via: www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk/RescueCentres

Ends

Notes to editors:
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue was founded in 1961 in Broughton, Lincolnshire and is now one of the UK’s largest dog rescue charities.
• Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a caring ethos which puts the dogs in its care at the centre of everything it does. It also operates a policy whereby prospective adopters are introduced to dogs in a neutral environment away from the kennel, resulting in less stress for the dog and increasing the chances of permanent homes being found.
• The adoption process at Jerry Green Dog Rescue involves a number of introductory visits and the rehoming team provide pre and post adoption support to ensure the move to the dog’s new home is as smooth as possible.
• The charity receives no Government or National Lottery funding. This means it is dependent on the generosity of public and corporate donors/sponsors.

For media information please contact:
Kerri Saxby
Shooting Star
01522 528540
kerri@weareshootingstar.co.uk