No sign of a home yet for deaf puppy

Friendly pooch is learning special sign language to help her find a home after being in rescue kennels for six long months

A sparky young dog at RSPCA Block Fen animal centre is still looking for a new home six months after she arrived, and staff suspect the dog’s deafness is the reason.

The striking white English bull terrier crossbreed, named Tilly, has been through a rough few months.

Passed from home to home before landing on her paws at RSPCA Block Fen in Cambridgeshire, Tilly (pictured right with her friend and fellow rescue dog Percy) has been

learning special sign language and getting to grips with her impaired hearing while waiting to find her forever home.

Serena Moore, animal care assistant at RSPCA Block Fen said: “I have been looking after Tilly since she came to us and she really is one of the best dogs I have ever worked with. The average time it takes a rescue dog to find a home through the RSPCA at the moment is just over a month, so poor Tilly really deserves to find hers now she’s been here almost six.

“She really is the sweetest girl you will ever meet, she is possibly the happiest dog in the world too! She adores other dogs and is really playful, in fact, her deafness doesn’t affect her demeanour in any way so we really can’t believe she’s been overlooked so many times.

“Tilly would love a home with another playful dog that she can become best buds with. Of course as she is deaf everything is much more visually stimulating for her and she is easily distracted so she does need a family who is prepared to really get involved and creative with her training. She is very good around children but as she is very excited by sight stimulation which can distract her from her training, we think it would be best that if she were rehomed to a family, it would be to older children, as she would benefit from a nice, calm environment.”

Serena added: “The ideal home for Tilly would be with someone who has experience of deaf dogs, or those who are familiar with English Bull Terrier, however though she’s still only young, Tilly is house trained and very well mannered, and she loves her walk so an active home would be perfect.

“We’d really like to hear from anybody who thinks they might be able to offer Tilly the perfect home. They can call us on 0300 123 0726.”

To support the work of the RSPCA and help the charity continue to rescue animals in need please text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).