A Dutch Shepherd called Mia has been named ‘Britain’s most unwanted pet’ after spending a record 700 days in the care of the RSPCA.
Her prolonged stay has highlighted the deepening rehoming crisis across England and Wales.
Despite being described by staff as a loving, kind, and affectionate dog, Mia has become the country’s most unwanted pet, according to the charity. The RSPCA, however, hopes that this will soon change as part of their annual Adoptober rehoming campaign.
Mia, currently under the care of the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire, is one of 118 dogs, cats, and other animals in the charity’s national rehoming centres who have been waiting for over 100 days to find a new home. Mia recently celebrated her fifth birthday in care, and staff are keen to find her a loving, experienced owner who can provide the long-awaited forever home she deserves.
According to newly released data from the RSPCA, the average time that dogs, cats, and rabbits wait for adoption has increased by more than a third over the past five years, rising from 31.7 days in 2019 to 41.4 days in 2023. As a result, many rehoming centres are now operating at full capacity, with some animals housed in costly emergency boarding centres while waiting for space to become available.
Karen Colman, head of the RSPCA’s rehoming team, made a heartfelt appeal to the public, urging potential adopters to consider animals that have been waiting the longest. She said: “We have so many wonderful dogs, cats, and rabbits who are sitting patiently in rescue centres through no fault of their own. They are waiting for the next chapter of their lives to begin, and that cannot happen without the public coming forward to offer them homes.”
A significant factor behind the long stays of many animals in RSPCA care is that the charity’s 14 national centres prioritise pets rescued from cruelty and neglect. These animals often need more time and specialised veterinary and behavioural care to recover before they can be rehomed. Consequently, they require experienced owners who are able to continue their rehabilitation at home.
The situation has reached a crisis point, with the RSPCA struggling to find homes for pets, resulting in a bottleneck. This prevents newly rescued animals from being brought into rehoming centres as existing residents continue to wait for adoption. Mia’s case is particularly heartbreaking for the staff who have been caring for her. Claire Hoffman, who looks after Mia at Southridge Animal Centre, described her as a “one in a million dog,” who, despite a difficult start in life, has grown into a lovely companion. Mia’s early life was spent in foster care as a puppy before she moved into kennels, where staff have worked with her on a training plan.
Sadly, despite numerous press and social media appeals, Mia has not yet found a home. Claire said: “Mia’s long wait makes me want to weep – because what more can we do to encourage people to adopt her? She’s on our website, all over social media, and we speak to everyone about her. We just hope her fortunes will change during Adoptober.”
Mia is seeking an adult-only home, ideally with space both indoors and outdoors. She may be able to live with a male dog, but the key is finding someone who is committed to helping her transition into a home environment.
As the RSPCA continues its Adoptober campaign, they hope to finally secure Mia a place in a loving home – the ultimate birthday present for this long-overlooked dog.