Will Duke ever find a home? Dog still looking for home after seeing 700 others re-homed since he arrived at the animal shelter

Rainbow Rescue and Re-Homing Centre have issued an emotional appeal in an attempt to find a new home for Duke the Collie who is still with the centre after seeing 700 other dogs re-homed before him.

Duke has made big strides since his arrival at the centre and staff now want to help him find his forever home after being passed over so many times before.

A spokesperson for the Rainbow Centre said: "We are hoping that you would like to help us, we are trying to find Duke our long term dog, the new home he is so desperately seeking, despite numerous appeals, unfortunately no home has been offered yet.

"Duke is one of the many dogs we have rescued from our local council dog pound, and sadly just like Duke, many of them have been unwanted Collie type pets. As well as rescuing from the local  dog pound, we are contacted on a daily basis by owners seeking to rehome their pets for numerous reasons and sadly yet again many are Collie type breeds.

"We find many pets end up unwanted because of the time commitment they need or the costs of looking after them, in particular emergency treatment if required. In recent months we’ve had two unwanted pet dogs come into our care, both dogs had been involved in RTA’s and both of them sadly had to have a leg amputated.

"Another increasing common reason of rehoming is because of behavioural issues caused by the lack of socialisation or basic training. In this case many owners chose to give up on their pet choosing the easy option of re-homing instead of seeking advice from a trainer or behaviourist. Many don’t know that free training advice is available on the Dogs Trust website www.dogstrust.org.uk .

"If only those unwanted pet owners had done their research on responsible dog ownership, the time commitment involved, the financial responsibility and the needs of the breed, dogs like Duke would not be appealing desperately for their second chance.

"As an unwanted pet Duke came into our care almost 2 years ago and since arriving has seen approximately 700 dogs come and go through the same gates that he arrived through on 17/08/2015. Each one of those dogs deserved their new beginning and we think it’s time our special boy Duke had his.

"When Duke first arrived at the Centre he was petrified and found the kennel life stressful but in the months that followed the staff that cared for him daily gained his trust. Today Duke is our dearest friend, he is a loyal and intelligent dog who has also captured the hearts of some of our more experienced volunteer dog walkers. And although he is an affectionate and loving dog around those he knows and trusts, initially with strangers he is extremely unsure.

"Duke, for now, has had to find peace in his daily routines and we recently acquired the services of Robert Duddy at Drumagore Dog Training to ensure that we were doing everything possible to make Dukes Centre life as stress free as possible. It’s been a real team effort with Duke, the staff and volunteers working extremely hard. We hope that this is the first steps to finding Duke his forever home.

"Those willing to make the time commitment needed to gain his trust and offer him a chance to get to know you, will get to know the same beautiful dog that we all know. Quite often a rescue animal’s true personality cannot be seen at the Centre and in Dukes case this is very true. Leaving his pen to go on his daily adventures his rescue life is forgotten for a short time and Dukes true personality and spirit can be seen.

"He adores his walks and sitting on the village garden seat watching the world pass him by with one of his favourite dog walkers whilst always seeking that next new adventure to fulfil that endless energy and thirst for life that all Collies have.

"Returning to the Centre we try our best to spend as much quality time with him as possible and Duke accepts that for now but hopes with every new rescue day that a new owner comes to see him.

"Duke seeks an experienced owner, who will be committed to gaining his trust. He would be most suited to someone who has an active lifestyle and a home with no children or other dogs."

If interested in offering Duke a home please visit the centre during opening hours 12-4pm Tuesday to Sunday or call 028 71812882.