ANIMAL lovers are being urged to give a dog a home and a second chance at life.

Dogs Trust Evesham is seeking caring new owners for its “sticky” dogs – canines who have been in their care for six months or more – and help them become “unstuck”.

They can become sticky for a variety of reasons including medical issues requiring treatment, age, socialisation or behaviour issues requiring treatment or just being overlooked.

About 15 of the 99 dogs at the rehoming centre have been seeking a new home for six months or more and staff are making a special appeal on behalf of two of its stickiest residents, Jack and Keeley.

Eight-year-old Jack is an older crossbreed who still has plenty of energy. He loves to learn new tricks and will do anything for a tasty treat.

He can be a bit nervous of strangers, which is why he has not yet caught the attention of visitors to the rehoming centre.

He will need a sympathetic new home where he can be helped to adjust and overcome his worries.

Meanwhile, Keeley, is a five-year-old “very loving” black lurcher. She has good basic training and is housetrained.

She loves to play fetch and does not require much exercise and would like a home where she will not be left on her own for more than a couple of hours a day. She will also need experienced owners who are able to cope with her over-exuberance when out on a lead. She would be best as the only pet in an adult-only home or a home with older teenagers.

Chris Slight, Dogs Trust Evesham rehoming centre manager, said: “Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there are some dogs we know will fly out of our rehoming centres.

“Those dogs that fit people’s idea of what a rescue dog should look like – a scruffy, medium-sized crossbreed with a cheeky look will always find a home quickly.

“Dogs that have a limb missing are often popular as people really feel they are helping to ‘rescue’ a dog.

“Similarly a dog that is friendly and approaches the front of his kennel wagging his tail or trying to lick or sniff their hands when people walk past, will get rehomed far faster than a dog that remains at the back of the kennel or doesn’t make eye contact.

“Although puppies are perennially popular, middle aged dogs are also a popular choice as the owner knows ‘what they are getting’.

“The hard work of toilet training and socialisation has been done and the dog can often fit into a household without the owners having to completely change their routine. It is older or ‘teenage’ dogs that can be harder to rehome.”

Anyone interested in rehoming a dog can call the centre on 01386 830613 or visit dogstrust.org.uk.