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Team effort helps Angel the American Bulldog find forever home
'Loving and gentle' Angel found rehoming difficult due to confusions over breed
A 'loving pooch with a big heart' has found her forever home after spending more than three years waiting for adoption.
Angel, nine, is now settling in with her new owner Carolyn Murray, of Liverpool, who noticed how 'something just clicked' when she learned of the American Bulldog's story while visiting Dogs Trust Merseyside in Knowsley.
The rehoming centre took Angel in during early 2022 after a change in her previous family's circumstances left her spending long periods of time alone.
Described as 'loving and gentle' by the charity, Angel quickly built strong bonds with the dedicated rehoming staff, but due to nervousness around some men, the team knew finding a right home would take time.
It took 20 times longer than usual to find Angel a permanent home, which was attributed in part to American Bulldogs being caught up in uncertainty around XL Bully legislation, despite American Bulldogs being a completely different - and legal - breed.
Life in kennels for Angel was a struggle and her luck turned when superhero volunteer foster carers Katie and Tom Gibson, of Winsford, welcomed Angel into their home, providing a calm and stable environment where Angel showed off her qualities as fully house-trained, quiet and easy-going, and she thrived as what was meant to be a short-term placement became an 18-month foster stay.
Angel’s forever home came when Carolyn Murray visited Dogs Trust Merseyside with her family.
After recently losing her own dog, she hadn’t planned to adopt, but a display highlighting Angel’s long wait caught her attention.
After several successful visits, Angel moved in with Carolyn and her family permanently, and the change was immediate.
Her new family noticed how relaxed and happy she was at home compared to the stress she experienced in kennels.
Carolyn said: "After losing my dog, I really didn’t think I was ready to adopt again.
We only visited Dogs Trust Merseyside to have a look around, but when I saw Angel’s story and how long she had been waiting, something just clicked.
"Meeting her changed everything.
"She settled into our home so quickly and it was amazing to see how different and relaxed she was compared to the kennel environment.
"Adopting Angel has been such a positive experience and we feel incredibly lucky to have her as part of our family."
Georgina Lowery, Dogs Trust Merseyside rehoming centre manager, said: "We are over the moon that Angel is starting the new year in a new, permanent home.
"Sadly, Angel spent more than 1,300 with us, during which time she proved to be a massive hit with the team.
"She is such a loving pooch; a big dog with a big heart and we are so pleased she has found a home with Carolyn and her family who we are sure will show her how good life can be.
"Angel’s story shows just how life-changing foster care can be.
"Without the support of our volunteer foster families, dogs like Angel may struggle to cope with long stays in kennels.
"Foster carers give dogs the chance to show who they really are in a home environment, which can make all the difference in helping them find their forever home.
"We’re absolutely delighted that Angel has finally found the loving home she deserves."
A Dogs Trust spokesperson said the charity is facing a record number of enquiries from people considering handing over their pet, and with rehoming centres feeling the strain, more than ever volunteer foster carers are needed to provide a temporary home for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes.
Foster carers open their homes to dogs on a temporary basis until they are matched with their forever families.
All costs are covered by Dogs Trust, including food, bedding and vet treatment.
All foster carers must be 18 years or over and either have their own garden or access to an outside space.
Foster dogs cannot live in homes with cats or with children under 10 years of age.
Find out more about fostering at www.dogstrust.org.uk (opens new tab).
