Old aged pooch nobody wants has lived in kennels for eight months

Jay the French bulldog cross
-Credit: (Image: Dogs Trust)


A poor mutt who found himself homeless at the ripe age of 12 is looking to prove there's life in the old dog yet as he searches for a new, loving home. Despite his friendly nature, Jay the French bulldog crossbreed has so far struggled to win the hearts of any potential owners visiting Dogs Trust Merseyside - as older dogs are often overlooked.

Jay has spent nearly eight months at the Huyton-based sanctuary after being surrendered by his former owner. He was originally adopted from the charity eight years ago as a spritely four-year-old, but was returned in March due to a change in his owner's circumstances.

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Georgina Lowery, rehoming centre manager at Dogs Trust Merseyside, said: “Jay may be a bit grey around the whiskers, but that shouldn’t put people off adopting him. He is a lively, happy boy, and is always willing to say hello to people. Despite all this, he has yet to bag a retirement home, after a seven month hunt for the perfect pad.

“Sadly, we are not surprised this golden oldie is still looking for his forever home. Older dogs in our care are often overlooked, but if you can see past the odd grey hair, you will be surprised at how much they have to offer. Older dogs are more likely to be fully house-trained and, as they are older and wiser, they usually know other training basics too. And, as the saying goes, you can still teach an older dog new tricks!”

On average, dogs spend just under 50 days in the care of Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. Sadly, older dogs like Jay can often take much longer to rehome. Around 9% of dogs currently in the charity’s care – 137 hounds - are senior dogs, aged eight and above. Although it is hoped that these OAPs - old aged pooches - will go on to find their forever homes, the Dogs Trust’s policy of never putting a healthy dog down means these dogs will be cared for by the charity for as long they need.

Jay may be old, but remains active and enjoys his walks. He is looking for a retirement home where he is the only pet, as he has a habit of guarding his toys. He is friendly with people, can live with older children, and is housetrained. However, he isn’t used to spending time alone so will need owners who can be with him for most of the day.

People who are interested in adopting Jay are asked to register to adopt with the Dog's Trust. You will be asked to provide details about your home, your lifestyle and the dogs you are interested in. You will also be asked to select a rehoming centre. Afterwards, the Dog's Trust team will review the application and contact you within seven days to talk about your dog search.