Meet the 72 dogs, cats and tiny animals looking for a loving home in the North East - could you help?
This lovable line-up of dogs, cats and tiny animals are looking for their forever home - could you help?
Pickford, KitKat and Mrs Claus are just some of the adorable animals looking for their forever home this winter.
This adorable line-up of dogs, cats and tiny animals are currently living in shelters in the North East and staff would love to wave them off as they leave the shelter to begin a new life in the perfect home.
Some pets living in these shelters have spent months, and sometimes years, waiting for an owner to give them the happy comfortable life they deserve.
Rupert, Domino, Teddy the Akita, and Thor are some of the longest residents at Dogs Trust in Darlington at the moment and staff would love for them to find their happy ever after.
Taking on a pet is a big commitment, so it is important to do your research before adopting an animal.
But for those who are able to commit to offering a pet a home can receive a lifetime of love in return.
Each rehoming centre will have their own Covid-safe procedures and it is best to visit their website to remain up to date with current procedures.
More information and enquiries about the pets living at Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter can be found by visiting their website here.
And details and enquiries about the dogs currently living at Dogs Trust in Darlington can be found by visiting their website here.
Here are the adorable dogs, cats and tiny animals who are currently looking for their forever homes in the North East.
Mrs Claus
Mrs Claus the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is under six months old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say this pup is very cute, but she is also a feisty girl and needs all training starting from scratch, especially at this vital age.
Mrs Claus may live with a fully vaccinated dog with great dog skills to teach her lovely manners, but no old dogs.
She could live with older teens aged 16 and over and new owners need to be around most of the day to help with housetraining and to keep her company.
With the right training she'll be a lovely girl.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)1 of 65Alfie
Alfie described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as an absolute gentleman.
He is 12 years old and would love nothing more than a home to put his paws up with lots of home comforts.
Alfie could live with another dog pending a successful meet, as well as children aged 12 years and over.
He likes company so would like his new family to be around for some of the day.
Alfie doesn't need too much in the way of exercise but he still enjoys the odd playtime.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)2 of 65Chance
Chance the Lurcher is over eight years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust describe him as such a sweet boy.
Chance loves spending time with his carers having a snuggle on a cosy duvet.
He is pretty nervous in new situations so will need sympathetic owners.
Chance isn't a fan of other dogs and prefers to keep his distance from them, therefore he is looking for a home were he is the only dog.
He can also be worried by young children so is looking for a home with sensible children over the age of 14.
Chance was only left for an hour in his last home so will need someone around for him most of the day who can help him settle in and begin to build his leaving hours up over time.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)3 of 65Ace
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Ace]()
Ace lives up to his name as staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say he is "just ace"!
He is an English Bulldog aged between one and two years old and is described as such a fun boy when given the opportunity to warm up to new people and really enjoys tactile play.
Ace has formed incredibly strong bonds with staff in a short space of time so will prefer company.
New owners will need to be patient and not rush his socialising with people and dogs. He will be a fab companion.
Ace is looking for an adult only home.
He loves having company so his leaving hours will need to be built up gradually over time once he has settled into a home.
Ace will need to have multiple meets before going into his new home. He may live with the right dog depending on a successful meet at the centre.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)4 of 65Badger
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Badger]()
Badger the Lurcher is aged between five and seven years old.
He is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as a sweet boy who can have a sensitive side and needs some TLC.
Badger is a lover of food with no boundaries so 'lurcher-proofing' kitchens is a must, staff say.
Badger could potentially live with a tolerant, similar sized dog pending a successful introduction.
He may live with children over the age of 11 but not a multiple child household as he prefers the quiet lifestyle.
He will need all basic training including housetraining and building up his leaving hours.
Staff add that Badger will be a gem once settled.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)5 of 65Bella
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Bella]()
Bella the Beagle is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as a bouncy four-year-old girl who is very foodie, which will help aid her training in the home.
She can be picky with her dog friends and is best having a few meets with them to build up a relationship. She prefers calm and quiet friends.
Bella can live with children aged 16 and over. She could possibly live with another dog but would have to be a calm, quiet dog for her.
Bella would be ok to be left for an hour or two but would need building up in a new home.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)6 of 65Bilbo
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Bilbo]()
Bilbo the Akita is aged between one and two years old.
He is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as a bag of energy and needs his manners worked on.
Bilbo can walk with dogs but needs to brush up on his doggy skills as he can be too forward.
He will need plenty of mental enrichment to help with his frustration.
Bilbo will need to be the only dog in the home but have ongoing socialisation to help him with his doggy skills.
He can live with children aged 16 and over.
Staff at the shelter say they have no information about Bilbo in a home so will need someone around all day with him to begin with and build up his leaving hours over time.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)7 of 65Blue
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Young Blue is a crossbreed aged between six and 12 months.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust describe him as absolutely gorgeous and say he is going to be such fun for owners.
Blue is completely deaf so potential owners must be confident in training him.
He desperately needs his manners working on but he is very foody so this can help aid his training.
Blue can live with another dog and it may be good for him to have a role model to teach him the ways.
He can live with children aged 13 and over and will need someone around for him all day and begin to slowly build up his leaving hours once he has settled in.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)8 of 65Chase
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Chase]()
Chase the Lurcher is aged between one and two years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust describe Chase as a bouncy boy full of energy and fun.
Chase adores his food and toys in equal measures.
Prior to coming to the shelter, Chase had very little training in place but has been an eager, enthusiastic pupil so far.
Chase has had a lot of upheaval in his life and is looking for a quiet, adult only home who are around all day to continue with his training and build up the time he can be left for.
He will need his own secure garden to enjoy brain games and release his excess energy.
He could potentially live with another dog, but he is very rough and tumble so they must match his style.
He has shown some sensitivities so will need minimal visitors, especially in the settling in period.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)9 of 65Chester
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Chester is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as a very handsome boy who is very affectionate towards his human companions.
He is a German Shepherd Dog aged between two and five years old and is very strong so will need loose lead work done with him.
Chester has been coming out of his shell more and more while he has been at the shelter.
He loves a tasty treat which will help aid his training and has been enjoying playing with toys.
Chester could possibly live with a quiet dog of a similar size. He can become vocal around other dogs at times.
Chester can live with children aged 13 and over and once he has settled into his new home he will be fine to be left for a little while.
Staff at the shelter say Chester really is a loveable goofball.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)10 of 65Dexter
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Dexter]()
Young Dexter is less than one year old.
He's a Foxhound who has bags of energy and is on go all the time.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say he has so much personality and is a real character.
He enjoys being active and brings great enthusiasm to everything he does including greeting dogs and people.
Dexter is looking for active owners who can keep up with his zest for life.
He would like to go on lots of adventures but also keep his mind active too with plenty of mental stimulation.
Owners will need to think outside the box for ways to keep him entertained and Dexter's training will need starting from scratch, with somebody at home throughout the day for company.
Dexter can live with kids older than 16 years of age and share his home with a tolerant dog who can show him the ropes. But will need to be tolerant as he can be rough and vocal when playing.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)11 of 65Domino
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Domino]()
Domino the Lurcher is aged between five and seven years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust describe Domino as a sensitive boy who can be worried by new people and new situations.
He takes a bit of time to trust someone and make friends. But when he does he gets very attached to that person.
He enjoys a fuss from his favourite carers, and is learning that doggy chums are a good thing in life. So, although he can be worried by dogs out on walks, he is having lovely play dates with his favourite canine companions.
Domino is looking for a quiet home, with owners who are willing to walk in quiet areas and carry on his focus work around dogs.
New owners will be required to walk Domino on lead and muzzled.
He needs an adult only home with a secure garden with at least a 6ft fence.
He would need to be the only pet in his new home. New owners will need to meet him a few times at the centre so he can get to know them.
Domino is described as such a loving and gentle boy who gives the best hugs, and will be a loyal companion for someone.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)12 of 65Gusty
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Gusty]()
Gutsy the Greyhound is aged between two and five years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Gusty is a gorgeous guy who has been a social butterfly with the staff, greeting all in such a happy manner.
The thing that makes him happy the most though are toys. He loves to play and can hardly contain his excitement around them.
Gusty is looking for owners around for him for all of the day while he settles into home life and to help with housetraining.
He doesn't seem to have had much training so will need to start from scratch.
Gusty also loves to be with his humans and so isn't keen on being left so a good back up system of buddies for him would be important for times when owners need to leave him for longer periods.
He is very giddy with toys and could do with improving his manners around them too. Gusty enjoys his grub which will aid training and be great for food activity games.
Gusty will be best suited to a home with older children.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)13 of 65Harley
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Harley]()
Harley the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is aged between five and seven years old who loves to be playing with his toys - he charges around happily playing by himself.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Harley is definitely a people pleaser and enjoys their company, not coping well being by himself.
He will need new owners to be around for him a lot.
He is not a fan of other dogs and will need to be kept on lead and muzzled when out on walks and walked in quieter areas. He will enjoy a secure garden to run around in and let off steam.
Harley is very much a typical staffy, he's constantly on the go and full of fun.
He is going to suit people who are used to the breed.
Harley could live with children of 14 years and above, but he will need to be the only dog in his home.
He is such a cheeky, loveable chap, he will make a super companion for someone used to this marvellous breed.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)14 of 65Henry
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Henry]()
Henry is described as a sweet, shy boy, who does form bonds with people when he is given the time.
He is a crossbreed aged between two to five years old and loves toys and food equally, though he should be left alone to eat.
Henry has come to Darlington Dogs Trust with very little history, though has enjoyed a sleepover with one of his carers.
He gets worried by new faces, so he is looking for an adult only home with minimal visitors, and no children visiting.
Staff think he may be housetrained but should have a refresher when going in to a new home and will need the time he can be left for to be built up gradually. But as he is independent, staff don't think this will take long.
Henry will need to be kept on lead and muzzled when on his walks; he does get worried when dogs or people rush over to him. He would like to have his own secure garden so he can enjoy some off lead time. He will also need new owners to walk him in quiet areas where he enjoy his walks and relax.
Henry is undergoing hydrotherapy and this will be ongoing, therefore new owners will need to close to the centre in order for him to attend his sessions here and also meet him multiple times before going home.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)15 of 65Kooper
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Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Kooper is still very much a puppy who is full of energy.
The Malinois Belgian Shepherd Dog is six to 12 months old.
He is looking for a home with people who have previous experience of the breed as he won't be for the faint hearted.
Kooper is looking for a home that will keep up with his high exercise levels and be giving him the mental stimulation he needs throughout the day.
He loves playing with toys and playing fetch.
Kooper could possibly live with another tolerant dog pending a successful meet and he can live with older teens aged 16 and over.
He will need owners around for him all day to help him settle in to his new home and build up very slowly over time.
Kooper isn't a big fan of going to the vets so will be required to wear a muzzle for vet visits which the shelter's training team can advise on.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)16 of 65Loki
![Loki is looking for their forever home]()
Loki is a Siberian Husky aged between one and two years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Loki has had a lot of upheaval in his life, so his next home needs to be his forever home to give him some stability.
He needs gradual socialising with dogs as he's not been around any. He will need to be the only pet in the home but can have dog walking friends to build up his social skills.
Loki is looking for an adult only home and will need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. He will be fine to be left for a few hours once he has settled into his new home.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)17 of 65Milo
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Milo]()
Milo the Dobermann is aged between two and five years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Milo is a big exuberant bundle of energy who loves galloping around in the search for food.
He does enjoy the sound of his own voice and uses this to communicate with his humans, when he wants to be let through doors or if there is a tasty treat he cant get to.
This big lad rarely sits still so needs owners who can keep up and provide him with plenty of physical as well as mental stimulation.
He is happy to travel so he can be walked in quiet areas and go on exciting adventures.
Milo requires an adult only home with no visiting children.
He would prefer a quieter home with minimal visitors or at least his own space so he doesn't need to interact with everyone.
Prospective owners must be around for most of the day to help Milo become more comfortable being left on his own.
Milo will need to remain onlead when out in public as his doggy social skills need some work.
Because of this he will need his own private secure garden for off lead playtime.
Milo will seek out any food he can find so will ideally need limited access to the kitchen as he is more than happy to counter surf to seek out some food.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)18 of 65Ollie
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Ollie]()
Ollie the Bearded Collie is aged between two and five years old.
He is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as an incredibly handsome and smart boy who enjoys interaction with people and loves nothing more than playing with a tennis ball - though he could probably do it all day so will need breaks!
He's a young boy who needs a very active home but who will also give him the mental stimulation he needs to channel some of his undesirable behaviours.
Ollie is looking for an adult only home where he is the only pet.
He is very social on walks so will enjoy meet ups.
He will need to be kept on lead for his walks so will need his own secure garden.
Staff are looking for a specific layout for Ollie and will require a video call to ensure it is suitable.
He is housetrained and will be okay to be left for a few hours.
Ollie will not be able to have access to a front door, therefore management will be needed when leaving/answering the door.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)19 of 65Penny
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Penny]()
Penny the Dobermann is over eight years old and is currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while she waits for her forever home.
Staff at the shelter say Penny loves interacting with her humans and is a very affectionate girl, she has had a lot going on here with the vet team and has been a superstar throughout.
Penny will require on going training around other dogs as she can be vocal and would need to be kept on a lead out and about.
She is looking for a home with no other pets and can live with over-14s.
Penny has some medical treatment while in the care of the shelter.
She is currently underweight so staff are working on slowly increasing this and getting her back to peak health. She is on a specialised diet at present.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)20 of 65Pip
![Meet the dogs currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while they wait for their forever home. This is Pip]()
Pip the Jack Russell Terrier is 10 years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Pip is a lovely girl who has been through a lot recently and is looking for a quiet home.
She can be worried by handling and prefers a hands off approach to make friends.
She gains lots of confidence from being with another dog.
Pip is looking for a home with another calm, confident dog.
She is looking for an adult only home with no visiting children.
New owners must be around most of the day as she prefers the company and they will need to be up for ongoing training.
Pip will need multiple meets at the centre with new owners.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)21 of 65Roxy
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Roxy the German Shepherd Dog is aged between five and seven years old.
Staff at Darlington Dogs Trust say Roxy is full of enthusiasm when she meets people and is very affectionate.
She also loves playing with toys and will happily amuse herself.
Roxy is looking to be the only pet in her new home.
She isn't a great fan of other animals and will need to continue her training on walks, and will need to wear a muzzle too.
This is all part of her routine for getting ready to go exploring.
Roxy can share her home with older teens over 14 years old.
She will appeal to lovers of the breed and make a fantastic companion for someone.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)22 of 65Rupert
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Young Rupert the Lurcher is aged between one and two years old. He is full of character but can have a sensitive side.
He can be worried initially but his love for treats can help make friends.
Rupert is currently living at Dogs Trust in Darlington and has training that will be ongoing in the home so will need dedicated owners able to carry this out using positive reinforcement.
Rupert is looking for an active forever home that can give him both the physical and mental stimulation he craves. He needs his own secure garden as he will need to be kept on lead for his walks.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)23 of 65Sasha
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Sasha the Shar-Pei is aged between two and five years old.
She is described by staff at Darlington Dogs Trust as a sensitive lady that is looking for a quiet home where she can find her feet.
Food helps her make friends and helps her affectionate side shine through.
Sasha is looking for an adult only home with no visiting children.
She should be the only dog in the home while her social skills are worked on. She can be left some time during the day.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)24 of 65Smudge
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Smudge is described as a sweet, affectionate girl who does lack confidence and may take a while to settle into her new home.
She is a Lurcher aged between two and five years old and is currently living at Darlington Dogs Trust while she waits for her forever home.
Smudge is looking for patient owners who will allow her time to find her feet and give her confidence.
She has not got great skills around other dogs and will need to work on this going forward into her new home. She can find new situations and quick movements a bit worrying. She will need some leadwork.
Smudge will thrive in a home with patient owners who are up for training with her.
She is a lively girl and very affectionate who will appreciate a quieter home where owners are around for her to put the training in place and to help settle her in.
She can live with sensitive teens over the age of 14 years and may potentially live with a quiet dog pending a successful meet at the centre.
(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)25 of 65
