Jude, a nine-year-old lurcher, has spent 427 days awaiting a new home after being rescued from a property where he lived in near-total darkness. The RSPCA reported that Jude was kept in a space without clean water, bedding, or electricity, and faced numerous hazards.
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When Jude first arrived at the Leybourne Animal Centre in Kent, staff noted he had not been exposed to toys, struggled to walk on a lead, and did not respond to his name. He was rescued along with eight other dogs and several snakes in what the RSPCA described as a "multi-animal rescue," a growing issue that is straining the charity's resources.
Animal care assistant Hayley Proud remarked that the team had to start with the fundamentals, treating Jude as if he were a puppy. "He would literally shut down and collapse to the floor when he was overwhelmed with the real world, but now he's come a long way," she said.
Proud added that while many people believe lurchers require extensive exercise, Jude is more of a sprinter and enjoys short bursts of playtime. He is now fond of playing and being around people but is still looking for a home with a garden. "All he wants is companionship and love," she stated.
The effort to rehome Jude is part of the RSPCA's Adoptober campaign. Laura Bowbrick, kennel supervisor at the center, noted that animals like Jude often come with behavioral and medical issues, requiring specialized care. She highlighted that multi-animal rescues can be driven by various factors, including the owner's mental health, financial struggles, irresponsible breeding practices, and unneutered animals.
The RSPCA has reported handling an average of 410 multi-animal incidents per month this year in England and Wales, with 105 such rescues occurring in Kent between January and August. In 2022, there were 188 multi-animal rescues across Kent. During Jude's rescue, inspectors found animals living in unsanitary conditions, and the owner was later convicted of animal welfare offenses and banned from owning animals for ten years.