RSPCA releases chart of most popular & unpopular breeds
and urges people to rehome a Staffie

The Staffordshire bull terrier has become the most unwanted dog in England
and Wales,
A new RSPCA survey has revealed.

Through no fault of its own, the breed is suffering a bad press
due to its aggressive image and popularity as a status symbol.

Published to mark the start of the RSPCA's Pet Adoption Week
(Saturday 7 June to Sunday 15 June),
The statistics show that the Staffie is the breed that ends up
at RSPCA animal centres most frequently,
followed by German shepherds, Rottweilers and Jack Russell terriers.
The Staffie cross makes a second appearance in the list at number five.

The surge in Staffies was confirmed at a special RSPCA conference on dogs this week.
Delegates from across the country reported animal centres overwhelmed by the breed.

The RSPCA believes so many Staffies are in need of new homes because sadly
the breed is popular with irresponsible owners
who are interested in their own image rather than their dog's welfare.

The Society is emphasising that it is bad and ill-informed owners
who are to blame for the Staffie's aggressive reputation,
Not the dogs themselves. In fact, throughout RSPCA Pet Adoption Week
anyone thinking of getting a dog is encouraged to consider a Staffie
as, with the right owners, they can make the perfect pet.

RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans said:
"Staffies have had a terrible press, but this is not of their own making -
in fact they're wonderful dogs.
If people think that Staffies have problems,
they're looking at the wrong end of the dog lead!"

"When well cared for and properly trained they can make brilliant companions.
Our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffie's
desire to please by training them to show aggression.

"If you're thinking of getting an animal, please visit an RSPCA centre during Pet Adoption Week
and get to know one of the thousands of animals in our care.
If you end up taking a Staffie or one of the other dogs on our 'most unwanted' list back,
you'll know you've given an extra special animal a much-needed new home."

Popular breeds that are often requested by members of the public
visiting RSPCA animal centres include Yorkshire terriers, Labradors,
'small breeds' such as terrier crosses,
West Highland terriers, and Jack Russell terriers.

Professionally trained staff work hard to rehabilitate all animals in the Society's care.
Before they can be adopted, each animal has a behavioural assessment
and health check to help match them with the right new owner.

TV presenter and RSPCA Pet Adoption Week supporter Kate Humble
(Autumn Watch, Spring Watch, Animal Park) recently adopted Badger,
a crossbreed terrier, from the RSPCA's Newport Animal Centre.

Poor Badger was severely underweight when he first arrived at the centre,
but after some tender loving care he's looking forward to a happier, healthier life.

Kate said: "RSPCA Pet Adoption Week
is vital for ensuring as many animals as possible get a really good second start in life.
If you know you're ready for the responsibility of looking after a pet
it's the most rewarding thing you can do."

In fact, a survey carried out for the RSPCA showed that 89 per cent of people
in Great Britain who have adopted a pet said it was a good experience
and 87 per cent of people said they would recommend adopting a pet to others.

Every year the RSPCA rehomes around 70,000 animals and 17,000 of these are dogs.
All are unwanted pets that have been dumped, victims of cruelty
or neglect, or have been handed over to the Society
by those whose circumstances have changed.
At any one time, the RSPCA has hundreds of animals looking for loving new homes,
from large horses to tiny mice - and everything in between!

For an information pack about adopting an animal from the RSPCA,

call the dedicated Pet Adoption Week

Phone line on 0300 123 8484 -
or find out more by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/paw.

Today is just another day - to me they're all the same
I have the worst of genes you see, I bear the "Staffy" shame.
The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home.
Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels all alone.

My mum was "just a Staffy", my father - well who knows?
Mum, too, became unwanted, as the last puppy goes.
And then begins the process, of money-making deals
A life of "moving on" unfolds, who cares how the Staffy feels?
If you have the cash to hand, the Staffy pup is yours
But that pup is getting bigger now, just look at those big paws.

You brought me for your image, thought I'd make you look more tough
But you'll find my boisterous nature has already got too much.
If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise
You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.
I would lay down my life for you, but you simply cannot see
You make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.

And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime
The retail on an adult staff - not worth the waste of time.
So what happens to a Staffy now? Do you really want to know?
Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?

Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffy now?"
The "Staffy" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.
Me, I was put into a car and driven far away
The door held open, I jumped out, I thought to run and play.
It was with joy and happy heart I turned to look for you
You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.

I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.
Now I wait with heavy heart, trepidation and with fear.
Seven days is all I have you see, seven days for you to claim
The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.

This is my last goodbye now my seven days are up
If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup
As the needle empties to my veins I lay down with one last sigh
I'm sorry I was born a Staffy, because it means that I must die.