Dog finds forever home after 1,000 days in kennels

A family from Gillingham who rehomed a dog who had spent almost 1,000 days in an RSPCA kennels say they will "love him forever".

Teddy, a lurcher-cross, was found dumped and injured on a roundabout in Maidstone in July 2023 and was taken to the charity's Isle of Thanet branch for treatment.

Staff helped Teddy recover from his injury and build his confidence which led to him briefly being rehomed in March 2024, but it wasn't until Christmas 2025 that he found his forever home with Gaz and Wendy White from Gillingham.

"He is an absolute delight. We think we fell on our feet, and he fell on his paws," said Gaz White.

The couple made the 90 mile (144km) round trip to visit Teddy at the RSPCA centre in Birchington-on Sea 15 times before adopting him.

Gaz White said: "We had cold feet a few times as we didn't think he liked us, but on the fifth visit I fell in love with him."

Teddy now lives with the couple's other lurcher-cross, Buddy.

Gaz White says: "Teddy has brought Buddy back to life after we lost our previous dog, who was his companion. He's like a puppy again."

Hannah White, the animal centre manager at RSPCA Isle of Thanet branch said: "The work our team has put in to allow Teddy to get to a point of rehoming has been incredible.

"There was no chance we were giving up on him, but it's been a long road."

Gaz White said: "If there was ever a dog who needed a home, it's Teddy."

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