Race on to find Mojo a home before his 10th birthday

Could you be a match for Mojo? After more than 100 days at a Devon rescue sanctuary, this handsome Spaniel cross is starting to give up hope of ever finding a home.

With just weeks until his 10th birthday, staff at Woodside Animal Welfare Sanctuary are keeping everything crossed that the lovely Mojo will be settled in a loving home before his big day in October.

Mojo, a Spaniel X Lurcher, first arrived at Woodside, at Elfordleigh in the South Hams, in the spring after his owner passed away. Having spent much of his life on a caravan site, Mojo was unfamiliar with the world outside and ready to explore.

An initial match was found for Mojo, but sadly this didn’t work out and within weeks he was back at the sanctuary, where his carers are hoping its third time lucky for this sweet boy.

Woodside Kennel Supervisor Kelly Beutner said: “When he first came to the sanctuary, Mojo had lived in a caravan and wasn’t well socialised, he’d only been walked around the caravan park.

“He loves a fuss and a cuddle and is a laidback boy. He’s not a dog to sit on your lap but will come and sit next to you.

“Even though he’s older he’s still active. He’s still happy to go on long walks and have a sniff around the fields.”

With kennel life starting to get to Mojo, he’s spending more time in reception, enjoying cuddles with sanctuary staff and greeting visitors with his waggy tail.

He recently caught the eye of potential adopters but, due to circumstances, they were unable to offer him a home at present.

Kelly explained that when Mojo was returned to the sanctuary in June, his adopter said he’d been reactive and unpredictable on walks and needed further training.

However, since returning, Mojo has been the perfect gent, with an enhanced training and assessment programme put in place to monitor his behaviour.

In recent weeks, he’s visited the bustling Ridgeway in Plympton, popped into shops along route for a treat (or two!), spent time in Colebrook village in Plympton and walked on Dartmoor, meeting people of all ages and abilities along the way.

He’s also joined the charity’s volunteer walkers and their dogs on their adventure, without showing any reactivity.

“We’ve not seen any negative behaviour,” Kelly said. “We took Mojo to the Ridgeway and into the charity shops to meet members of the public. People were giving him treats and making a fuss of him and he was really well behaved. He was relaxed, wagging his tail.

“The butchers caught his attention as we walked along and he tried to pull me in! Mojo’s very food orientated. He’ll sit for a treat and will bark if you take too long!

“He’s mixed with other dogs here and has gone out with different staff and volunteers. One of our regular dog walkers takes him out with her three dogs and they go off lead, and she says he’s so good. The dog walkers all adore him.”

As he hasn’t lived with dogs, cats or children before, the sanctuary is looking for a pet-free home for Mojo and any children would need to be aged 16 and above.

If you need Mojo in your life, contact the sanctuary on 01752 347503 or email generalenquiries@woodsidesanctuary.org.uk.