SWANSEA: #DogsAtPollingStations is trending — but spare a thought for the #DogsNotAtPollingStations who’d love a vote of confidence today

Across Wales today, social media is filling up with #DogsAtPollingStations – the much-loved trend where proud owners share photos of their canine companions accompanying them to vote.

But for every smiling pup pictured outside a polling station today, there’s another dog who isn’t there.

The #DogsNotAtPollingStations are the rescue dogs sitting in animal centres across Wales – many of whom have been waiting weeks, months or longer to find a new owner to one day vote alongside.

At RSPCA Cymru’s Llys Nini Branch in Swansea – based in the Senedd’s new Gŵyr Abertawe constituency – there are 11 dogs currently ready for adoption.

Many more will join them in the coming weeks once court proceedings conclude or rehabilitation programmes are completed.

The RSPCA is urging voters across Wales to consider adopting one of these dogs – so they can become part of next election’s #DogsAtPollingStations trend.

Among them is Bear, a two-year-old Chow Chow looking for what the charity describes as a loving forever home.

Bear is described by staff as a dog with “bags of character” who loves long walks and food.

The RSPCA notes that Chow Chows can have very long coats – something any potential new owner would need to consider.

Across the RSPCA’s other Welsh centres, more dogs are also looking for homes.

At the charity’s Newport centre, Lady – a gentle Patterdale terrier crossbreed – is searching for a calm, understanding home.

The RSPCA describes her as a little shy when meeting new people, but says with patience and kindness her true personality shines through. She would do best as the only pet in the home.

At the Bryn-Y-Maen centre in Upper Colwyn Bay, nine-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Reggie is also waiting for a new family after his previous owner passed away.

Tan and white Reggie loves to potter about outdoor spaces and is described by staff as full of love, knowing lots of commands and being a big fan of fuss and attention.

Dr Samantha Gaines from the charity’s Companion Animals Department said it was always heartwarming to see voters share photos of their dogs outside polling stations.

“With temperatures warming up, we’d always urge voters to keep their dogs nice and cool – or even consider taking them to vote in the evening depending on how hot it is outside,” she said.

She said many RSPCA centres were full to bursting. “We’d urge anyone looking to add a dog to their family to check out the RSPCA’s Find a Pet website,” she said. “You may find your paw-fect voting companion for next polling day.”

The RSPCA also published its own manifesto ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, and according to the charity’s Animal Kindness Index, Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager at the RSPCA, said voters had welcomed hearing from political parties’ plans for animals. “We look forward to working with Wales’ 96 new Senedd Members to ensure animal welfare is a top priority,” she said.

For anyone in Swansea or across south-west Wales considering rehoming a dog, more information about Bear and the other dogs at Llys Nini is available on the Llys Nini Branch website.

Full details of all the dogs available for adoption across the RSPCA’s Welsh centres can be found on the RSPCA’s Find a Pet tool.

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This is Geeza, a beautiful almost 3 year old staffy breed. He’s a foster for now with plans to adopt. He’s a very gentle and loving boy. He’s still a little stressed and needy, but is slowly getting more relaxed.

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Port Talbot stray Alfie still searching for a forever home after a year in foster care

Alfie, a two‑year‑old lurcher, was found roaming the streets at the end of 2024 and taken in by the Angels for Animals Foundation, which works to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned and abused dogs.

Since then, Alfie has been living in a foster home in Port Talbot, but despite several enquiries following earlier appeals, none have led to a suitable match. Most dogs are rehomed within weeks, making Alfie’s long wait highly unusual.

“An absolute treasure”

Charity founder Katie Harrison‑Holland said:

“For no fault of his own, Alfie has spent much longer than our other dogs with no interest. We need to find him a home where he can start thriving, but unfortunately, we have had no interest in Alfie.

Alfie is a very special dog and whoever adopts him will have an absolute treasure. He is loyal, playful, intelligent and an absolute bundle of energy who loves people.”

Alfie is described as a bouncy and affectionate dog who would suit an experienced owner. He needs a home without children, but could live with or without another dog. He can be left alone for short periods, though ideally his adopter would be home most of the time.

Katie added:

“Alfie is a sensitive boy and a bit unsure around strangers, so would ideally suit a quiet or more rural home. He is a beautiful lurcher with a heart of gold who is more than ready to find his forever home.”

Training support included

The charity says Alfie already has a strong foundation of training, and his foster carer and Angels for Animals will provide ongoing support to help him settle.

“This is a great opportunity to adopt a loving sighthound with a great foundation of training,” Katie said. “Alfie will be a great companion dog for an adopter who wants to be with their dog as much as possible, either in the home or out and about.”

How to adopt Alfie

Anyone interested in giving Alfie a permanent home can find out more and get in touch via the Angels for Animals website: angelsforanimals.org.uk/2025/01/09/alfie/

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Celebrating National Mutt Day.

#nationalmuttday 🐾❤️ #dogadoption #dog #dogs #nationaldogday #dogday #muttday #bestfriend #mixedbreeds #rescue #dogsofinstagram #mixedbreeddogday #muttsofinstagram #dogoftheday #photooftheday #adoptadog #mutt #mutts #mixedbreed #bestie #love #adoptme # ... Today is 31st July. The reason behind celebrating this special day is to adopt a mixed breed dog (Mutt) and to raise awareness about it. These dogs need our love very much. These poor…

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Time of the essence to find home for Port Talbot dog who was found as a stray

Lurcher Alfie was discovered roaming the streets at the end of December, and rescued by charity Angels for Animals Foundation.

The two-year-old dog has since been living in a foster home as part of a residential training programme in Port Talbot in Wales.

But Alfie’s training placement finishes at the end of June, and he will then have to be returned to kennels. Angels for Animals – which works to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned and abused dogs – is desperately trying to find a permanent home for the loveable hound to spend the rest of his days.

Charity founder Katie Harrison-Holland said: “When Alfie’s residential training programme ends, he will have nowhere to go other than to our kennels. This would set his progress back and make all the effort and money spent worthless, which is heart-breaking.

“We need to find him a home where he can start thriving but unfortunately, we have had no interest in Alfie, for no fault of his own.

“Alfie is a very special dog and whoever adopts him will have an absolute treasure. He is loyal, playful, intelligent and an absolute bundle of energy who loves people.”

Alfie is a bouncy dog so needs a home without children, and can live with or without another dog. He can be left alone for a couple of hours, but would need a home with an experienced owner who is home most of the time.

Katie added: “Alfie is more than ready to find his forever home and his foster carer will also be on hand to provide training support.

“This is a great opportunity to adopt a loving sighthound with a great foundation of training.

“Alfie will be a great companion dog for an adopter who wants to be with their dog as much as possible, either in the home or out and about.”

Visit angelsforanimals.org.uk/2025/01/09/alfie/ to find out more about Alfie and to get in touch about adopting.

#adoptADog #AngelsForAnimals #animalRescue #Dogs #PortTalbot