If a new year could mean a new pet for your home - here are four potential best friends for you to consider.

All of these pooches are currently being looked after by the RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch but are looking for a forever home.

Dedicated staff and volunteers at the Patcham centre, care for around 600 animals each year.

Along with man’s best friend, they also rescue, rehome, and rehabilitate a host of other unwanted, abandoned and neglected pets including cats, rabbits, small furries, birds, reptiles and wildlife, covering Worthing to Seaford and up to East Grinstead.


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Nala

The Argus: Nala is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCANala is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCA

Breed: Saluki cross
Age: 6 years

Nala came in via an RSPCA inspector at the end of November after being abandoned by her previous owner.

She was very skinny when she arrived and still needs to gain a little weight. But she is a lovely girl who can be a little nervous at first, especially with men.

She knows sit, down, paw, other paw and wait on command, is good when groomed and is very clean in her kennel, so should be housetrained.

Nala is okay with other dogs, once she knows them, but can be shy if they are too bouncy or vocal around her. She would benefit from further socialisation and needs a home without cats or small animals.

She is looking for a calm home environment and could live with children 14 years or older.

Click here for more information on how to adopt Nala.

Scraps

The Argus: Scraps is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCAScraps is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCA

Breed: Patterdale Terrier
Age: 3-4 years

Scraps came to the centre on December 12 after her previous owner passed away.

She is a very friendly, lively girl who knows sit and her name on command, enjoys her walks and loves to play with toys, especially a squeaky one.

She is fairly clean in her kennel so should be housetrained.

Scraps needs to be the only pet in the home as she is not too keen on other dogs. She would also chase cats or small animals.

Although still being assessed at the moment, she will be looking for a terrier experienced home.

Click here for more information on how to adopt Scraps.


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Rico

The Argus: Rico is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCARico is being looked after at RSPCA Sussex Brighton and East Grinstead Branch. Picture: RSPCA

Breed: Chihuahua cross
Age: 18 months

Rico came to the RSPCA in October due to the ill health of his owner. He was a very scared, nervous boy when he first arrived but is starting to come out of his shell.

He has not had a lot of socialisation and tends to bark at anything he is unsure of, but bonds really well with some people and tends to tolerate others.

It does take him a while to get to know new people and he will definitely need lots of ongoing socialisation in his new home.

Rico can be vocal when he sees other dogs, due to being scared of them. He has made a couple of female dog friends since he's been at the centre, but does not like anything that is too boisterous, and would prefer to be the only dog in the home.

He is looking for an adult-only home with someone who has had experience with nervous dogs before.

He will also need a garden, further socialisation and training.

Click here for more information on how to adopt Rico.


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Poppet

The Argus:

Breed: Border Terrier
Age: 9 years

Poppet came in via an inspector as her owner was no longer able to look after her.

She is a sweet, affectionate girl who knows sit and her name on command, is housetrained, good when groomed and enjoys playing with toys, especially soft, squeaky ones.

Poppet does not like other dogs and will bark and lunge at them on walks. She can also not live with cats or anything small and furry as she has a strong hunting instinct.

She needs a home that is not too urban as she would not enjoy walking around local parks where there are a lot of other dogs.

Poppet is looking for an experienced terrier owner and could live with older children who are used to dogs.

Click here for more information on how to adopt Poppet.