Pet owners share delight at giving horrifically malnourished dogs fresh lease of life

Dog lovers who rehomed badly malnourished and neglected mutts have revealed how the animals lives have been completely transformed by a bit of love and care.

Four pet owners each took in a pooch from a group of 30 that were found wallowing in filthy kennels in Lincolnshire by the RSCPA.

And shocked inspectors - who were ‘left in tears’ by their discovery - even struggled to discern their breeds due to the overgrown fur that was covering their bodies.

But new pictures reveal the dogs' stunning transformation as they prepare to spend Christmas in their forever home - two years later.

Darren Cox, 53, who adopted nine-year-old miniature poodle cross Bailey from the RSPCA, said he was ‘horrified’ to learn how he’d previously been treated.

However, he felt privileged to give the “cheeky chap” a home, in Carlton, Notts, and now loves taking him on walks to the pub with his partner, Julie.

The occupational therapy assistant said: “I was horrified to see the state that the animals had got into. They were left to fend for themselves, they were just feral, basically.

"But the first time we met him they said he was a bit of a character, and they weren’t wrong - he still is a character.

“It’s such a nice feeling to know that you've done something to stop this animal from suffering any more abuse and being mistreated.

"Every time he looks at us, he warms the cockles of our hearts. He’s so appreciative of everything we do for him now.

“He likes going to the pub with us - he’s a cheeky chap. And he’s gone from having no food to having it on tap now, so he’s very responsive to that.”

Aimee Rankine, 31, who gave five-year-old terrier cross Delilah a new home, fell in love when she was offered her by the RSCPA.

She said the adorable mutt had come out of her shell after she moved to her home in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and was a firm favourite with her work colleagues.

The delivery consultant said: “I went to meet her and loved her and brought her home. At that point, she’d been completely shaved, so she had really short hair.

“She was so timid, she was so nervous. If you put your hand out to stroke her, she would recoil and shy away. It was really sad, but you could tell she was really sweet.

“She’s definitely grown in confidence over the last couple of years, probably almost too much. She’s quite sassy and precautious. She absolutely adores people.

“She will lick everyone and she likes to sit on people’s laps. When I first got her, she wouldn’t even come and sit near you, so she’s come a long way.

“She 100 per cent feels like one of the family. I live alone and she’s my main source of company.

“I work from home, and I have a bed on my desk, so she’s always in the back of Zoom calls or she sleeps in my lap. Everyone at work loves her as well.”

Mum Sophie Major, 32, said she’d heard about the dogs' plight while working at an RSCPA centre, where animals are brought after being taken from negligent owners.