A couple travelled nearly 300 miles to the Fens to give a dog her forever home after falling in love with her online profile with a local rescue group.
The pair made the 289 mile journey from Barnstaple to collect Misty from March rounding 2016 off in style for Ravenswood Pet Rescue who say the couple are the this year’s furthest travelled new owners.
It was love at first sight for the Murphy’s and their new border collie who is among more than 500 dogs who have been found homes this year by the group.
Shelley Ridgeon, of Ravenswood, said: “We rescue and re-home every day. Seeing new families paired up with dogs is very rewarding.
“It can be hard work and emotionally draining. Not all the dogs have happy endings and sometimes just knowing their terrible backgrounds can be upsetting but to know more than 500 in 2016 alone are now in forever homes makes it all worthwhile.”
Lionel Murphy, who travelled to March to collect Misty, said: “We have always had collies and lost our last one more than two years ago.
“We had been looking but when we saw Misty we knew she was right for us so the journey is worth while.”
Ravenswood Pet Rescue works by posting details of the dogs available for re homing so if somebody is searching nationally they can be seen.
Rescue groups team up across the UK so that local volunteers can carry out essential home checks for each other before the go ahead can be given for an adoption.
Fenland’s dog warden Caroline Trigg founded Ravenswood as she could not bear to see stray dogs euthanised on day eight of being in council pounds.
Shelley, said: “It has been a really successful year for us and Caroline and I would like to say a massive thanks to the teams at Terrington vets and Best Friends in March from receptionists to nurses to vets who are all amazing and support us throughout the year.
“Also thanks to Vet Savers who collect donations for us and all of the volunteers and people who fund raise and support us - we couldn’t do it without you all.”
• Click here to donate to the vet fees fund for the dogs rescued by Ravenswood
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