The Star has written every week this year about the dogs at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary and Helping Yorkshire Poundies in the hope of finding them all a sofa to sleep on.
We’ve seen a lot of dogs come and go. So it breaks our heart to see how some of these marvellous pups - including loveable cane corsos, lurchers and staffies - have gone ALL of 2025 without a sniff.
In fact, a handful of these lonely pups have been waiting since the middle of 2024, wondering when their new owner will pick them out.
They include poor Franklin the cane corso, a ‘”big, goofy puppy” that HYPS says would make “a wonderful companion” and just needs a quiet life - but he went without any callers for the whole of 2025.
Or there’s Simon the saluki at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary who has been waiting since 2024. He just needs someone who will understand his, ‘enthusiasm’ and is prepared to give him a place where he can burn off all his energy.
How about Gilly the shih tzu, who has found herself in need of a home at the ripe old age of 13. Won’t someone make sure she has a warm lap for her golden days?
See below for the 28 dogs going into 2026 waiting for a home in South Yorkshire, starting with the poor pups who have been waiting the longest.
1. Lonely Simon the saluki who can be a bit... 'enthusiastic'
Poor Simon has been waiting for a home since the middle of 2024. So what if he can be a bit boisterous, won't someone step up to the challenge? "Lovable Simon would thrive in a household who are familiar with the breed. He can be very …. ‘enthusiastic’ and has episodes of being very OTT, which involves a lot of spinning, jumping and he can be mouthy. While it is not at all aggressive Simon should have adopters who are confident to manage this as he transitions into a home. Simon is crate trained, he travels well in the car and he LOVES other dogs. When he is with dogs he is on his very best behaviour, so ideally he would be adopted with another dog or with very regular play friends to give him a burn off." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/simon/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
2. Princess the Cane Corso - the biggest lapdog there is
Poor Princess has been waiting for a home since 2024. Doesn't anyone want a great big lapdog of their own? "Princess is a very fussy, very happy girl who loves to spend time with our dog walkers. She is a big lap dog despite her size! Princess could live with older children 12+ who are confident around dogs. Princess is learning to walk nicely on the lead and would benefit from some more training. Princess will really benefit from a confident handler – she is reactive towards other dogs and can be very strong." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/princess-2/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
3. Aspen the Cane Corso who deserves the world
Aspen had a hard start to life and now she's been waiting for over a year for a new home. Doesn't it break your heart? "Aspen arrived having suffered terrible neglect, despite this she is a complete credit to her breed – she is the most loyal and loving girl, she adores attention and is very affectionate. Aspen loves food which is definitely the way to her heart. She is good with other dogs, more so larger dogs and could live with another once home. She must have a secure garden as part of her adoption and can be introduced to older teens. Aspen has previously had some bad experiences with men, however our dog walkers have completely committed to showing her that men are equally trustworthy. A home without a lot of visitors is essential, although she is very happy to meet people outside of the home. She really deserves the world, please consider giving Aspen the happy home that she deserves." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/aspen/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
4. Franklin the Cane Corse who would love the quiet life
Franklin has been waiting such a long time for a new home when all he needs is the quiet life. "Franklin is a 3 yr old Cane Corso who will make the most amazing companion for a breed experienced, confident family. He is an absolutely lovely lad who adores his people and is a big, goofy puppy. His main issues lie with his lead walks – he is reactive to dogs/people and traffic when on the lead – he cannot cope with walks in busy areas and needs to find a home in a countryside/more rural setting and be confidently and safely managed on his walks. He will make THE most fantastic companion for his lucky new family – he just needs to find the right people for him." - https://helpingyorkshirepoundies.co.uk/large/franklin/ | Helping Yorkshire Poundies