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.
25. Primrose, the 'playful' Staffy crossbreed
"Prim arrived heavily pregnant as a stray. She has now whelped her beautiful babies and it is time for her to find her forever home too. She is very playful and young herself requires an active staffy loving home. She travels well in the car and responds very well to training! Prim is adjusting without her babies so would benefit from an experienced home understanding of her transitioning period. She is good with other dogs out and about but is best suited to be the only pet in the home. We will consider homes with older teens 15+2 - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/primrose/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
26. Jasper, the "lovely large" greyhound who was found stray
"Meet Jasper, Our lovely, large greyhound who has recently come into our care as a stary, so unfortunately we do not have any previous history for him. What we do know is that he is a gentle, sweet-natured boy who is ready for a caring home with a large and comfy sofa that he can snuggle up on. He enjoys lots of human company and enjoys a walk before settling down in his bed. Due to limited history, he would be best suited to a home with children aged 12+ and could live with another sighthound pending a successful meet." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/jasper/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
27. Mabel the English Bulldog who "soaks up all the attention"
"Mabel is a real sweet girl who loves to soak up all the attention here at Thornberry! – she is a real favourite amongst staff and volunteers alike. Mabel would benefit from a bulldog savvy family who are familiar with the breeds temperament and medical needs. She is currently ongoing some medical, which will be discussed further with potential adopters. Her new family will therefore need to live in close proximity to the sanctuary and be able to commit to visits with our onsite vet. Mabel is not housetrained." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/mabel/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary
28. Scrappy Doo the bull lurcher, "on the hunt for the perfect home"
"Scrappy Doo is on the hunt for his perfect forever home! This energetic and playful boy is still very young so will benefit from an experienced family who are committed to his ongoing training and socialisation. Scrappy would benefit from an active family and would thrive in a home with a confident adult dog to help show him the ropes. He would be best suited to a home with older teens who can get on board with his training." - https://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org/animals/scrappy-doo/ | Thornberry Animal Sanctuary