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Shelter Dog Waits Over 4 Years for Adoption: A Heartbreaking Tale
14 Oct
Summary
- Cane Corso Ralph has been in a shelter in Brighton, England for over 1,407 days
- Ralph is estimated to be between 4-5 years old, meaning he has spent most of his life in the shelter
- Large dogs like Ralph often face longer waits for adoption compared to smaller breeds
As of October 14th, 2025, a Cane Corso named Ralph has been waiting in a shelter in Brighton, England for over 1,407 days, or nearly four years. Now estimated to be between 4 and 5 years old, Ralph has spent the majority of his life in the shelter, despite his good nature.
Sadly, the RSPCA Brighton shelter, where Ralph is staying, has revealed that large dogs can take up to seven times longer than smaller dogs to be rehomed. This is why the charity is issuing an urgent plea for adopters to consider larger breeds like Ralph as part of their annual Adoptober rehoming drive.
The RSPCA's Adoptober campaign aims to encourage people to open their homes to long-stay animals, particularly large breeds that often face longer waits for adoption. In the first half of 2025, approximately 2.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues, and while non-live outcomes, including euthanasia, declined slightly, large dogs like Ralph are still disproportionately euthanized compared to other pets.
