This dog at Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary has waited a year for a home

Willie, a six-year old Chihuahua cross breed, is currently staying at Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary in Stadhampton and has been waiting for new owners since February.

He is described by the sanctuary as ‘affectionate’, ‘playful’ and ‘fun’.

Willie, however, needs a very experienced owner as he is a is a resource guarder, which means he guards items in the home so needs very careful handling.

Can you give Willie a home? Picture: Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary

As well as this, he needs training, multiple visits to get to know new people, a home with no other dogs, no children under 16-years old and minimal visitors.

Sanctuary manager Iain Atkin said that it would take a potential owner a few visits to get to know Willie and they need to be someone who has knowledge of his specific needs.

The sanctuary believes Willie needs a female owner, as he warms to women quicker than men, who does not have many friends or young children visiting the home and is someone who “has their head screwed on.”

Mr Atkin said: “Once he knows you he is all over you like rash but it is just getting to that stage.

“He needs a very specific home and owner because he is a resource guarder and doesn't get on with other pets.

“Therefore, he cannot be around children and other animals.”

The sanctuary believes the right owner is out there for him. Picture: Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary

Mr Atkin is determined that the right owner and home is out there for Willie and his needs.

He said: “He will find a home and we are patient enough to wait for that home.”

Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary currently has five dogs in their care, as well as a number of cats and rabbits.

Willie is the longest lodger amongst them, second only to Banksy who has been at the sanctuary since his owner died.

Like Willie, Banksy also needs a very specific owner as he displays resource guarding behaviour.

The sanctuary has rehomed more than 27,000 animals since it was established in 1967, with more than 500 animals a year admitted and rehomed every year.

Mr Atkin explained the sanctuary stops rehoming animals on December 10, to allow them to settle into their new environments a couple of weeks before the madness of Christmas.

This means that a potential owner for Willie can get to know him before Christmas but would not be able to take him home until the new year.

Can you give this little guy the home of his dreams in 2022?

You can get in touch with Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary about Willie via his adoption page on their website.

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