An adorable agoraphobic rescue dog Whisper is so terrified of people and the outside world that Battersea Dogs & Cats Home staff are finding it impossible to find her a new home.
While most rescue dogs love nothing more than exploring the great outdoors, meeting new people and other dogs, six-year-old Whisper will only leave her kennel once all the other dogs are in bed for the night and staff and visitors have gone home.
The staff have helped thousands of animals over the years but agoraphobic Whisper is one of the most extreme cases they have ever faced.
Battersea Senior Animal Welfare Assistant Karen Slavid said: “Whisper is a gentle, loving, kind-natured dog, and she is going to make the most amazing pet for someone who has the time and patience to slowly build her trust and confidence.
“We know that she’s going to need very understanding owners but more than anything we want her to enjoy a life outside kennels like any other dog. Whisper has had a terrible start to life and she really deserves a happy ending.”
She was found cowering underneath a bush in Surrey back in January and it’s thought that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had most likely been used as a breeding bitch before being brought to Battersea’s Old Windsor Home as a stray.
She was undernourished and her teats were terribly stretched after giving birth to and feeding litter after litter and it’s believed that Whisper’s fear of the outdoors may be a result of being kept in a shed or indoor cage.
She was given her name as the slightest noise or movement would have her cowering in her bed, too scared to leave her kennel and petrified of people and other dogs.
Karen has slowly built a rapport with Whisper by sitting quietly with her in her kennel and feeding her.
After several weeks she was able to coax Whisper outside with treats when everyone had left for the day, and the Staffie now enjoys daily outdoor playtime when the centre is closed to visitors.
Viewers of ITV’s Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs will see the heartbreaking story of Whisper on Thursday October 2 at 8.30pm.
If you can give Whisper the loving home she deserves, or are interested in adopting any of the rescue dogs, call Battersea on 0843 509 4444 or visit www.battersea.org.uk
