SOARING demand for puppies in Merseyside since lockdown began has prompted calls for animal lovers to consider giving a golden oldie their perfect retirement home.

Dogs Trust Merseyside say Google searches for buying a puppy increased by a huge 213% since March last year, compared to the previous twelve months.

In the nine months up to the end of March this year, almost 50% of people looking to adopt a dog from Dogs Trust were looking for a four-legged friend under six months, compared to 5% looking for a dog aged eight or over.

Now the animal welfare charity is urging people to remember that when it comes to giving a rescue dog a second chance, older dogs need new homes too – and have lots to offer.

One Older Age Pooch (OAP) looking for somewhere to rest her paws is 17-year-old Lola who was handed over to the rehoming centre after a change in her family’s circumstances meant they could no longer keep her.

Georgina Lowery, manager at Dogs Trust Merseyside, said: "Lola was a much-loved dog and it's so sad that her owners couldn’t keep her, but I am sure we will find her her perfect retirement home.

"She is staying with one of our lovely foster carers at the moment so she is continuing to enjoy all her home comforts and is adjusting well.

"She has a lovely personality and her foster carers say she loves watching the world go by from a comfy sofa.

"She really enjoys going out into the garden too so we’d like her new home to have a secure garden where she can potter around.

"She can live with older teenagers but she is partially deaf so her new family will need to be aware of that.

She will make a lovely canine companion and will be a great addition to a family.”

Georgina continued: "In the last year so many people have wanted to welcome a puppy into their family, but older dogs like Lola make fantastic companions too.

"Older dogs are often calmer and less energetic so although they may still be playful and enjoy a stroll in the park, hiking up hills may be a thing of the past for them, which suits some owners, young and old.

"Also with an older dog, what you see is what you get both in terms of personality and size and although you can certainly teach an older dog new tricks, they usually know the training basics and have experienced many things in their lives, so as long as they have had positive experiences, they will take things in their stride.

"Helping an older dog like Lola enjoy their autumnal years and giving them the chance to live their best life is incredibly rewarding.

"We would urge anyone looking to welcome a dog into their life to consider giving a golden oldie their forever home where they can relax and rest their paws in their twilight years.”

To find out how Dogs Trust is working to change the tale for older dogs like Lola, go to https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/olddogs

For more on caring for an older dog, visit dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/getting-or-buying-a-dog/rehoming-and-looking-after-an-older-dog