Mia the dog’s “record-breaking” stay after almost 600 days at RSPCA Lonsdale

This good girl was collateral damage of SA’s housing crisis and she’s not alone as Australians consider giving up pets amid rental and cost of living pressures.

Mia the dog was collateral damage of the state’s housing crisis and has now set a heartbreaking, record racking up almost 600 days without a loving home.

The four-year-old mix breed was surrendered to the RSPCA in 2020 and has been adopted, only to be returned three times since.

Now she has taken the disheartening title of the longest amount of time any dog has ever been in the organisation’s care and available for adoption.

Foster carer Rhapsody Auckett with Mia the dog who has spent 600 days at the RSPCA. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

RSPCA Lonsdale volunteer Jill Phillips said Mia was first given up because of the rental crisis, but her record-breaking stay had not been helped by a skin condition, which would cost a potential owner around $225 a month to manage with creams and medication.

Mia has received an anonymous $1500 donation which animal care manager Sam Margrave said was enough to cover the first year of medical costs for anyone willing to adopt her.

“We have united to remove all the roadblocks we can in an all-out blitz to find her a loving home,” she said.

The pooch, who gets along better with humans than other dogs, is currently being fostered by RSPCA volunteer Rhapsody Auckett.

Mia currently lives with foster carer Rhapsody Auckett. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

But Mia is not alone. A Mars global 2024 study found Australian pet owners were struggling to secure animal-friendly housing amid cost of living pressures.

“Eight per cent of dog owners are likely to give up their pet within the next 12 months due to their living situation or because they are moving home and cannot take their pet with them,” RSPCA senior scientific officer Sarah Zito said.

Anyone interested in adopting Mia can check out her RSPCA profile or call the Mia Hotline on 0427 725 692.