Liverpool Animal Shelter: Southwest Sydney’s loneliest dog waiting for a home

After spending more than 130 days in the Liverpool Animal Shelter, two loveable dogs Hulk and Tink are ready to find their forever homes. Can you help?

Hulk the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is in desperate need of a forever home after spending 138 days in the Liverpool Animal Shelter.

The four-year-old Staffy cross was found roaming around Kemps Creek in southwest Sydney and was brought into the no-kill shelter on May 1.

Hulk has become the shelter’s longest canine resident, exceeding the average time of 50 to 60 days for an animal to be adopted and rehomed.

Despite his unlucky journey to find an owner, Hulk has become a much-loved favourite with the shelter’s long-time staff.

Liverpool Animal Shelter’s animal rehoming officer Bianca Oitmann said Hulk loves a good belly rub and was “extremely treat driven”.

Hulk is ready for adoption at the Liverpool Animal Shelter. Picture: Supplied.

Hulk loves a good belly rub. Picture: Kirsten Jelinek

“Hulk’s big secret is that he loves the hose, so bathtime and the summertime is quite fun,” Ms Oitmann said. “I don’t know who gets wetter, myself or him. It’s just amazing watching him run around chasing the hose and enjoying himself.”

But the loveable Hulk isn’t the only animal struggling to secure adoption.

Animal Rehoming Officer Bianca Oitmann, Liverpool Deputy Mayor, Councillor Karress Rhodes and Tink. Picture: Kirsten Jelinek

Tink the seven-year-old Bull-mastiff Cross is the oldest animal waiting to find her forever family since arriving at the shelter without a microchip in June.

The loveable canine nicknamed ‘Tinkerbell’ and ‘Tinkywinky’ by staff is described as a “big girl with a big heart”.

“When she (Tink) came into the shelter she was underweight and being an older dog the shelter is a more stressful environment as they take longer to cope than younger dogs,” Ms Oitmann said.

But the shelter’s “cuddle bug” has “stolen everyone’s hearts” and enjoys long snuggles with the staff.

Tink is looking for her forever home. Picture: Supplied.

“Whenever I’m holding her, she’ll cuddle up to me. But if you stop hugging her, she’ll put her paw up and ask you to come back for more,” Ms Oitmann said.

Liverpool deputy mayor Karress Rhodes said the shelter’s small team was “made big by their passion and commitment to the animals”.

“If you take an animal from the shelter, you’re not only giving them a second chance but saving them when they didn’t have the best start in life,” she said.

“The shelter is a big issue for the community and I think you can’t help but fall in love with a dog.”

Animal Rehoming Officer Bianca Oitmann and the shelter’s “cuddle bug”, Tink. Picture: Kirsten Jelinek.

Cr Rhodes said there had been an increase in animals arriving at the shelter across the last year.

“We had around 60 dogs that went through the pound and that would usually be around 40,” she said. “We’re putting that down to the economy and people are now stressed about money and sometimes unfortunately, people will just leave the gate open to get rid of that responsibility which is sad.”

But if you’re looking for your forever best friend, Ms Oitmann said residents should consider adopting a shelter dog.

“There’s the old myth that shelter dogs are broken dogs and they’re not. They’re the most loving animals and deserve a loving home.”

Hulk and Tink are available for adoption for $50 during the Happily Ever After campaign at the Liverpool Animal Shelter.