RSPCA NSW gentle giant Lucius is the dog no one wants
He is the dog no one wants. Once a very much loved family pet, Lucius, the 7-year-old mastiff, has been on adoption row for 250 days — the RSCPA’s NSW longest term resident. So why doesn’t anyone want him?
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He’s the Sydney dog no one wants. Lucius the seven-year-old mastiff has spent 250 days on adoption row and is currently RSPCA NSW’s longest term resident.
Once content in a loving home, Lucius was surrendered last October after his owner died.
“He’s just gorgeous and I don’t understand how people are just walking past this boy,” said RSPCA shelter trainer Kylie Grech.
Universally adored by staff at the Yagoona shelter, Ms Grech said they were desperate to find their gentle giant a home.
“When he sits in the kennel, he just sits there quietly and looks at people,” she said.
“He’s a real sweetheart. It does tug at the heartstrings because you go, ‘Why doesn’t anyone look at him? Why doesn’t anyone want him?’ ”
Lucius ticks all the boxes for an adoption row long-termer. A typical crossbreed found in shelters, last year 135 mastiff crossbreeds were surrendered into RSPCA NSW’s care.
The average time it takes to rehome a larger breed is 28 days and staff are baffled as to why Lucius’ forever home is taking so long to find.
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“The smaller dogs that are more suited to a lot of families, they're the fluffier breeds, the cuter dogs — they tend to get adopted more quickly, ” Ms Grech said. “For our slightly older dogs that are hitting their senior years, it can take a lot longer to find them a home.”
To give him a break from the kennels, staff have moved him in with foster carer Louisa Fitzgerald.
To find out more, contact the RSPCA’s foster care team on 9770 7503 or email sydneyfostercare@rspcansw.org.au or visit Lucius’ profile.
“He deserves a chance to be back in a family environment,” said Ms Grech. “He’s already been in this shelter environment for months, so it’s amazing for him, it’s like a holiday.”
Lucius is Ms Fitzgerald’s 21st RSPCA foster animal and the 20-year-old design student said he had slotted in beautifully with her parents and sister.
“As soon as I met him, there was no way I could not bring this dog home,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “He’s very chilled, you can tell he’s like a mature old guy.
“He’s happy to be on his own, lie in the sun but he also does want to play with you and loves going for walks. He’s kind of the perfect pet and I can’t fault him.”
Ms Grech said Lucius has some special requirements for adoption.
He must be the only dog in the household and will do best with children over 12. He also won’t suit homes with cats or pocket pets.
RSPCA vets have also identified spondylosis or “old man back” in the mastiff although he shows no symptoms and may never require treatment.
“My hopes for Lucius is that very soon, he finds his forever home in a loving environment with someone who will love him and all of his good quirks, because he’ll return all of that love unconditionally.”
Originally published as RSPCA NSW gentle giant Lucius is the dog no one wants
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