A teenager in Kent had sneakily gone behind her mum’s back in adopting one of the biggest dog breeds there are, in a Tibetan Mastiff she saw listed for free online
A mum returned home to a giant Tibetan Mastiff in her living room which her daughter adopted behind her back.
The teenage girl spotted seven-year-old Simba advertised for free on Pets 4 Homes and decided to get in touch to give her mum a 45kg surprise.
Less than amused however the girl’s mother did not share her desire for a new dog and explained the situation to the RSPCA in Kent who have since taken Simba in.
RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod collected him from the family home in North Kent on February 6, Kent Online reports.
She said: “We were contacted by a woman over the weekend after she returned from work on the Friday evening to find all 45kgs of Simba in her living room.
“Simba had been advertised on Pets 4 Homes as ‘free to a good home’ by his previous owners when they could no longer keep him.
“The previous owner rehomed him to a teenage girl who inquired about him without her mum’s knowledge.
“He’s microchipped so I managed to trace his original owners and advised them that they should have sought help from a reputable charity to ensure a good home for Simba.
“They signed him over into our care and we’ve now taken him into our rescue centre in Kent.”
Kirsten explained Simba was in desperate need of veterinary attention as his thick coat had become matted, he is 20kg underweight and has an abscess he is being treated for.
Once neutered and given the all-clear by vets, the RSPCA will launch a search for Simba’s new loving family.
Kirsten said: “Simba is such a laid-back, gentle and sweet lad.
“He really is an absolute joy to be around and it doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened to him as a result of him being offered ‘free to a good home’ online.”
Amid fears that ‘pandemic pets’ will sooner or later out stay their welcome in homes up and down the country, the RSPCA has urged families who are struggling to care for their pets to seek help from reputable charities and rescue centres.
