Stuck in SPCA - and no one wants her

Carla Merrie says Torsha, who is deaf, is patient with children and very friendly. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Torsha the deaf terrier cross is stuck in an SPCA home and no one wants her.

The affable 3-year-old former farm dog is resident at the Waikato SPCA in Hamilton - and staff are trying to teach her sign language so a new owner can communicate with her.

She was given up for adoption after her previous owners, a South Waikato couple, split.

She is patient with the many children who visit the SPCA and likes to play, go for walks and lick and jump on everything in sight.

Her carer, part-time kennel attendant Carla Merrie, believes Torsha was born with her disability and said staff were trying to teach her sign commands she could recognise.

"She would need probably three signs, the sit, the down and the stay. She will also need an owner who respects the fact she is deaf.

"We are hoping she goes to a home with another dog so she has someone to play with. We need someone who is willing to put in the time and effort into her because she is a special needs dog."

Ms Merrie said it would cost $180 to adopt Torsha, who is fit, friendly, fully vaccinated, desexed and microchipped. But because of her disability she still has not found a home.

"We will keep her for as long as it takes but there has been no interest in her at all, which is very sad."

Also sad was the worrying and growing number of abandoned pets SPCA staff in Hamilton were noticing.

Ms Merrie said every dog had a behavioural test before being adopted out. "Some may need exercise or work on commands or their temperament - it helps us match them to the owner."