Unwanted dog has her eye on a brand new home

Opotiki SPCA centre manager Kathleen Young hopes a family will adopt the dog, who she says is placid but playful and

A one-eyed pooch has been listed on Trade Me after lengthy efforts to find its owner.

Flatly dubbed One Eye, the sprightly kelpie cross has been put up for adoption on the auction site by the Opotiki SPCA, which has sheltered the dog since it was found wandering the streets in late April.

"She's quite an unusual dog, that's for sure," said centre manager Kathleen Young.

She has placed notices in newspapers and on pet websites and phoned vet clinics hoping to track down One Eye's former master.

"Someone has obviously spent a lot of money on her.

"Her eye has been surgically removed and then we noticed she has a large scar on her hind leg which would have been fixed at the vet."

Mrs Young estimated the operations would have amounted to about $1000.

"We spoke to the SPCA in Gisborne, but they hadn't heard of her - the dog's not microchipped either, so we couldn't track her that way.

"We waited for her owner to come forward, but after five weeks, you have to think that person no longer cares - so now we've put her up for re-homing."

As to how One Eye ended up with one eye, Mrs Young has no idea.

"It's a real mystery - it might have been a hunting accident.

"But her one eye doesn't seem to bother her.

"I've taken her out on walks and her hearing's pretty good.

"She's probably lived with one eye for a long time and I don't think it's been an issue for her."

She described the dog as a "real character" and "very, very friendly".

"She's placid, but playful - when you dangle a leash in front of her she thinks it's fantastic that it's her turn for a walk.

"My hope would be that she goes to a good home where she'll be fed, watered, exercised and loved.

"She'll definitely make a neat family pet for someone."

But as for the name?

"Oh, they're welcome to change it.

"One Eye might not be a very social name but it's been a good way to distinguish her from other dogs at the shelter."