FOLLOWING an appeal in last week's 'Post' for a new home for Zen, the American Bulldog who was abandoned by her owners just before Christmas, a home has now been found, writes Suzanne Cleave.

Zen was dropped off at Leburnick Kennels in Launceston by her owners who said they had a 'family crisis' but would be back to pick her up in three days' time.

Three days passed but the owners never returned. The kennels waited for three weeks to give the owners a chance to come back for their dog, but after receiving no contact, the hunt began for a new home for Zen.

Eddie Watson, who helps out at the kennels with his wife Anna, explained that Zen was given a full health check, and appeared to be fit and well. She also seemed to be good in the company of children and other dogs.

Although he was willing to pay for her food and lodge temporarily, he was eager to find a permanent home for Zen, to prevent her from having to be put down.

Eddie and Anna thought they may receive a handful of enquiries from would-be owners, but they were amazed at the response — a total of 52 offers of a possible home.

As well as people offering a potential home to Zen, others said they would be willing to give financial help to feed and house her until a suitable home was found.

"We've had so many phone calls, it's been wonderful. It's really heartwarming, there were just so many nice people. I thought if I had six phone calls I would be lucky. Hopefully we'll be able to home other dogs now."

After seeing the appeal in the 'Post,' people from Bude, Stratton, the Tavistock area, Callington, Bodmin, St Giles, Launceston and Hols­worthy contacted Eddie.

After a couple of home checks were carried out, Zen was re-homed in Launceston last Friday to Amanda Richards and Mel Stevens.

She has settled in well to her new home and is enjoying all the attention!

Leburnick Kennels has recently been awarded the contract with the police and Social Services to deal with stray dogs.

Eddie explained that some rescue centres can have a number of unavoidable rules, which can put people off. However, hopefully the kennels will be able to take the pressure off them by trying to house dogs that can be more difficult to home.

Often dogs such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers and others are not as welcome at homing centres, but now Eddie and other staff and helpers at the kennels have the contact details of people who would be willing to home such a dog if the occasion arose.

The re-homing process is on-going at the kennels, and a list is being compiled of potential homes for other stray dogs.

"That, to be honest, is one of the best things to come from this, even though the aim was to find Zen a home," said Eddie. "Thank you to the wonderful people who phoned and left messages, there was just so many of them, it's quite humbling really."