Dog finds new home for Christmas after years in shelter

A dog has found a forever home in time for Christmas after spending years at an animal shelter.

Kato the akita came into the care of Cheltenham Animal Shelter in April 2021 with his best friend, Poppy, following the death of their owner.

The pair struggled to find a home together and, in July 2023, Poppy died, leaving Kato “alone and depressed”.

Following years of appeals to find him a home, Kato will be spending his first Christmas with a couple whose dog recently died.

David and Jackie, Kato’s new owners, got in touch with Cheltenham Animal Shelter in October following the death of their Siberian husky, Shadow, to arrange to meet the akita.

While they were not expecting much from their first time meeting Kato in one of the shelter’s paddocks, Allison Jarvis, head of fundraising, said Kato “came running over to introduce himself”.

“It was clearly meant to be,” she said.

The couple met Kato on several more occasions, first at the shelter and then at their home.

Ms Jarvis said Kato’s “wishes came true” after spending more than 1,300 days at the shelter.

“It is safe to say that Kato approved of his new surroundings, immediately taking over the chair that Shadow once slept in,” Ms Jarvis said.

“His new family dote on him and are chuffed to bits that they were able to offer him a lovely new home where he will spend Christmas this year.

Ms Jarvis encouraged the public to donate to Cheltenham Animal Shelter’s Christmas appeal.

“Thanks to our supporters, we were able to care for Kato for the 1,323 days he needed us,” she said.

“During his stay, we made sure he had all the love, food, treats, training, exercise, behavioural support and medical care he needed to stay happy and healthy.”