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Bella's year-long search for her forever home

Andy Martindalein Shrewsbury
News imageDogs Trust Photograph of Doberman dog Bella, who has dark brown and tan fur. She is looking into the camera with her mouth slightly open. She is on a green, grassy field with some dog agility ramps behind her. Dogs Trust
Bella has spent the past year at the Dogs Trust's Oakfield Oldies while waiting for a new home

A senior dog who has spent the past year at a retirement home for pets is still looking for a family to call her own.

Bella, a 10-year-old Doberman, has lived at Oakfield Oldies, the Dogs Trust's Shropshire home for older dogs, since September 2025.

Staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury say the "gentle and affectionate" dog would make a "wonderful companion" and hope she can find a permanent home.

Her story comes as the charity reveals it has received 177 requests to take in older dogs so far this year.

Bella arrived at Oakfield Oldies after one of her owners died and the family was no longer able to care for her.

News imageAndy Martindale/BBC Photo of a woman walking a dog (Bella). The dog is a large, smooth-coated Doberman with dark brown and tan fur. The woman walking her has long brown hair tied back, and is wearing black trousers, a grey top, and a black gilet. They are walking down a path outside a large timber-clad building which has a large yellow sign with "Dogs Trust" written on it in black letters. Andy Martindale/BBC
Older dogs wait an average of 80 days to be rehomed, according to the Dogs Trust

Despite her age, she remains energetic and playful, according to rehoming manager Steffanie Parker.

"She has plenty of energy, she absolutely loves playtime and having fun," Parker said.

"There is often an assumption that older dogs go slower, but that is definitely not the case for Bella."

The charity said Bella could live with owners who are confident handling larger breeds and would be happiest in a household with children of primary school age or older.

News imageDogs Trust Photograph of Doberman dog Bella, who has dark brown and tan fur. She is looking into the camera with her mouth slightly open. She is pictured indoors, in a room with cream walls and a shelf behind Bella holding a photograph of a dog in a heart shaped frame, a vase with flowers, and a small teddy bear. Bella is wearing a yellow bandana. Dogs Trust
The 10-year-old Doberman is described as a "gentle and affectionate" companion

Bella currently lives at Oakfield Oldies, a Victorian cottage at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury that provides a quieter, more home-like setting for older dogs.

Instead of kennels, the dogs have access to comforts including sofas and everyday household surroundings designed to create a calm atmosphere.

Parker said older dogs often wait longer to be rehomed through no fault of their own.

On average, dogs aged five and over spend about 80 days waiting for a new home, compared with 34 days for dogs aged one year or younger.

However, she said the Oakfield Oldies scheme had been "going really well", with six older dogs finding homes so far in 2026.

"Older dogs still have so much love to give," Parker said.

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