Monday, 14 September 2026 11:07
It has been a deeply emotional milestone for the RSPCA Cornwall Branch this week as Thomas and Tommy, the final two terriers from a large welfare intake earlier this year, have now been rehomed, bringing an extraordinary rescue journey to a happy close.
Earlier this year, the branch took in 40 dogs from a complex welfare situation involving 65 animals. Among them were pregnant mums, mothers with tiny puppies and dogs needing urgent veterinary treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Thomas and Tommy were part of that group, arriving frightened, overwhelmed and in need of patient, specialist care.
When Tommy arrived, he was nervous around unfamiliar people and new situations, and needed a calm, consistent approach to help him learn that he was safe. However, one of his biggest breakthroughs came when he finally found the confidence to explore the centre’s paddocks, something that had once felt impossible for him.
Tommy has now found a new home (Credit: RSPCA Cornwall Branch)
Thomas also completed his own journey, gradually building trust and learning the everyday skills he needed to thrive in a home environment.
This week, both dogs took the step the team had been hoping for: they both went home.
A spokesperson for RSPCA Cornwall Branch said: “Watching Thomas and Tommy leave this week has been incredibly emotional.
“When these dogs first arrived, our priority wasn’t finding them homes as quickly as possible. It was giving each of them the time, care and rehabilitation they needed so that, when that day came, they had the best possible chance of succeeding.
“Thomas and Tommy were the final two terriers from this intake still waiting, so seeing them both begin their new lives in the same week feels like the end of a very special chapter.”
The story of the dogs captured the attention of the Cornish community earlier this year when the branch launched an appeal to help meet the considerable cost of caring for so many animals at once.
Thomas has also completed his own rehabilitation journey (Credit: RSPCA Cornwall Branch)
One of the dogs, Angel, required significant veterinary intervention after arriving with severe muscle wastage in one of her back legs, caused by an old, untreated injury. Sadly, her leg could not be saved, and she underwent amputation surgery to free her from ongoing pain.
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The public rallied behind her, donating towards her treatment and the wider care of the group.
With Thomas and Tommy now leaving this week, the branch says it marks another important milestone in a story defined by patience, teamwork and community support.
Angel, required particularly significant veterinary intervention (Credit: RSPCA Cornwall Branch)
“There were no quick fixes for these dogs,” the spokesperson added. “Rehabilitation takes time, particularly for animals who have had difficult starts in life. Some needed medical treatment, while others needed to learn confidence, trust and many of the everyday things we often take for granted.”
RSPCA Cornwall Rehomes Final Two Terriers From Major Rescue