Sussex rescue dog finds loving home after TikTok campaign ends years in kennels

Five-year-old collie cross Sadie was rescued by the RSPCA from a property where around 200 dogs were living in unsuitable conditions, in outdoor compounds with little socialisation.

She later came into the care of the RSPCA Brighton & Heart of Sussex Branch in Patcham, where staff helped build her confidence while searching for someone who could meet her needs.

As Sadie approached 1,000 days in kennels, the team began posting a video of her every day on TikTok to help potential adopters see her personality.

On day 83 of the campaign, Mabel Edge, from Westward Ho! in Devon, discovered Sadie after a colleague shared one of the videos.

Mabel, 51, said: “When I first saw the clips of her, I was taken by how sweet she seemed and couldn’t believe she’d been waiting for a home for so long.

“I found myself checking back in every day to see what she’d been up to, and said to my partner Al how sad it was that nobody wanted her. And then he said, well why don’t we go and look at her?”

The couple had not been looking for another dog after losing their previous rescue dog last year. However, they felt their experience with rescue animals and rural life in Devon could offer Sadie the calm, patient home she needed.

They made two trips to Brighton, spending time with Sadie on four occasions before taking her home.

Mabel said: “After a couple of visits with us, we could see her slowly letting her guard down and she was just so sweet.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy and we would need to work with Sadie, but we knew we could give her something better than what she had in kennels.”

Sadie was initially available for rehoming through the RSPCA Cornwall Branch from September 2023, before moving to the Patcham branch in April 2024.

According to the charity, legal processes and her recovery and rehabilitation contributed to her lengthy wait for a home.

Six months after her adoption, Sadie is enjoying beach walks, campervan trips and cuddles with her new owners.

Having never lived in a home before, she needed to learn basics such as toilet training, which she quickly picked up.

Mabel said: “When she first came home she spent a lot of time scanning her surroundings for danger and was often on high alert.

“But as time has gone on, we can see her learning to relax and learn that she is safe with us.

“She’ll sprawl on the bed with us in the morning, and when the alarm goes off she nudges us for strokes – she’s so affectionate and has this absolute desire to love and be loved.”

The couple are working with a dog trainer to help Sadie overcome fears linked to her past. She can still react to other dogs, even from a distance, but is now able to accompany Mabel and Al to cafes and pubs.

Jenny Eden, manager at the RSPCA Brighton Branch, said: “Sadie sadly spent a long time with us – it really felt like she was Britain’s loneliest dog.

“My team worked so hard bit by bit over months to build her confidence and help her learn to trust people. Then we really needed to find someone with the patience to give her a chance.

“TikTok helped us showcase her personality with people she knew, so it gave us a real opportunity to show the gorgeous girl she really is.”

She added: “Sadie is a sweet, affectionate dog who just wanted to be loved, and we’re so glad she’s found that with Mabel and Al.”

The charity is sharing Sadie’s story during its annual Adoptober campaign, which encourages people to consider adopting animals rescued from cruelty and neglect.

The RSPCA said its frontline officers responded to more than 4,200 incidents involving 10 or more animals at a single address in 2025, involving 88,000 animals.

It warned that cases involving large numbers of animals are putting pressure on its staff, volunteers and rehoming spaces.

RSPCA chief executive Jo Rowland said: “We currently have more animals in our care than space in our centres and branches – and it’s a heartbreaking situation that other animal charities and rescue centres are also facing - that’s why we are asking people with space in their home for a pet to consider adopting.”

For Mabel and Al, giving Sadie a chance has brought a new source of happiness.

Mabel said: “Sadie is a beautiful dog, so loving and sweet - she brings a completely new dynamic to our house. Yes, there’s a lot of dirt and hairs now – but also so much joy and connection.

“Rescuing her really is the best decision we could have made.”