Being an RSPCA inspector can involve abseiling down a mountainside, swimming while fighting to stay afloat in all your clothes, and dealing with animals ranging from primates to pythons. Despite the challenging nature of the job, the RSPCA is anticipating thousands of applications for the position.

The RSPCA is appealing for information about a pedigree Victorian Bulldog found abandoned in Dagenham, East London.

They have named the tan-and-white female dog Princess, and estimate her age to be around 5 years old. She was found by a member of the public on Academy Way on Monday, 6th February, in the early hours of the morning. No only severely underweight, poor Princess was poorly, with a damaged tail and overgrown nails. She is beginning her recovery and receiving treatment from the charity.

Would you like to get – or stay – fitter, and raise money for a great cause at the same time? If so, do think about entering the Run Hackney Half Marathon and getting sponsorship to raise funds for the Mayhew Animal Home. Run Hackney has been running for 4 years now and has attracted growing support. It’s now established as one of the top ten half marathons in the UK. It takes place at Hackney Marshes in London, is flat and fast paced, the route is lined with supporters, and live entertainers offer distraction to runner.

You probably know that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the UK. But not every individual of the breed can claim the same popularity. For example, poor Buttons, a chocolate Labrador is one of the longest stay residents at Battersea’s Brands Hatch shelter.

You’ve probably read headlines about the French bulldog catching up to the Labrador as the UK’s most popular dog breed. The Kennel Club’s records show that in fact the French bulldog will not only become as popular as the Labrador, it will overtake it, and become the most popular dog breed in the UK.

Love is in the air at the moment, but one poor dog in the care of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, has been missing out on having a loving home of her own for way too long now.

Missy, who is a marvellous mongrel, has been in the charity’s care the longest of all their canine residents, and it’s high time she found her soulmate. So far, she has passed over 120 days in the London shelter – but let’s hope that Cupid can help her find a happily ever after. The average length of stay at Battersea is a month, so clearly, Missy is overdue to find a new owner.

One year old Staffordshire bull terrier cross, Skye, is hoping to find love this Valentine’s Day. She’s currently in the care of the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre in Kent, and staff are hoping to fine the paw-fect match for her.

Skye was found abandoned in Dover, and has since spent 188 days in kennels at the charity. She is a cuddly girl who enjoys going for walks – but she wants someone to share those walks with her.

“Skye is such a sweetheart and has the most beautiful brown eyes,” says Mel Dolling, an animal care assistant at RSPCA Leybourne.

With Valentine’s Day looming, let’s spare a thought for the most “unloved” dogs in the RSPCA’s care. In general, it takes a cat, dog or rabbit in the care of the RSPCA 39 days to find a new home – but for some unfortunate animals, it takes longer. And sometimes, it seems, their breed has a bearing on the length of their stay at a shelter.

Analysing the data, the charity has found that American Bulldogs are the breed most likely to spend the longest time waiting for their forever home. 66 days is the average length of time and American Bulldog spends at the RSPCA.

True love can be hard to find these days, but there is none truer than that lavished on us by our dogs. To celebrate this dogged devotion, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in Old Windsor is holding a special Valentine’s Day event on Saturday 11th February. Dog lovers – and their four legged best friends – are welcome to visit the centre and revel in Puppy Love.