STAFF at the new £7.3million Dogs’ Trust Centre, in Wickford, are celebrating after finding new owners for their 200th homeless animal.

The rehoming centre, on the A127, opened less than two months ago.

The 200th dog to be rehomed was Ralph, an eight-year-old pomeranian, who arrived two weeks after it opened.

Adam Joseph, from the Dogs’ Trust, said: “Ralph is made even more special by the fact he has a heart condition, which means he is better suited to small bursts of energy.

“This has extended his search slightly, but thankfully one day a family walked in and fell in love with him.

“Ralph and his new owner are set to enjoy many slow-paced walks together.”

New owner Janet Gilmour, from Upminster, said: “It was love at first sight when we saw Ralph.

“He melted our hearts and we just knew we had to adopt him.

We both like to take things a bit slower so it’s a perfect match, although on his first day he raced up and down the garden and then leapt on to the armchair.

“It’s safe to say he’s settling in well and can now be found either watching the world go by from the windowsill or in his armchair.”

A spokesman from the Dogs’ Trust said the charity wanted to thank everyone who had made the milestone possible.

! A Dogs’ Trust charity shop will soon be opening in Rayleigh on August 15.