Carers have made the "heartbreaking and frustrating" admission that a Hertfordshire dog is now officially the UK's "most unloved".

Dutch Shepherd Mia has now spent a record 700 days in RSPCA care, the longest of any animal in the charity's care.

She is one of 118 animals at rehoming centres that have been without a forever home for more than 100 days.

Mia recently celebrated her fifth birthdayMia recently celebrated her fifth birthday (Image: RSPCA) Despite her loving, kind and affectionate nature, Mia is still yet to find her perfect owner - evidence of the growing rehoming crisis in England and Wales.

The RSPCA is hoping that its annual 'Adoptober' drive will help the dog find a home.

RSPCA staff say they are "desperate" to match Mia up with the "loving and experienced" owner she needs and deserves.

Mia has been at the Southridge Animal Centre since November 2022, having spent her early life in a foster home.

Mia began her life in a foster home.Mia began her life in a foster home. (Image: RSPCA) Claire Hoffman, who takes care of Mia said: “Mia has just celebrated her fifth birthday and we know that there must be someone out there who will give her the best ever birthday present - the gift of a perfect new forever home.

“All of us at the centre find Mia's situation really sad, heartbreaking and frustrating. We cannot understand why such a lovely, clever, deserving rescue dog has still not been adopted."

The RSCPA are hoping to find a home for Mia this month.The RSCPA are hoping to find a home for Mia this month. (Image: RSPCA) Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “We have so many absolutely wonderful dogs, cats and rabbits who through absolutely no fault of their own are sitting at rescue centres waiting patiently for the next chapter of their lives to begin.

"That chapter cannot start without the public coming forward to offer them homes."

Data released by the charity has found that the waiting time for dogs to be rehomed has risen by a third since 2019, with many centres now struggling with capacity.

Karen added: “Mia is a heartbreaking example, as she is still waiting after 700 days. But there are many other pets that have been with us for 100 days or more and have still not been rehomed."

Staff at the centre describe Mia as a "one in a million" dog.