TIME is running out for a "perfect dog" who needs to find a stable home.

Sam is a ten-year-old collie cross who was brought to the RSPCA in York last month, but has spent much of his stay travelling to the vets due to a serious illness.

Valerie Hurst is one of the RSPCA carers, and said Sam was "an adorable dog", but had diabetes which was likely to be triggered or exacerbated by stress, such as the environment of the RSPCA centre.

Valerie said: "He arrived with us in October after his owner died, and he was completely lost when he was first brought in. He's spent most of his time at the vets because of his diabetes.

"He can't be stabilised at all at the RSPCA centre. He's been to the vets, and we have tried every possible thing, but according to the vet the the only hope he's got is to be in a home environment."

Valerie said she hoped a good home could be found for Sam soon, as vets believed a safe and loving family environment could help his condition.

She said: "We've had a lot of people enquiring but because of his condition he has to be sent back to the vet.

"It's come to the critical point now that it's a real emergency, and if we don't find someone willing to foster him really quickly it's putting his life at risk. He's very, very easygoing and just a perfect dog but it's tragic really. He may well stabilise and have a few years ahead of him, but we can't offer him that at the RSPCA and we have only got a couple of weeks before we have to look at other options. The last thing we want to do is have him put down. We would be completely heartbroken but it may be the only option. We all fell in love with him. He's amazing. It's just so sad."

If you can help Sam find a home, phone the RSPCA on 01904 654949.