The dogs were all removed from one location in Norfolk after their owner became unable to care for them.

They were signed over into the care of the RSPCA in late March and were assessed over three days at the Block Fen Animal Centre in Wimblington, Cambridgeshire.

From there, the operation began to move the Labradors to five other RSPCA animal centres to give them the best chance of finding new homes.

Block Fen is caring for 40 of the animals; Radcliffe-on-Trent Animal Shelter in Nottinghamshire has 20; Chesterfield Animal Centre in Derbyshire has 10; Woodside Animal Centre in Leicester has two; Derby Animal Shelter has six; and Blackberry Farm Animal Centre in Buckinghamshire has four.

Most of the dogs were healthy when they came into RSPCA care, but many have been treated for ear mites and lice, and some may develop hip dysplasia problems caused by inter breeding.

None of them were used to people and had never been house-trained or trained to walk on a lead.

They lived indoors and have not met children, cats, cars or even heard a television.

As a result the dogs are nervous and will need special homes with owners who have the time and patience to help them adapt to every day life.

At Block Fen there is a mixture of black, chocolate and golden-coloured Labradors.

All are aged over six years. Call Block Fen Animal Centre on 0300 123 0726.

At Radcliffe-on-Trent, the dogs are aged between six and 10 years and are either black or chocolate in colour.


Daffodil, May, Snowdrop, Merlin and friends are nervous in unfamiliar surroundings and have not been socialised with people. Call Radcliffe Animal Shelter on 01159 334422.

Chesterfield's dogs are either black or chocolate-coloured. Most of them are aged between four and five years old.

There are three particularly nervous dogs which will need experienced owners who can provide them with specialist care and they may also benefit from living with another obedient and well-trained dog. Call Chesterfield Animal Centre on 01246 273358.

Woodside has two black dogs named Sue and Daze. Sue is eight-years-old and has a curly coat. She is a confident and very friendly dog.

Daze is aged between 18 months and two years and will need more work as she is quite nervous.

Both dogs would benefit from being rehomed with another dog. Neither Sue nor Daze is responding well to the kennel environment and they urgently need new homes. Call Woodside Animal Centre on 0116 2336677.

Derby have six dogs, five black and one golden-coloured. They are all over five years old. Most of them are ready for new homes although they are still being monitored by a vet. Call Derby Animal Shelter on 01332 344620.

Blackberry Farm's chocolate and black dogs are not currently ready for rehoming as they are still under veterinary treatment, but enquiries are welcome. All of them are over four years old. Call 0300 123 0752.

For information about these dogs, please contact the above centres only - between 10am and 4pm - or visit www.rspca.org.uk/rehoming.

RSPCA Animal Welfare Manager for the East region, Paul Williams, said: "With the correct socialisation and plenty of TLC we are in no doubt that these dogs will all make great pets.

"Having spent so long living as a pack and having little human contact, they deserve to live the rest of their lives in caring homes.

"We took these dogs in on a Monday morning and staff at Block Fen had them all assessed and vet checked within 72 hours. It is thanks to the dedicated work of all our animal centres and inspectors that most of the dogs are ready for new homes in just two weeks."

All the Labradors will be neutered, microchipped and up to date with vaccinations when they are rehomed.

Potential owners are being asked to consider if they have the time and experience to take on one of these very special dogs. Please consider:

• Are you experienced? These dogs are not first-time pets. Their owners will need to recognise certain behaviours and be prepared to deal with difficulties

• Try a little patience. Owners will need endless time and patience. Everything will be new to the dogs and they may be fearful.

• Can you commit? These dogs need a stable home for the rest of their lives.

• Are they ready yet? Each dog will be rehomed as soon as they are fit enough and ready to face another challenge, but you can still visit them and reserve those which aren't quite ready to go home.

• How else you can help. If you don't feel you can give one of the dogs a home, please contact your local animal centre to see if you can help in other ways, such as volunteering, fundraising or donating.