A rescue dog who suffered serious injuries just days after arriving at his forever home was left needing £7,000 of vet treatment.

Patch is a three-year-old blue greyhound and was under the care of Kent Greyhound Rescue (KGR), near Hythe, before he was adopted late last year.

He was returned to the centre in January as the new owners did not feel they were able to provide a long-term home for him.

Patch then went to a foster home in London and was looked after by KGR volunteer Hannah Wilson.

She said: "When he arrived, he was very anxious. He struggled with walking and often froze frequently. He was somewhat shut down.

"With lots of love, patience, walking around the block many times to build his confidence and treats, Patch came out of his shell and became an extremely affectionate, content and much-loved dog.

"He became adept at public transport, travelling on buses, trains and the DLR routinely and even travelled to North Yorkshire by car.

"Everyone who meets him finds him friendly and gentle and our family and friends fell completely in love with him.

"His ultimate happiness seemed to be being surrounded by lots of people giving him attention."

After several months in foster care, Patch was adopted again but shortly after arriving in his new home had an accident and broke his foot in several places.

He was returned to KGR as the adopters could not deal with the after care and the charity is covering the cost of his operation and vet bills, expected to be around £7,000.

Now with another foster carer in Maidstone, the four-legged friend has been advised to stay in a crate for six weeks to limit his movement and allow the injury to heal.

New foster mum Emma said: "He was very anxious when he arrived as he had so much change in the last few weeks and he is not used to being in the crate so much.

"The foster family are making a big fuss of him to help him settle in and giving him lots of ear rubs to help keep him as relaxed as possible."

She later added: "Patch is more relaxed today, we have changed to a muzzle which seems to have calmed him a lot. He is eating well and taking his meds in cheese which he loves.

"He has been having a little UV treatment for healing this weekend. He is no longer anxious, eating really well and still taking his meds."

A full recovery is likely to take six months and after he will again be looking for a permanent home.

Kent Greyhound Rescue is now trying to raise the money needed to get Patch back on his feet. If you would to donate click here.

The registered charity is based in Hythe and also rescue greyhounds can often be seen being walked around Headcorn. It finds new homes for around 150 abandoned and unwanted greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds each year.