A lurcher, dubbed the RSPCA's "loneliest dog", has finally been adopted after spending 578 days being looked after in kennels.

Gary, a three-year-old dog, has spent more than a third of his life in kennels.

During that time, 194 other dogs were adopted, leaving Gary to wait for his forever home at RSPCA South Godstone Animal Centre.

The RSPCA released a national appeal online to try and help Gary find his future owner.

The appeal was spotted on social media by Joanne Baxter, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, who travelled 217 miles to adopt him.

Gary was dubbed the RSPCA's 'loneliest dog' (RSPCA)

"I saw his appeal on social media and I had friends tagging me as I had adopted a rescue greyhound previously and had mentioned we wanted another dog," Ms Baxter said.

"I was worried I would be far down the list to adopt him as we live so far away but I don't think he had had too much interest so we were invited down to meet him and it went from there."

Ms Baxter said that Gary is a "lovely friendly animal" and is a "real character" in their home.

Gary with staff at RSPCA South Godstone (RSPCA)

"We've been home two days now and he hasn't needed much adjustment at all, it's like he has always been here," Ms Baxter said.

"He has his spot on the rug where he loves sleeping and he has loved getting out for walks with the family."

Ms Baxter added that Gary has "slotted right in" with the family.

Gary with his new owner Joanne Baxter and her partner, Andrew (RSPCA)

Emily Jefferson, an animal care assistant at RSPCA South Godstone Animal Centre, said Gary's adoption is "tinged with sadness" as the staff "will miss him".

"Gary was our longest stay dog overall so we are all delighted this has worked out for him," Ms Jefferson said.

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"You can't help but get attached when a dog has been with you that long and he was always in reception with us as he's such a happy soul who loves being around people.

"This is the best outcome for Gary so we hope he has a long happy life with his new family."

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Last week, it was announced that a dog called Scamp the Tramp had been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog at the annual contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.

The organisers of the competition state that the aim of the event is to bring “visibility to the many pups who end up rescuing the families that have adopted them rather than the other way around”.

They explain that many of the dogs who have taken part in the contest in the past have been rescued from animal shelters and puppy mills.