A WIMBORNE-based dog rescue is appealing for canine Christmas presents after reaching capacity at the shelter.

Waggy Tails Rescue now has over 40 dogs in their care, from tiny puppies to geriatrics, but volunteers are still receiving calls every day to take more in.

The charity, which is desperate to re-home some of the pets in their care, now urgently needs basic items including towels, blankets and dog beds.

The charity also needs toys and food for the dogs.

Chairman of the charity Shelagh Meredith said: “We are so busy, and the phone is always ringing.

“Christmas is always a busy time for us anyway, for lots of reasons, but we have more dogs here than we have ever had. Calls come in constantly. It’s overwhelming. We’ve got lots of dogs here, but fewer people are adopting at the moment, so it’s very hard.”

The rescue’s youngest dogs are a pair of six-month-old German Shepherd pups, who have been at the shelter for most of their lives.

Jacob, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, has been with volunteers for the longest amount of time at two years and two months.

Shelagh said this Christmas, there was no room at the inn for dogs but people were still getting rid of their pets.

“Really, we have reached capacity,” she said.

“There are all sorts of reasons why we are so busy. A lot of it is to do with the recession – people aren’t taking in animals they can’t afford, which is very sensible, but alongside that more people are finding themselves in trouble and having to get rid of their animals.”

Any of the items the rescue is looking for can be dropped into any of their shops or the office in the Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne.

If this isn’t possible, call 01202 875000 to see if it is possible for a supporter to come and collect the items from you.

The office is open every day except for Christmas and Boxing Day.

The rescue is also holding an open day for anyone interested in re-homing a dog on January 5 at the Memorial Hall in West Parley from 10am.