A local dog rescue centre is worried several dogs will be put down during the festive season.

Dorset Dog Rescue says it is already inundated with dogs and fears pressure will rise over the Christmas period, leaving a large number of dogs without a home.

“Normally we’re the busiest just after Christmas, but this year it started already in early November,” says founder Julia Liddle.

She thinks the reason for the high numbers of dogs is partially because a lot of elderly people are going into care homes and leaving their dogs behind.

Others seem to have gotten in the way of Christmas arrangements.

“A lot of puppies get adopted in March but get taken back to us now, because they are no longer cute and fluffy but still needs a lot of attention “People don’t want to deal with the expenses and that sort of responsibility around Christmas,” she says.

The rescue centre is based in Dorset but works with re-homing dogs across the UK.

They have a network of 42 foster carers who looks after the dogs until they find a permanent home.

The organisation has been running for 5 years, but with 45 dogs in their care this is the first time they have to turn dogs down.

Their website tells of successful work but also frustration as not everyone seems to understand the hard work a dog can be. Some are returned to the Dorset Dog Rescue within just hours or days of being adopted.

One message from Julia and the manager Natalie reads “sometimes I don’t think people take the responsibility of taking on a dog seriously even though at the time they declare to”.

At dorsetdogrescue.com you can read all about the organisation, their work and their dogs.

Julia and her colleagues will be working almost every day over the Christmas period to ensure as many dogs as possible find loving homes.