PETS At Home has launched its Santa Paws appeal to raise money for animals in need at Christmas.

Until December 24, stores across the UK will be aiming to help Support Adoption For Pets raise enough money to fund 2.4million dinners for abandoned pets over Christmas.

Pets At Home across the area will be raising money for Pound Puppy Rescue in Poole along with over 440 stores across the country.

For those shopping in Pets At Home throughout December, the team at Support Adoption For Pets in Christchurch will be giving customers the opportunity to support the Santa Paws appeal by donating 50p - enough to fund one Christmas dinner for a rescue pet.

Animal lovers can also donate £3 by texting BOWL01 to 70070, or an amount of their choosing online at www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/santapaws

Support Adoption For Pets Fundraising Manager, Amy Wilson said: “We are delighted to announce that once again we’ll be launching our annual Santa Paws appeal to ensure that rescue pets across the country can enjoy a Christmas dinner. We hope that the nation will dig deep and think of those pets who are unfortunate enough to find themselves without an owner this Christmas.”

Support Adoption For Pets was established by Pets At Home in 2006. The charity has since helped over 1,000 rehoming centres and pet rescue organisations across the UK through grant funding and support. In addition to its fundraising work, it also runs dedicated adoption centres in over 440 Pets At Home stores.

To find out more about Support Adoption For Pets or to support the charity please visit supportadoptionforpets.co.uk