AN ANIMAL charity has captured the tantalising moment for pets before the food bowl hits the floor as it launches its Santa Paws appeal.

Support Adoption for Pets caught the looks on the faces of rescue cats and dogs on camera as they were presented with a much-needed meal.

The charity is asking animal lovers to donate 50p to provide a meal to an animal in need this Christmas.

Launched on December 1 and running until Christmas Eve, Support Adoption for Pets will be raising money in over 400 Pets at Home stores across the country to ensure that this year pets which have been abandoned can enjoy a wide-eyed and waggy-tailed Christmas.

Pets at Home has stores in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Amy Wilson, fundraising manager at Support Adoption for Pets, said: “We hope these pictures make people smile – they perfectly capture the joy that a simple bowl of food can bring to an animal spending Christmas in a rescue.

“Throughout the festive period, we tend to spoil those around us, and our pets are no exception to this. We want to encourage people to give a little extra this Christmas and help us towards our ambitious goal to provide 1,500,000 meals to animals in need.”

Pets at Home customers shopping for their pets this Christmas will be invited to support the Santa Paws appeal by donating just 50p at the till point, by texting BOWL01 to 70070, or online at supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/santapaws.”

Each donation will help Support Adoption for Pets reach its target of providing 1,500,000 Christmas dinners for abandoned animals through working with local animal welfare charities and rescues.

The 2016 Santa Paws appeal is sponsored by Hill Pets Nutrition. To see the campaign video and find out more, visit supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/santapaws.