The dogs looking for new homes as rescue centre 'bursting' with animals after lockdown

An animal shelter which rescues dogs says there has been a "definite increase" in animals needing their help after lockdown.

Rushton Dog Rescue centre says it and many other shelters in the UK are "bursting" with dogs in need of their forever homes.

"We've noticed a definite increase during the lockdown and now in the aftermath of the lockdown of people emailing, ringing, wanting to hand in dogs that are maybe six months old up to 18 months old," said Cindi McNeil Regan, from the rescue centre in Somerset.

"It's been very apparent that these have been puppies bought in lockdown and possibly sold to families who are not suitable.

"Families are going back to work and then dogs are suffering with separation anxiety."

She said the centre is seeing "all kinds" of dogs being brought to them - but many will struggle.

But she said people should always get in touch if they are looking for a dog rather than simply buy one.

"We want to encourage people to go to rescues - all the rescues in the UK are bursting full of dogs currently," she continued.

"If we don't have the right dog for someone, we can point them in the direction of someone who does."

Anyone looking to adopt can visit the shelter's website where there is a list of information they are asked to provide before the centre matches them with the most suitable dog.

"Penny, a purebred labrador puppy - by the time she came to us at six, seven-months-old during the lockdown, she'd already had six homes by that point," Cindi said.

"A lot of these dogs can't live in mainstream homes either, so it's really nice for them to be able to come here and have a sanctuary space with us."

Some of the dogs in need of new homes

Penny - one-year-old golden labradorPenny was sold to an unsuitable home last year and struggled to adapt.

She was passed from one owner to another and by the time she was rescued, she had been with six different families.

She is now traumatised and the centre says she will struggle to adapt to another home without very careful care.

Ernie and Gypsy - Staffordshire bull terriers

Ernie and Gypsy adore each other, according to staff at the rescue centre

They were both locked in a home and beaten before being rescued, and 11-year-old Ernie has back damage due to the abuse.

Gypsy, who is seven, has been with Ernie for her entire life and now the Rushton centre is looking for a permanent home for the pair.