Dogs home sees December influx of pets

A dogs home says it saw an influx of people giving up pooches over the festive period and expects more to come in January.

City Dogs Home in Werrington, near Stoke-on-Trent, re-homes domestic and stray dogs and works with local councils and police.

It said many were relinquished by their owners because of financial struggles or a change in living situation.

"It's dogs that people have had themselves for a time and have lost their houses and things, and unfortunately the dog's got to go... or they've moved into rented accommodation and the landlord won't have dogs," said Vicky Phillips, from the home.

"Luckily we've had some that have managed to sort something out, a member of the family will take it… and they've come back and claimed the dog back.

"Nobody can afford them [the dogs] and also no jobs and things. I think it's just how it is… the dogs have to go."

She added the team had seen more small dogs taken in which they found surprising.

"They've all gone," she said.

"They were all snapped up, it's the big ones you struggle with, because people don't want big dogs in their houses now. It's feeding them and exercising.

"The days where people wanted more big dogs have sort of fizzled out."

The home has not yet had an influx of dogs received as Christmas presents, but Ms Phillips said they were expecting it.

"Normally that comes in the next few weeks, because the children are still off on holiday.

"I think it's when everyone goes back to work and then the problems start," she said.

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