DOGS Trust Evesham is bracing itself for the post-Christmas influx of unwanted dogs and is urging the public to remember the charity’s iconic slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ after a year of bizarre reasons offered by people giving up their dog.

The Wickhamford-based Rehoming Centre received seven calls a day from people looking to give up their dogs in the month following Christmas last year. Reasons over 2017 included:

'I’m a vegetarian but he always wanted to eat meat'

'I got him as a secret Santa present'

'She was too friendly and wanted to greet every dog and human we met on a walk'

'He was panting too much'

'He didn’t like it when we played dress up'

'She sleeps in her own bed all night – I thought she would want to sleep in my bed'

Following 227 calls in the weeks following Christmas last year from people unable to care for their dogs Dogs Trust Evesham are preparing themselves as they expect to take in many dogs in the weeks following the festive period.

Chris Slight, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Evesham, said: “In the weeks following Christmas last year we received almost 230 calls from owners wanting to give up their dog.

“That is so sad as dogs deserve to be treated as a member of the family. They aren’t disposable commodities; they are a huge commitment and should be for life.”

“Dogs Trust take in thousands of much loved dogs from heartbroken owners who sadly find themselves unable to continue to care for their dogs due to unavoidable changes in their circumstances so it’s particularly hard for staff when they see the other end of the spectrum; dogs handed in simply because their owner’s bought them on a whim and consider them little more than toys to be discarded when the novelty wears off.

“We really hope this Christmas is the year our nation of animal lovers finally takes heed of our slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ and we don’t see dogs discarded because their owners have not considered the lifetime commitment of dog ownership.”

Dogs Trust urge anyone considering getting a dog to ensure they do their research to find a dog compatible with their lifestyle so they are fully aware of the realities of caring for a dog for the duration of its lifetime.

To find out more visit: www.dogstrust.org.uk/Christmas2017