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Inseparable - Penny and Jasmine are a very friendly pair of German shepherd sisters. They are both about six years old and will have to be housed together. They would make the perfect addition to a family with older children.

HUNDREDS of dumped pets are in need of new homes.

Valerie Howells, an animal warden for Southend council, said more dogs than ever were left stranded in freezing temperatures during the festive season.

She said: "It was the pre-Christmas dumping season.

"This year has been really bad. I've dealt without about 100 dogs myself and about the same number came in at police stations as well."

Mrs Howells would particularly like to find a home for two German shepherds, called Penny and Jasmine, who were left behind when their owner was evicted.

She said: "They are such a nice pair of dogs, there is something about them that hit home.

"They are big girls but they are very friendly and great fun. It's just finding somebody that will take on the two of them together.

"They are about six years old. I've taken on dogs at that age and they are fantastic."

Sue Clarkson, manager at Acres Way Kennels, in Great Birches Road, Benfleet, spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day driving round picking up strays in Leigh Broadway, Woodgrange Drive, Southend, and across Rayleigh.

She even picked up a Staffordshire Bull Terrier still covered in necklaces from a Christmas cracker and managed to return him to his owners - but others were not so lucky.

She said: "Either the relationship breaks down and people move out of home or it doesn't work, because the dog destroys their home when they are at work.

"There are so many reasons that these dogs get abandoned.

"What we need is people who want dogs and want to keep dogs - not five-minute wonders."

The tale of Staffordshire bull terrier called George is a particularly sorry tale.

Mrs Clarkson said: "He has been neglected and was covered in scabs when he came in. He had fleas, worms and his belly was popped where he was undernourished. He's a lovely dog, but really really neglected.

"His skin is now clearing up a bit and his hair's growing back."

Mrs Clarkson has been struggling to keep up with the number of strays brought in, particularly as not enough people micro-chip their pets.

She is now set to expand her operation and will add an extra five kennels by the end of January at a cost of £10,000 - but she says there is never enough room to keep up with all the strays that come in.

If you can offer a home to any of these dogs, or if you would like to donate to the kennels, call 01268 770402 .

5:27am Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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