AS CHRISTMAS approaches, a Comet country animal shelter is appealing for people to give a pet a home.

The Blue Cross animal adoption centre at Kimpton is currently near capacity, with 26 dogs, 21 cats and 12 rabbits being cared for on site.

The number of pets being dumped or taken in as strays by the charity has this year increased by 21 per cent.

The latest case was two weeks ago, where seven cats were anonymously abandoned in a cardboard box outside the centre. They were taken in by staff, with all but one now finding new homes.

Lynda Campbell, manager at the centre, said: “We have so many animals here at the moment and it’s so sad to think of them spending Christmas in kennels, rather than in a family home.

“We even had to turn away some homeless rabbits recently as we’ve run out of space, although we did consider putting them in our stables! Please help us find these animals loving homes so we can help even more.”

Animals at the shelter currently include five British Giant rabbits, who were taken in because they were being neglected in their home. Females Sage, Saffron and Coral and males Bramble and Zinc are looking to be homed together in pairs or with other same-sex rabbits for company.

Lynda added: “Animals have so much love to give and they can be such an important part of family life. But cats and dogs can live for 15 years or more, so if you’re thinking about taking on a pet this Christmas, make sure you talk it through with the whole family and think about the time and costs involved.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us this year by attending an event, adopting an animal or making a donation. If you can, please donate money, toys or blankets to help our homeless animals this Christmas.

“Any gift, large or small, will help us give them the best possible care while they wait for new homes.”

To find out more about adopting a pet or to make a donation, visit www.bluecross.org.uk or phone the centre on 0300 777 1490.