A dog rescue centre based in Bucks wants to remind pet owners a dog is not just for Christmas as they ask readers to make their new year’s resolution to give a dog a new home.

Last year the Stokenchurch Dog Rescue re-homed 190 dogs, but they say the sad truth is many pets are abandoned around Christmas time.

With 44 dogs in kennels in the build up to the new year, workers pleaded for owners to look after their pets and for perspective new owners to consider a rescue dog.

Alan Durrant , dog welfare manager, said: “Sadly, in the Christmas holiday period many dogs are abandoned as people either cannot cope with the cost, or lose interest.

“It is awful, but many dogs need re-homing at this time of year, and we hope there are people out there who could give them a new home.”

The group celebrated their 50th anniversary last year and in 2014 alone took in more than 200 dogs.

Geoff Perfitt, Stokenchurch Dog Rescue spokesman, said: “One of the best new year resolutions you could make it to do a dog from Stokenchurch a favour.

“We know people need to weigh these things up and it is an important decision, but, we have some lovely pets here of all shapes and sizes and any one of them would make a lovely addition to a family in 2015.”

For more information, please visit stokenchurchdogrescue.org.uk