DOGS Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Harefield, has passed 50,000 requests this year from desperate owners asking the charity to take in their dogs.

It is the highest annual number of handover requests in the charity’s history. 

The charity’s CEO, Owen Sharp, has long warned that the animal welfare sector is facing a crisis, with more animals being given up than it has space to look after.

The charity is the most stretched it has been in its 131 years, dealing with an influx of dogs whose owners can no longer afford them as bills continue to rise.

A new poll carried out by YouGov on behalf of Dogs Trust shows that a third of dog owners are worried that, as costs continue to rise, the crisis will impact on how well they’re able to care for their dogs next year.

Dogs Trust has set up temporary dog food banks at six of its 21 centres, so that dogs won’t go hungry this Christmas.

Anybody who is struggling to feed their dog is invited to drop in and collect supplies.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: “We’re doing as much as we can to help dog owners who have been worst hit by the crisis.

“If you’re having a hard time looking after your dog, please reach out to us before it’s too late - there are lots of ways we can help.

“Our utmost priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as we can – and stop people having to make that heart-breaking decision to give up their dog.”