Give a dog a home

Too many people are ignoring the advice that a dog is for life - not just for Christmas.

The National Canine Defence League announced that it has been swamped with puppies, mainly because people have abandoned pregnant bitches to avoid having to cope with litters over Christmas.

And these puppies aren't the only dogs who'll spend Christmas alone this year. London's Battersea Dogs Home is packed with abandoned older dogs. Could you give one a home?

Take a look at the dogs in our gallery and see if you would like to give one of them a home.

If you're interested in any of these dogs, or wish to make a donation to the home (it's funded entirely by the public), please call 020 7622 3626. To help the NCDL, call 020 7837 0006.

Meet the dogs

ZEBBE AND NIKKI two collie crosses, aged 11 and ten, came to the home when their owners divorced. As brothers who grew up together, they would need to go to the same home. Nikki is the more outgoing - he loves to play with squeaky toys. He has quite bad arthritis and can't manage stairs. Although Zebbe's an old boy, he's still playful. Both are well mannered and trained.

FREDDIE aged one, arrived at the home when his owner died. He's a typical young feisty Jack Russell and has the potential to be a lovely pet, but he needs firm control and training.

HERBIE a nine to ten-year-old mongrel, is, like many old men, very set in his ways. All he needs is a warm fireplace to retire by. He was found roaming the streets in November and has quite bad arthritis. Herbie can't live with young children as he's too old to put up with their ways.

COCO a lurcher aged two to three years, is in Battersea for the second time. He was brought in by his first owners, who said he was too big, and by his second for being possessive with his toys. Coco has a calm nature with a cheeky, wild side. He likes being cuddled, groomed and being around people. After two homes, Coco is naturally wary. He needs to be given rules and introduced to new dogs, environments and people slowly. After that, he'll be sociable.

BRUNO a mongrel aged five to seven years, is described as a happy, playful, excited young lad, who loves the sound of his own bark - particularly if he feels he's not getting enough attention. He was brought to the home in August because he didn't get on with his owners' cats. Bruno loves toys, although he needs encouragement to play. He is well trained and knows how to sit, shake hands and stay.

WINTER This four-year-old mongrel could be a handy addition to any household because she knows how to fetch the post on command. She'd be best with a family.

ZOE a year-old corgi cross, is very pretty, lively and friendly, very well mannered and trained. She was sent to the home in October because of illness in her owners' family.

HONEY an eight-year-old mongrel, is very boisterous and her two homes in the city haven't suited her as she needs space to burn off her energy. She would thrive in a rural environment with large fields and woods to run in.

ZOE a year-old mongrel, is shy and needs to build up her trust in people first. Once she's done so, she'll be very affectionate. It would take time for her to relax in a new home but she'd fit in well with a family where she'd get lots of affection.