Season's treatings - dogs set for Christmas party

Russ the Saluki is among the dogs at Newbury waiting to be homed

Dogs in care over Christmas are set to enjoy a full-blown festive celebration, thanks to a Berkshire animal charity.

The Dogs Trust will have about 40 animals housed at its premises in Newbury this Christmas.

Staff and volunteers have promised presents, stockings, treats and a Christmas dinner for the four-legged festive residents.

So far this year the charity has cared for 303 dogs, and re-homed 248.

Victoria Lisle is planning festive treats for the dogs at Christmas

Assistant training and behaviour advisor Victoria Lisle said the aim was to make Christmas "a lot of fun" for the dogs.

"We do all sorts of activities with them, ranging from opening presents, they all have stockings outside their kennels, which is really exciting and they are all full by Christmas morning."

Volunteer kennel assistant Diane Choules from Baydon in Wiltshire will be among those working on Christmas Day.

"When I first come in the dogs are out on a toilet break and I quickly clean each kennel, there's always feeds to do and then I do the laundry. Once all the house work is done I take the dogs for a walk."

"I love it so much - dogs wherever they have come from have such a great place and they've got the best care and they are guaranteed to have lovely future, once they find their home."

She admitted a "sad" aspect of her weekly visits to the kennels is when one of her favourite dogs has been re-homed.

"It's bitter sweet, because I know that its gone to a lovely home," she said.

Diane Choules volunteers at the Dogs Trust kennels in Newbury

Fifteen dogs from the Newbury kennels will be out in foster care over the festive period.

Ned and Pop, two Chihuahua Dachshund crossbreed brothers, will be staying with Keith and Helen Picard from Reading.

Mrs Picard said: "We get to experience lots of different dogs, they come in at various shapes and sizes.

"It's so lovely to see them improve and enjoy themselves with us."

However with Christmas also comes the regular warnings about neglect and dogs bought as presents.

The Dogs Trust is currently caring for just over 1,600 dogs, either in their re-homing centres or in foster homes throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Victoria Lisle who will be working on Boxing Day at the Dogs Trust said: "If you are considering looking in to getting a dog around this time of year, they are a long term commitment and not just a Christmas present."

Keith and Helen Picard are fostering Pop and Ned over Christmas