EVER wondered how dogs at a rehoming centre spend their Christmas Day?

This year, Dogs Trust Merseyside has rehomed more than 800 dogs from those who through no fault of their own could no longer stay with their families or those who were found wandering the streets as strays.

Whatever the reason they found themselves without a forever home, the team at Dogs Trust Merseyside has made sure that they have everything they need while spending days at the rehoming centre.

Christmas Day is no different and is made oh so very special for them.

Millions of families across the world enjoy Christmas time with their four-legged friends but the team at Dogs Trust Merseyside will make sure those without a family and a home of their home will have the best time possible.

The team at the centre, along with volunteers do everything that needs doing every day of the year - this includes cleaning the kennels.

However on Christmas Day, the residents will also be given a shoebox packed full of presents which have been especially chosen for each individual pooch.

This shoebox will include foodie treats and their favourite toys.

Later on in the day, they will be treated to a special Christmas dinner which are provided by the many dedicated volunteers at Dogs Trust Merseyside.

Rehoming centre manager Georgina Lowery said: “We have a lovely time on Christmas Day!

"It’s a great atmosphere and we make sure all the dogs have a special time.

"We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports us throughout the year, and to all the volunteers who help every single day, including on Christmas Day, to look after our dogs.

“Our slogan, ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ is 40 years old this year, and it is still as relevant as ever but we hope that 2019 will see fewer dogs finding themselves without a forever home.

“We would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.”

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas - is the important message being spread by Dogs Trust this season.

In Merseyside alone, the centre received just under 500 calls to its contact centre from members of the public asking to hand over their dogs for a variety of reasons after Christmas last year.

Nationally, the charity had received nearly 5,000 calls.

For more information on Dogs Trust Merseyside and all the wonderful work that they do visit https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/