WITH less than ten weeks until Christmas, Dogs Trust Merseyside is on a mission to find the dogs in its care the perfect gift – a home for life.

And the team particularly want to find former stray, five-year-old Angus, a sofa of his own to snooze on in time for the big day.

The loving Lurcher has seen more than 250 of his canine companions head home since he arrived at the centre in March – but only one person has expressed an interest in him.

Angus is hoping to be home in time for Christmas Angus is hoping to be home in time for Christmas (Image: Dogs Trust Merseyside) Georgina Lowery, manager at Dogs Trust Merseyside, said: "We really don't understand why Angus hasn't found his new family. He is so loving and friendly and would fit really well into family life.

"Christmas is fast approaching and while we will make sure that Angus and all the dogs in our care over Christmas are well looked after, with festive treats and gifts galore, we all know there’s nowhere quite like home and we’d like to see as many as possible settled in their new happy places ahead of Christmas."

For almost fifty years, Dogs Trust has been linked to Christmas, thanks to the phrase “A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas”, penned by the charity's team in 1978 in response to the large number of puppies bought as Christmas gifts and then abandoned in January.

Loving, friendly Angus enjoys spending quality time with Canine Carer Aaron Leonard at Dogs Trust MerseysideLoving, friendly Angus enjoys spending quality time with Canine Carer Aaron Leonard at Dogs Trust Merseyside (Image: Dogs Trust Merseyside)

While the charity no longer sees a large number of puppies handed over in January, the last three years have been some of the busiest on record for Dogs Trust.

In 2022, it received more than 50,000 handover requests, with a further 45,000 last year, and over 32,000 so far this year.

The charity's manager, Georgina Lowery, continued: "We are so busy as sadly so many people are finding that they need to hand over their dog and we are grateful to everyone who chooses to adopt from us as that means we can help more dogs in need.

"Although Angus has become a firm favourite with the team and volunteers, however much we love him, nothing would make us happier than seeing him loving life in his new home before Christmas.

"He can live with children over the age of 14 and he loves everyone he meets. He really deserves to be at the heart of a family on Christmas Day this year and every Christmas Day to come.”

For more information about Angus and all the dogs in the care of Dogs Trust Merseyside, go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/merseyside