A trio of beautiful collie pups are desperate to start 2012 with a new and loving home.
The nine-week-old Border collies are being cared for by the Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society at their kennels in Forteviot, just a few miles from Perth.
Left with the charity on December 20, the pups described affectionately as one little one and two big lumps have been given the very festive names of Robin, Chris and Rudy.
Born in October, they were part of a large litter of pups and while their original owner was able to find homes for their brothers and sisters the trio have been given into the care of PADS.
The charity is now hoping to find the ideal homes for three active and friendly dogs.
Assistant kennel hand Olive McQueen said: ”These are wonderful pure Border collies and as working dogs they will need a lot of stimulation. We will need to find them very busy households where they can be constantly on the go.
”They will be very happy as long as we can find them an active family who enjoy hill walking and other long walks and who will keep them occupied,” added Olive. ”These are not dogs to be left at home for hours on end.”
The PADS rescue centre takes in around 300 dogs every year, from the police, dog wardens and from members of the public who can no longer look after them.
People often have to give up their dogs due to relationship breakdown, illness or hospitalisation, while others are simply lost and around a third are eventually reunited with their owners.
In recent years however the recession has meant that an increasing number of people have become so financially stretched that they are deciding to give up family pets.
At present, the centre is looking after 19 dogs and is working hard to find every one a new home.
Anyone thinking about giving a new life to a dog can visit the PADS Kennels at Forteviot, which are open from 1pm to 3pm on weekdays and from 1pm to 3.30pm at weekends.
For more information visit padsdogrescue.com or call 01764 684491.
Photo Phil Hannah