CHRISTMAS is not a merry time to be a dog.
Some 70 dogs have spent this festive season in rescue kennels in Huddersfield, having been abandoned, dumped or rejected by their owners.
Now, the unlucky pets are looking for loving homes for the new year.
Marina Kennels, off Leeds Road in Huddersfield, took in the stray dogs over Christmas.
Some of them had been dumped on the streets, others had escaped from their owners' homes and failed to find their way back.
Others had been brought in by owners because they were no longer wanted.
Kennel supervisor Natalie Kelly said: "Before Christmas we had quite a lot of people coming in with dogs.
"We are expecting things to be quieter now until February and March, when people tire of the puppies they have bought for Christmas.
"This year, we had fewer people wanting to buy dogs from us as presents."
Natalie said a few of the dogs at Marina Kennels had been reclaimed by their owners - but most are looking for new homes.
Owners have seven days to claim their pet after it has been taken to Marina Kennels.
After that, the animal is put up for adoption.
Natalie said: "We have had a number of dogs returned to their owners, but not as many as we would like.
"So we are looking to rehome nearly all the dogs."
There are a variety of dogs looking for loving new families - from a 10-week-old puppy found on December 27 to a 15-year-old blind and deaf Yorkshire Terrier, which was found on Christmas Eve.
* If you want to adopt a dog, contact Marina Kennels on 01484 426407.
