DOGS Trust Merseyside has launched an appeal to help a "loving, friendly" former stray find a home in time for Christmas.

With less than ten weeks until the festive holiday, the charity is on a mission to find all dogs in its care a permanent home.

The team is particularly keen to find a home for five-year-old Angus, who has been at the centre since March.

Despite being described as a 'loving Lurcher', Angus has seen more than 250 of his fellow residents adopted, yet only one person has shown interest in him.

Loving, friendly Angus enjoys spending quality time with canine carer Aaron Leonard (Image: Dogs Trust) 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."

The charity, known for its 'A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas' slogan, has seen record numbers of handover requests in the past three years.

In 2022, more than 50,000 handovers were requested, with a further 45,000 last year, and more than 32,000 so far this year.

Angus is hoping to be home in time for Christmas (Image: Dogs Trust) Ms Lowery said: "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 the Dogs Trust website.