Puppies dumped in crate on cold and frosty morning

Dogs Trust is caring for three French Bulldog puppies after they were found abandoned in a crate in an alleyway.

The adorable black pups, who are fifteen weeks old were dumped without food, water or even a blanket to keep them warm.

The puppies, named Polar, Arctic and Chilly by the Dogs Trust team, were found by a member of the public in an alleyway behind houses in Widnes. They were immediately taken to Dogs Trust Merseyside who have been caring for them for the past few days.

Georgina Lowery, Manager at Dogs Trust Merseyside based in Huyton said: “It is always shocking when dogs are abandoned in this way, particularly on a cold winter’s day. Luckily, they were found before they came to any serious harm.

“They are absolutely adorable. Unfortunately, they are being treated for a very uncomfortable skin condition which will have been developing for some time before they were abandoned, but we are hopeful they will make a full recovery.

“We are now speaking to families who have been preparing to welcome a puppy into their life for some time, about giving them their forever homes.”

This Christmas, Dogs Trust has unveiled a new TV advertising campaign to get across the message that A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.

The advert was inspired by new research by Dogs Trust, that online searches for puppies’ skyrockets in the run-up to Christmas.

After analysing online search trends, the charity found that online searches to ‘get a dog’ increased by nearly 27% from 357,779 to 452,656 two weeks before Christmas, compared to the yearly average.

Online searches of the phrase ‘buy a puppy’ increased by 44% from 95,659 to 137,499 a week before Christmas last year, compared to the yearly average.

The research also found that pugs were the most sought-after breed searched for across the UK followed by Rottweilers and French Bulldogs.

Georgina adds: “French Bulldogs are incredibly popular all year round. We don’t know why these puppies were dumped, but a dog is for life, not just for Christmas and they deserve to be loved and cared for properly, every day of their lives. If anyone ever feels they have to give up their dog, please do speak to us for help and advice.”

If you visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/adogisforlife, you can watch the advert and find out how you can support Dogs Trust by becoming a volunteer foster carer, sponsoring a dog and also for advice on dog ownership.