Ottery animal sanctuary full with dogs left without homes this Christmas

ARC staff with Benji the collie cross. Ref shs 49 18TI 6385. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC Animal Rescue Centre, in Ottery, has been inundated in the run up to the festive season and are now completely full.

Crystal Scott, the current owner of ARC, said before every holiday season it was normal to have a large number of animals being brought in.

She added: “The most common reason is the break up of a relationship.

“Other people just get to a point in their life where things change - perhaps they’re going back to work full time and there is no one about to watch the dog all day.”

Benji the collie cross at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6382. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Mrs Scott said that there were more older people in Sidmouth and Ottery which was also a contributing factor. She added: “Illness is always a big one.

“If people are ill and can’t walk, they can’t walk the dog. And, of course, people dying.”

If you are interested in giving a dog a forever home visit www.arcrescue.co.uk or call 01404 815487.

In the coming weeks, the Herald will be running features on each dog to try and find them their forever home.

Scruffy the jack russell at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6380. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Scruffy the jack russell at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6377. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Quinn the beagle at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6372. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with Quinn the beagle. Ref shs 49 18TI 6369. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with Alfie the jack russell. Ref shs 49 18TI 6354. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Pippa the terrier at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6347. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with Pippa the terrier. Ref shs 49 18TI 6345. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Darcy at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6343. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with Darcy. Ref shs 49 18TI 6335. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with Tilly. Ref shs 49 18TI 6332. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Tilly at ARC. Ref shs 49 18TI 6330. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

ARC staff with lurchers Romeo and Juliet. Ref shs 49 18TI 6328. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)