Puppies need homes at St Giles Animal Centre

Staff at St Giles Animal Rescue Centre were alerted to a dog in Longrun Meadow after it was picked up by the dog warden on Saturday, July 21.

The dog was brought to the centre to have her microchip scanned and to be checked over by the vet - but it was discovered the dog had very recently given birth and was still feeding her young pups.

An urgent social media appeal was launched in an attempt to find the dog's owner and, more importantly, her puppies.

LOVING MUM: Layla, who gave birth to eight puppies

A spokesman said: "We were given information that the dog was named Layla and belonged to a rough sleeper in the park.

"We then enlisted the help of local homeless agencies and eventually, two days after Layla was found, with time running out, we made contact with Layla’s owner and met her in a supermarket car park with the eight puppies. We took them back to St Giles Rescue where they were reunited and fed by their mum."

The mum, who was well fed and in a good condition, will be spayed and vaccinated and then returned to her owner. But the eight puppies will remain at the centre while they search for their forever homes.

SO CUTE: One of the Layla's puppies

The adorable pups are named Dove, Finch, Goose, Kestrel, Lark, Maggie, Swift and Robin.

ADORABLE: One of the puppies needing a new home

Anyone interested in adopting one of them is asked to email rescue@stgilesanimalcentre.co.uk.