A STRAY dog with a "funny figure" surprised its foster parents by giving birth to seven puppies just two days after being taken in.

Although underweight, lurcher Bea was taken to a vet to examine her "rounding abdomen" after being picked up by a dog warden and taken to St Giles Animal Centre, in Wrantage.

A scan showed she was several weeks pregnant and a St Giles spokeswoman said: "No owner came forward for Bea, so we then went on to find an experienced, loving foster home that would allow her to settle before welcoming her new arrivals.

"Little did we know she would welcome them just two days after arriving at her foster placement."

Somerset County Gazette:

Mother and pups are doing well and staff are hopeful they will soon be heading off to a permanent home.

The spokeswoman added: "We're currently absolutely inundated with dogs, cats and kittens and are looking to rehome them."

Among the recent arrivals are two tiny kittens found abandoned in a field by a dog walker The St Giles spokeswoman said: "She quickly rushed the kittens home, where they were provided with food, water and a lovely warm bed to stay in overnight.

Somerset County Gazette:

"Knowing she was unable to keep them herself, she frantically tried to find a space for them in local rescues before arriving here at the centre."

They have now been cared for, vaccinated, neutered and microchipped ready for a forever home.

Also among the dozens of animals the centre hopes to find families for are loving couple Jack Russell terrier Poppy and golden Labrador Marley, who were dropped off there through no fault of their own or their previous owners.

They would be best kept together in an adult-only home.

And stray kitten Pepper, found wandering in a village near Taunton, is sure to offer lots of love to a new owner as he adores cuddles and human company.

If you're interested in adopting any of the animals at St Giles, call 01823-490333.