IT has been a busy year at one of Taunton's animal rescue centres as it deals with the aftermath of a new law.

St Giles Animal Rescue Centre, based in Wrantage, has seen a huge increase in puppies and dogs left at the centre after a new law saw the banning of third-party dog sales came into action in October.

The move aimed to reduce serious health problems and socialisation issues which afflict pets kept in poor conditions by unscrupulous, profit-driven breeders.

It comes on the back of the prominent Lucy's Law campaign which calls for an immediate halt to the sale of young pets by third-party commercial dealers.

The staff at St Giles welcomed the new laws, but have been shocked by the condition of some of the animals left with them. The influx comes as breeders grow scared of the new law's consequences.

A spokesman for the centre said: "This year has seen the introduction of Lucy’s Law banning third party sales and the unregistered breeding of dogs, this will have such a positive effect going forward, but it has meant a lot more work for charities like St Giles Animal Rescue in the aftermath.

"St Giles has taken in nearly 100 puppy farm survivors including puppies, breeding dogs, and bitches, many of them in a shocking and pitiful state.

"Our dedicated rescue team has managed to re home many and our amazing network has come forward to foster numerous, but they sill have many dogs desperately seeking their forever homes.

"We are still trying to raise much needed funds to provide ongoing care and space to take in the countless others seeking care."

The charity led a fundraising appeal over the Christmas period to gather donations for the animals in its care, and to provide help for dogs who are cared for by rough sleepers.

The shoeboxes will be distributed at the end of this week in Somerset, and also to other Somerset Rescue Centres too.

Vanessa Linnell, owner of St Giles Animal Centre, said: "St Giles Animal centre is so happy to support the rough sleepers of Somerset.

"We realise that their beloved pets are sometimes the only thing they have in their lives and just how important they are.

"We are happy that we have tried in some small way to help them and their dogs have a happy, safe Christmas and a very peaceful New Year.”

The charity will continue its fundraising throughout the year. To contribute, visit mydonate.bt.com/events/breedingdogsinneed and all the proceeds go directly to St Giles.

Thinking of getting a new pet in the New Year? View the animals looking for forever homes at stgilesanimalrescue.co.uk.