It is estimated around 130,000 dogs enter welfare organisations in the UK each year - could you offer one of them a forever home?
If you are looking for a four-legged friend to join the family, you might consider giving one of these abandoned, displaced or abused pets the love they are desperately in need of.
Based in Wrantage, St Giles Animal Rescue is responsible for taking and caring for 100 percent of the stray dogs over West Somerset, covering two council areas; Somerset West & Taunton and South Somerset.
As well as the animals they take through this route, they also care for rescue cats and dogs arriving direct from families no longer able to care for them and board animals on behalf of the RSPCA South East and South West branch.
Here are some of the tail-waggers looking for a place to call home this week.
READ MORE: Most dog-friendly beaches in the UK
Zane
Breed: Greyhound
Age: 3 years
Zane is a greyhound who, due to his breed and having a high prey drive, he will need to be muzzled when out on walks.
He is a sweet boy who enjoys human affection, playing in the garden and licking squeezy cheese - especially if it’s on a tennis ball.
Zane will need a person with a relatively active lifestyle. He could potentially live with another dog after suitable introductions and could live with children of 12 years and above.
Click here for more information on Zane and how to adopt him.
Kaia
Breed: Mastiff
Age: 1 year 4 months
Kaia is a sweet and energetic girl looking for a large breed-experienced home to help build her confidence and socialisation slowly.
Kaia loves to play with her toys and go out for her walks or have an off-lead run.
She can be wary of new people at first and things may need to be taken slowly to begin with.
Kaia could live with an older male dog. She will need on-going training and would benefit from building a strong bond with her handler.
Click here for more information on kaia and how to adopt her.
READ MORE: Revealed: The most expensive puppies in the UK - full list
Logan
Breed: Lurcher
Age: 7 months
Logan is a beautiful bouncy young boy searching for his forever home. He came to St Giles as a stray, so sadly little is known about his past, including his exact age.
Since being at the centre, he has progressed well with his training and would like someone to put in the time and effort to continue with this.
Logan loves to sniff, enjoying puzzle feeders and snuffle mats.
He could live with children aged 12 and above and potentially other dogs, pending suitable meet and greets, but no small animals.
Logan needs someone to be around with him for most of the day.
Click here for more information on Logan and how to adopt him.
Trixie
Breed: Mastiff (Bull)
Age: 7 years
Trixie is a sweet girl looking for her forever home.
Not much is known about her past. On arrival, she was nervous but has started to gain confidence.
She likes to spend time with her human friends, enjoying some treats and cuddles.
She walks nicely on her lead and enjoys going for walks, but due to her age isn’t overly active.
St Giles believes Trixie would be best suited as the only animal in the home but could live with sensible children of 16 years and up.
Click here for more information on Trixie and how to adopt her.
READ MORE: DogTV: What we know about the TV network for UK dogs
Buffy
Breed: Collie (Border)
Age: 8 years 4 months
Buffy came to St Giles as a stray and is now looking for her for her forever home.
She is a rather shy girl who fears the world. She will need a calm, patient and understanding home.
Her new owners may need to visit the centre a few times to help her feel more comfortable and should be willing to put in the time to create a bond and ensure she feels safe.
Buffy will require a quiet home without too many people but could potentially live with an older laid-back dog pending suitable meet and greets, and older children.
Click here for more information on Buffy and how to adopt her.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here