LOTS of homeless pets have received gifts this Christmas thanks to generous donations from local people. 

The RSPCA shop in Chippenham, on The Bridge, has a great turnout for their collection for dogs and cats.

They launched their Christmas bauble appeal to make sure that no pet went without a present. 

Shop manager Tracey Hammam said: “I was at work and was looking at the trees and thought of all the dogs who won’t get a present, so I came up with the giving tree. 

“I rang my daughter and she said what a great idea, so I decided to go for it.

“People could pick a bauble off the tree which matched with a sticker of a pet in the home so they could go out and buy them a present. 

“We were surprised at how quickly the baubles were gone. It’s so lovely and everyone has been so kind. 

“Different families have helped so we would like to thank everyone for their generosity as we have been so grateful for all the donations that have been given. “

They have been collecting for the past few weeks with half of the donations coming from the Warminster shop on Market Place. 

Volunteer manager Sandra Birchill said: “Thank you so much to the customers from Chippenham and Warminster RSPCA shops who were so very kind and generous making sure all the dogs had a gift from us at Christmas.”

Over 50 presents which were given to the Bath Cats and Dogs Home at Claverton Down.

Managing director for the RSPCA Richard Clowes said: “We collected food and gifts as part of the appeal. We’re separate from the national charity RSPCA, but we do support each other. We’re a busy store and we have been here for several years with loyal customers. 

“The branches locally do lots of welfare work as some of the dogs have problems so it is quite necessary.

“If donations go to the national RSPCA then independent branches don’t see any of it. People should give specifically to a local branch if they want it to specifically go to that area. 

“We demonstrate we’re independent as we spend the donations locally to help people who’re struggling with their pets.”

Bath Cats and Dogs Home has seen a rise in the number of abandoned pets over the festive period.

Staff working at the home are responding to more calls from animal owners saying they are unable to cope with their pets over Christmas.

Reasons for pet abandonment include increased financial pressure, visiting relatives who are nervous about animals or owners going away for periods of time and having no-one to look after their pets.

Maddie Doyle, animal intake manager, said: “Many animals will be experiencing an unsettled and unhappy time as owners realise they simply can’t cope with an added commitment at Christmas. 

“Bath Cats and Dogs Home will always prioritise those animals most in need but as soon as we rehome one animal, we always have another on our doorstep.” 

It costs 1.5 million every year to keep the home running.  and the home is funded through the donations of its supporters.

The Bath Cats and Dogs Home winter appeal specifically concentrated on helping abandoned animals.