AN adorable dog looking for her 'forever home' is fronting an appeal to help abandoned, unwanted and unloved animals over the festive period.

Six-year-old American bulldog cross Naomi is a firm favourite with carers at Cheshire Dogs Home, and is one of the many needs animals set to benefit from the third year of Willows Veterinary Group's Pawsome Pets Christmas Appeal.

Pet lovers in Cheshire are being urged to bring in unopened pet food, new toys, blankets, bedding and treats for animals of all types to any of the Willows surgeries by Wednesday, December 19.

The resulting collection will be distributed to various animal rescue charities across the region.

David Crane, Willows Veterinary Group marketing manager, said: “We work with various, great animal charities across the regions where we have surgeries all year round and we have found the festive period is a great opportunity to give them a much-deserved boost.

“The last couple of years have shown us that we can rely on a very caring response to the collection from our clients. We have received trolley loads of food, blankets, bedding and toys donated across our group of surgeries and we have been so grateful for people’s generosity.

“We are urging anyone to help us again this year by bringing in unopened and in- date food, new blankets, animal bedding, toys and treats, for all different animals, to any of our Willows surgeries and we will make sure it is delivered to various rescue charities which work so hard to look after the animals in their care like Naomi.”

One of Naomi’s main carers in Cheshire Dogs Home Supervisor, Jacqui Tierney, who has worked at the charity for 14 years.

She said: “Naomi came to us a stray and at first she was quite nervous and not very interactive at all.

“It was probably after about two weeks that I started to notice she was coming out of her shell and it was like she was learning how to be happy again.

"She has such a sweet, affectionate nature, which I am sure has always been there, she had just forgotten how to be happy for a little while.

"She makes a fuss of us when we go in in the morning. I feel emotional just talking about how lovely she is.”

Naomi is one of the longest standing residents at Cheshire Dogs Home, which needs £35,000 a month to stay open.

Jacqui said: “She is quite big and can be quite bouncy so maybe this is what has been a bit off putting to people but she really is such a gorgeous dog.

“She would make a wonderful pet for a family with older, sensible children who are used to bouncier dogs because her size means she might quite easily knock a little one over with her enthusiasm to show her affection.

“I already have three rescue dogs at home and if it wasn’t for this, she would definitely be one I would end up taking home because of her loving personality.”

Anna Stansfield, manager of Cheshire Dogs Home, said: “We are extremely grateful to Willows Veterinary Group for including us in their annual Christmas collection again. We get support from their veterinary teams all year round but being one of the recipients of the festive collection gives us and our four-legged residents a big lift.

“We rely so heavily on the generosity of people who want to do their bit to help the dogs in our care, which can be from 50 to 100 at any one time.

“We try to make every day feel happy, safe and comfortable for them but it is lovely to receive a delivery of food, toys, treats and blankets before Christmas which helps us to make their Christmas Day that little bit extra special.”

Can you support the Willows Pawsome Pets Christmas Appeal? Drop off unopened food, new toys and blankets at any Willows Veterinary Group Surgery by Wednesday December 19.

For a full list of surgeries and more details click here.

For more information on Cheshire Dogs Home click here or call 0844 504 1212