The best gift that they could receive: A forever home

Charities urge people to adopt a pet amid abandonment 'crisis'

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We've all heard the message that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. However, animal charities say offering a forever home to an abandoned pet is the best gift they could ever hope for.

The charity Blue Cross said it had seen an 18 per cent rise in the number of homeless pets coming through its doors. Some arrive starving, others injured and many in need of emergency veterinary treatment.

Launching its Christmas appeal, it said 4,738 lifesaving operations were performed at its veterinary sites last year, while 4,029 abandoned pets had found new homes.

But some people are put off adopting a rescue pet, for fear they might have behavioural problems, medical issues or be hard to train.

A poll of 2,000 adults found three in 10 believe vet bills will be expensive and 53 per cent think you need to be 'qualified' to welcome a new face into your home.

While 43 per cent worry animals from a shelter will be misbehaved and 31 per cent reckon it will be tricky to teach them basic commands and routines.

The findings were commissioned by Lottoland.co.uk which has partnered with the Blue Cross to raise money through its charity scratchcard.

A spokesperson from the Blue Cross said: "It's entirely natural for people to have questions about fostering or rehoming an animal, especially with so many widespread myths.