Do you remember the saying ‘a dog is for life not just for Christmas’? And this Christmas it is even more important as we face tough financial times.

As the festive season approaches and with the carol ‘12 days of Christmas’ ringing in our ears Wokingham Borough Council is reminding everyone that pets have needs too!  Pets are not asking for five gold rings but the basic requirements for life otherwise known as the Five Freedoms:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst

• Freedom from discomfort

• Freedom from pain, injury and disease

• Freedom to express normal behaviour

• Freedom from fear and distress.

Mandy Dorman, animal warden, said: "Unfortunately an increasing number of pets are being abandoned; some in a poor state of health.   In the last few weeks alone I have dealt with two dogs, both were very sick when they were dumped.  Princess, a Patterdale Terrier Cross, needed an emergency operation to save her life after she was thrown over a high fence into Binfield Dog Rescue in the middle of the night.  Luckily we worked with Binfield Dog Rescue and St. Vincent’s Vets to come to her rescue and following a successful operation Princess has now been re-homed.

"Kimmy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, was found tied up in a park having recently given birth to puppies.  Kimmy was very thin and in distress.  We are now looking after her but hope her owner will come forward very soon.  However if Kimmy is not claimed we will try and re- home her in due course."

Another Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Diesel, was found roaming the streets with a note around his neck stating his owner could no longer afford to keep him.  Diesel is now looking for a new home.

If you can no longer afford medical treatment for your pet (be it a dog, a cat or even a mouse) please contact the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) for assistance.  If you can no longer provide a home for your pet or are looking for a pet this Christmas, why not contact an Animal Rescue Centre; you may well be giving the likes of Princess, Kimmy or Diesal the chance of a loving home.  As a last resort, residents can contact the borough council’s animal Warden on (0118) 974 6000 for offer further advice.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for internal services, said: "With Christmas fast approaching, we should all give pet welfare a thought.  Many people buy pets for their loved ones at Christmas – some of them will be responsbile pet owners but some won’t be. Dumping an animal is abandonment and is very cruel.  It’s an offence under The Animal Welfare Act.  So whatever the circumstances remember the five freedoms are for life not just for Christmas."