MORE than 30 puppies will be looking for new homes following a busy festive period for a dog charity.

The Dogs Trust's West London branch at Highway Farm, in Harvil Road, Harefield, welcomed several new arrivals before Christmas and is looking forward to a busy New Year rehoming them.

Anna Robinson, the trust's head of communications, said: "It's been so busy there, it's mental.

"At Harefield, we had a load of puppies come in just before Christmas.

"But in line with our famous slogan, a dog's for life not just for Christmas', we don't rehome any dogs over the festive period "However, we are still open for people to come and look at the dogs, with a view to possibly taking one on."

The trust, which will start rehoming again on Wednesday, January 2, has not had any new dogs arrive since Christmas.

Ms Robinson said: "Hopefully this is because the message is finally starting to get through to people.

"What we normally see is a greater number in February and March, when the dogs are no longer the fluffy puppies they were on Christmas Day, and the kids have gone back to school.

"I really want to stress that people should think very carefully before taking a dog on, it's a big commitment."

She said the branch, which covers the boroughs of Harrow, Ealing and Hillingdon, is expecting more puppies, as they wait for new arrivals from a pregnant bitch, who was due to give birth on Christmas day.

For more information on offering a home to an abandoned dog call the trust on 0845 076 3647.