TWO dogs who were given up when their owner could not care for them anymore have found new homes – and will be TV stars tonight.

Mitzy and Deano feature on ‘The Dog Rescuers Special: 21 Dogs - The Big Rescue’ which airs on Channel 5 at 8pm.

Their owner contacted the RSPCA in March last year for help after he could no longer look after them.

RSPCA inspector Jason Bowles said: “The dogs had been well looked after, they were already neutered and microchipped and had obviously had some training.

“They were really lucky that they were able to be assessed and rehomed to great new families.

“Unfortunately quite often in this situation animals get handed around and not looked after properly or heaven forbid just left in a property.

“It’s fantastic to hear how well they’re doing, and what they’re bringing to their new families too.”

Just a few weeks after they arrived at RSPCA East Lancashire Branch’s Altham Animal Centre they had found their perfect matches. And they’ve made quite an impact on the lives of their new families.

Mitzy was rehomed to Paul Caulfield in Altham, Lancashire. “My 22-year-old son, who’s also called Paul, is disabled, that’s why I got Mitzy really.

“We used to stay in all the time, he’d be in his room playing video games, but now he gets his wellies on and we go out walking with her. They’ve got a great relationship.

“She was scared of everything when she first came home. She’s come on leaps and bounds. We look after her really well. Her coat’s gorgeous - she has sardines every day.

“She’s getting such a lot from us, but we’re getting so much from her. It definitely works both ways. My son is a changed person and it’s because of Mitzy.”

Meanwhile Deano has joined the Entwistle family in Darwen, Lancashire. Janice Entwistle said: “Deano has settled in really well.

“He was really boisterous when we first brought him home but he’s calmed down a bit now. He’s a big softy.”

“It’s the first time we’ve had a dog of our own and he’s just brilliant. It’s like he’s been part of the family all the time.

“He really enjoyed Christmas. He got a stocking full of presents. And when we were opening our presents he was sniffing around like ‘is that another one for me’, he was so funny.”

To find out more visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet