AN animal sanctuary in Edenfield is at bursting point after the Christmas rush of unwanted cats and dogs.

Staff at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary say their kennels are "bursting at the seams" - with even more unwanted and abandoned animals waiting to be taken in.

Just days before Christmas, four seven-week-old pups were found in a box dumped on a rubbish tip in Bury, and two more tiny pups were discovered huddled in a garden.

In Whitefield, a two-year-old bitch and her ten-month-old pup were brought in after being found chained to a lamppost.

The sanctuary's vet was called in to see a Staffordshire bull terrier found with horrific injuries to its face and body. Staff believe it may have been used for fighting.

Sanctuary manager Norma Wilkinson said: "It is unbelievable. I've got a list as long as my arm for animals needing a home. I'm asking people to hang on to them for a few more days if possible. We've simply no room left."

Over the Christmas period more than a dozen cats and dogs have been brought to the animal sanctuary and many others have been left in boxes or tied to the sanctuary's gate post.

"Last week we found a pregnant dog dead in a paddock," said Mrs Wilkinson.

"Someone had tied it to the gate, it had broken free and ran straight in front of a car. Another 14-week-old pup was found wandering in the lane outside the main gates.

"We have the same problem every year."

Pictured is one kitten who is lucky to be alive - it was the only survivor of a abandoned litter. She gets a loving kiss from Joanne Jones who is the head of cats at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

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