With Christmas on the way, Dogs Trust Leeds is on a mission to find the dogs in its care the festive gift of a home for life, and a special mention has been made for ex-racing greyhound, Ho Ho.

Ho Ho is friendly with other dogs and with humans, and loves to chase toys.

While he reportedly still loves 'a big zoom around,' he is more laid-back now that his racing career is over.

Dogs Trust Leeds is currently home to 87 dogs.

Nationwide, the trust as a whole has received more than 32,000 handover inquiries so far in 2024 from owners no longer able to care for their dogs, which compares to 50,000 in 2022 and 45,000 in 2023.

The charity, which coined the phrase 'A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas' back in 1978, has found new homes for more than 6,000 dogs across the UK this year.

Kelly Walker, manager at Dogs Trust Leeds, said: "Christmas is fast approaching, and we are hoping to find forever homes for as many dogs as possible ahead of the festive season.

"While the Dogs Trust team will make sure that the dogs in our care over Christmas are well looked after, with festive treats and gifts galore, we all know there’s nowhere quite like home.

“One of these dogs is Ho Ho the greyhound, who is looking to find a forever home where he can curl up and snooze away the day.

"As an ex-racing greyhound, he’s never really enjoyed the comforts of a sofa on Christmas day, so nothing would make us happier than seeing Ho Ho find a loving family who can give him the home he deserves."

For more information about Ho Ho or the other dogs in the care of Dogs Trust Leeds, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/leeds