KIND-HEARTED animal lovers have stepped in to answer our appeal and find homes for the 12 strays of Christmas.

The Evening Telegraph featured a dozen cases of abandoned and unwanted pets in the week before Christmas in a bid to ease the pressure on the RSPCA following the festive period.

As a result of our Twelve Strays of Christmas feature, the RSPCA has managed to find loving homes for six of the animals featured.

But they still have seven cases of furry friends ready to settle with the right people.

Elderly border collie Neo has found a home with a retired couple in the Altham area, Nemo the goldfish has found a home in an outdoor pond, Pip the mouse has been taken on by a retired lady who already has several other rodents, and cats Blossom and Nellie, as well as Gypsy the rabbit, have all found good families to settle with.

Whilst the RSPCA has had lots of interest in Rocky the white Alsatian, and many people have called in mistaking Sam the Great Dane cross for their own lost dogs, they are still unwanted. The other remaining pets are Zac, a black collie cross, Merlin the cat, Buttercup the rabbit and Albino ferrets Owen and Milly.

The RSPCA centre at Holker House Farm, Altham, is licensed to look after 79 dogs and 44 cats, and there is usually a 'waiting list' of animals waiting to go into the society's care once their existing animals have found a home.

The RSPCA usually experiences a peak in discarded animals when the novelty of a Christmas puppy or kitten has worn off, though thankfully the numbers of abandoned cases has declined slightly in recent years.

Melanie Cleaver, an animal care assistant at Holker House Farm, said "We're very grateful to those who have adopted the animals featured but the remaining seven would make just as good pets.

"I would also ask people to remember that the animals featured are effectively the tip of the iceberg as we always have many more in need of good homes throughout the year that the public never hear about."

Dogs from the RSPCA are always vaccinated, electronically chipped and groomed. Anyone interested in adopting an animal can contact the RSPCA on 01254 231118, between 9am and 5pm, or visitHolker House Farm, in Whinney Hill Road between 11am and 4pm, except Thursdays.