An abandoned dog was left living in "horrendous conditions" outside without food or water, relying solely on the kind neighbours to feed her.
The 12-month-old Staffy cross named Rita was hungry, thirsty and "begging for attention" after spending six months alone in her owner's garden.
When staff at Carla Lane Animals in Need in Liverpool were called to rescue Rita, she was found in a "dangerous yard" filled with hazardous debris and hadn't drank anything for days.
Despite being overwhelmed with calls and bills, the immediately cleared emergency boarding space to take her in, because she was "absolutely not safe" to be left.
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Rita is now safe and thriving at the rescue centre in Sefton and staff say she is a "very happy girl" who "just loves everybody".
The young Staffordshire bull terrier is looking for a dedicated and patient home where she can experience home comforts for the very first time.
She will need a house without young children or other pets, but could possibly live with canine savvy teenagers that are used to lively dogs.
The charity has warned there are real fears that dogs will be left to suffer and die, as they struggle to cope with the increasing demand for pets needing to be rehomed.
Consultant Kellie O'Shea told Liverpool ECHO: "If the trend of buying and breeding dogs continues, we will be in a very disastrous situation.
"People need to look at their choices and whether inconveniences can be worked through. It's escalating daily. If nothing changes, the outlook is very bleak for dogs."
For the first time in 30 years, staff are finding themselves having to turn away pets in need due to sheer demand.
Kellie said: "At Carla Lane we currently have an outstanding vet bill for £20,000 which is extortionate.
"We always try to take the most at risk dogs first but at the moment, most dogs are needing to be seen.
"The dogs that do need to come in aren't being matched by the flow of homes available.
"This is the worst we've ever seen, this level of demand. There's always been a steady trickle but the numbers now are astronomical.
"The other night I had seven calls for seven different jobs after 8pm on my personal phone, that's not coming through the rescue.
"We've got a file absolutely bursting and we now have to look at who is most at risk which is really difficult.
"The sad reality is that dogs are dying every day for want of a safe place. The explosion is happening now and we are having to turn dogs away.
"Every day we get calls about a dog being put to sleep but if we haven't got the space there's not much we can do."
Kellie pleads for the public to adopt rescue dogs already in existence instead of breeding new litters.
She added: "We are seeing the after-effects of a perfect storm. There are a lot of genuine people scared to approach a rescue, that's not the message.
"We are here to help. We will always help when we can."
If you would like to adopt Rita please visit this link or donate to Carla Lane Animals in Need on the website.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
