Every one of Northern Ireland's 36 dog rescue and rehoming organisations has a waiting list of pets queuing to be surrendered by their families.
Some are just pups of a few months old, others are older dogs, most are fit and well and a number have health problems that need regular medication.
In addition to people leaving their dogs to the care of others, the rescues are also still dealing emergency cases of dogs found straying and litters of abandoned puppies.
