A PUPPY may have topped the Christmas wish list of many a child, but did anyone want an elderly dog in their stocking? The Oldies Club, a St Albans-based dog shelter which helps older dogs find new homes, is making a special festive appeal for its residen

A PUPPY may have topped the Christmas wish list of many a child, but did anyone want an elderly dog in their stocking?

The Oldies Club, a St Albans-based dog shelter which helps older dogs find new homes, is making a special festive appeal for its residents, many of whom have been abandoned or abused by previous owners.

Cher Bygrave, the club's area co-ordinator for Herts, Beds and Bucks, has been rescuing dogs as a profession for more than 40 years and she is the sole temporary foster-parent for all the local Oldie dogs who are hoping for a new home.

Cher, who also works for St Albans dog rescue, said that The Oldies Club desperately needed more volunteers and added: "We're such a worthwhile charity but nobody seems to know about us. We really need generous souls to come and give us a hand with anything, whether it be carrying out home-checks, helping us fundraise for our vet bills or providing a home for one of our lovely dogs."

Cher, who lives in London Colney with three of her own dogs, is currently looking after 11-year-old Rosie, a Rottweiler from Staffordshire who came to The Oldies Club as a victim of violence. Rosie, a friendly and affectionate dog who especially enjoys car rides, can be rehomed anywhere in the UK and when she is, her spot in Cher's home will be filled by one of 47 dogs on the waiting list.

Cher retrains and rehabilitates all the dogs during their stay and it's very hard to part with them. She said: "I want to keep every single Oldie that comes into my home but I get a huge sense of satisfaction when waving a dog off to a new home and then knowing that I've got the space for another one."

The Oldies Club looks after dogs aged seven and upwards and potential owners must pass a thorough home-check before they can take an Oldie home. If you are interested in Rosie, would like to adopt a different Oldie or want to help fundraise for the club, call 08445868656, email oldies@oldies.org.uk or check out the website at www.oldies.org.uk