A DOZEN hungry puppies that were feeling pretty paw-ful were given a tasty treat by a host of generous local businesses.

The 12 dogs, eight of which were Rottweilers and four other breeds, were given to Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard shortly before Christmas.

Due to the sudden nature that the sanctuary had to look after them, there was a shortage of food leaving staff desperately worried that the puppies would have to go hungry over the festive period.

However, a bunch of generous businesses from Chard, Taunton, Axminster and Yeovil leapt to the rescue and donated extra supplies so the prized pooches could be fed.

Jenny Wheadon, head of external funding at the sanctuary, said: “Twelve little cherubs were brought into Ferne in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

“As they were with us over the festive period, we used up our puppy food very quickly, so had to send out an urgent appeal for help.

“The response we received was amazing.”

In a further boost for the sanctuary, eight of the puppies have now been rehomed.

Jenny added: “On behalf of Ferne Animal Sanctuary, I would like to sincerely thank Pets at Home in Taunton and Tiverton, Crown Pet Foods Castle Cary, Mole Avon Axminster and also express our appreciation for the general donation of goods for the animals at Christmas to Prenax Ltd of Yeovil and Numatic International of Chard.”

It is the latest in a long line of incidents where the sanctuary has helped unwanted pets.

Founded in 1939 by the late Nina, Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon, Ferne Animal Sanctuary originally looked after the pets of servicemen and women who were going away to fight for their country.

Apart from rehomed dogs and cats, horses are fostered. All other creatures stay at Ferne for the rest of their lives.

No healthy animal is ever put down.

For more information about the Ferne Animal Sanctuary, upcoming events and how to become a valued volunteer visit ferneanimalsanctuary.org or call 01460 65214.