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Sunnyside's Cherri with two pups

Every year, Karen Doy and her staff strive to rescue and re-home thousands of stray and unwanted dogs from all over the West Midlands area.

The kennels opened in 2002 and offers facilities for housing, treating and exercising up to 100 dogs waiting for new owners.

"We receive stray dogs from Monday to Saturday," said Karen. "Police stations alert us whenever they find abandoned dogs and our drivers go and collect them.

"When capacity allows, we also help people who are anxious to find new homes for their own dogs, normally due to a change of their circumstances."

All breeds, shapes and sizes

All of the animals are immediately given a health and behavioural assessment. By law Sunnyside cannot re-home them for the first week in case they are reclaimed by former owners.

"Not all of our dogs are necessarily available for re-homing," explains Karen. "Some may be under assessment for behavioural or medical reasons and we would never let anyone take away a dog that is perceived to be a danger to staff or the public."

Sometimes a dog can show signs of serious physical neglect on arrival and require extra care and attention.

Some dogs are very camera shy!

"It's horrible to see the condition that some of the dogs are in," said Karen.

"Malnourishment and dirty or matted fur are probably the most common. But the feelings we all get when we've nursed them better and a loving family arrives to give them a new life make it worth it.

"We're all huge dog lovers and a lot of the staff here have dogs at home that were rescued by Sunnyside!"

Families are encouraged to come and see the dogs between 11am and 4.45pm Mondays to Saturdays and you can fuss and walk any dog that takes your fancy.

Awwww...

"We do charge a fee to re-home dogs but we're also a registered charity," explains Karen. "We do get lots of support from the local community and we're very grateful. But donations, such as food and blankets for the dogs, are always welcome!"

Sunnyside Kennels is based in Coven, Wolverhampton and is part of Birmingham Dogs Home. For more information, visit www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk.