DOG lovers in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne are being urged to come forward to give a home to two Staffie dogs.

The RSPCA centre at West Hatch, between Ilminster and Taunton, received the dogs following the death of their owner.

The dogs are both ten years old, friendly and in a need of a new home.

They came to the centre as their owner had signed up to the RSPCA's new free Home for Life service.

The service came about after the animal charity realised that thousands of pet owners die each year without making arrangements for their pets in their Wills.

The RSPCA warns that hundreds of pets could be left unwanted, uncared for and even homeless.

To tackle this problem, the RSPCA wants to draw attention to Home for Life - whereby pet owners put a clause in their will stating that the RSPCA will take care of their pets when they pass away, and attempt to find them new loving homes.

Sally Neale, manager of RSPCA West Hatch Domestic Centre, said: "In many cases, family members are well placed to look after these pets, but some pet owners might not consider the emotional and financial burden that unwanted pets can place on the recently bereaved. These pressures are not just to the detriment of the new owners, but can often result in suffering for the pet itself."

For more information call the RSPCA on 0800-4320880 or click on the link below.