A DOG charity is hoping a week-long television campaign to help rehome animals will put the spotlight on helping local rescue centres.

Spirit of the Dog, which helps dogs and owners across Tendring, is in desperate need of more volunteers to join its committee, more funds, and land to create a secure dog park.

The charity’s overall aim is to build a rehabilitation centre for dogs with behavioural issues and last chance dogs that face being put to death if they aren’t helped.

But despite years of fundraising and working without it’s own home or kennels, the charity says it has been struggling to move it’s project forward.

Trustees are hoping Channel 4’s Animal Rescue Live, which aired last week to find homes for thousands of unwanted pets, will encourage residents to get involved and help.

Claudine Benstead, a trustee and behavioural expert from Great Oakley, said: “We have been looking for land to build a centre on but can’t find anywhere suitable that we would get planning permission for. Our hope in the short term is to find land for a dog park.“A lot of people can’t let their dogs off the lead so we want to have somewhere secure for them to exercise their dogs.“In America they have them but not here.We just need a couple of acres of land for it.”

The charity says the park could help with some behavioural issues, which can result from pent up energy, as well as help owners gain confidence and do training.

More volunteers are also being called for to help run the charity, which helps with behavioural advice and rehomes dogs, and organise fundraising events. To get involved call Claudine on 07999 518244.