A COLCHESTER dog rescue centre is asking for urgent donations after an increase in dogs being abandoned across the city.

Colchester K9 Rescue, which opened in March last year, has already helped numerous dogs find homes.

Tanya Malone, who runs the rescue, claims that both the cost of living crisis and the XL bully ban means numerous dogs have been dumped since the end of last year.

She said: “In some sense your heart gets broken every day, seeing the animals in such distress.

“You want to make the difference but without the support and donations, your hands are tied.”

Gazette: Happy - Ethel, 14, is a Staffordshire breed with eyesight problems and other health conditionsHappy - Ethel, 14, is a Staffordshire breed with eyesight problems and other health conditions (Image: Tanya Malone)

Tanya explained how the new non-profit venture which started in March will hopefully become a registered charity.

For now, Tanya raises funds herself to help dogs, which can often come in “covered with fleas and emaciated”.

All the dogs are then neutered, vaccinated, pilled and micro-chipped but she says the biggest “struggle” is the vet bills which can cost thousands of pounds each time, despite a discount.

Bags of food from bowls that have already been opened or going off or surplus are also generously donated by Jollyes Pet Store.  

Gazette: Help - 7-year-old Fergie is in need of a foster home while he is put up for adoption Help - 7-year-old Fergie is in need of a foster home while he is put up for adoption (Image: Tanya Malone)

Health issues can range from typical but relatively minor kennel cough to dogs to dogs with cushion’s disease.

In one case fourteen-year-old Ethel was stressed after spending a “very traumatic few months in the pound”.

Tanya explained that mounting pet and vet costs in a cost-of-living crisis is likely why Ethel was found dumped with a collar which only said ‘senior dog’.

Gazette: Healthy - This dog came to the rescue at an extremely low weight but is now at a much more healthy weightHealthy - This dog came to the rescue at an extremely low weight but is now at a much more healthy weight (Image: Tanya Malone)

Tanya, who has been involved in various dog rescues for more than 15 years, said getting to know each dog very well and taking time to find the right owner was important to her.

She said there was a “huge increase” in XL bully dogs being dropped in but the rescue is no longer allowed to take in any of the breeds following a change in law this week.

She added: “I am not going anywhere. I know the area and the rescue is not going anywhere”.  

"We are here to heal and support all the animals in need, that otherwise would be put to sleep without rescue space. 

For more information and to donate on the website via PayPal visit.