As the big day approaches, spare a thought for the rescue dogs facing the prospect of spending the festivities in a shelter - unwanted, abandoned, or reluctantly given up by owners who can no longer care for them.

Here are 20 of the adorable pooches at Last Chance Animal Rescue in Kent desperate to find their forever homes this Christmas…

Chestnut and Cranberry, 12 weeks, pomskies

Chestnut and Cranberry are puppies who came to the rescue from a pound.

They are looking for a loving home with an active owner who will be in all the time to help with training and socialising them.

They will need to attend training classes and can be rehomed separately.

Bear, 1, lurcher crossbreed

Bear is a sweet boy who is very affectionate when he feels safe and gets to know you.

He hasn’t had the best start in life and is looking for an understanding home with an owner who will give him the time he needs to show his young and playful side.

The one-year-old lurcher crossbreed is new to the rescue so they are unsure of how he is with other dogs at this stage.

Rosie and Jim, 4, border terriers

Rosie and Jim are a very lively and playful pair.

They are looking for an active home and an owner who will be able to take them both on.

The pair would benefit from some further training and socialising but will make great family pets.

Jett, 2, cockapoo

Jett is a playful and affectionate cockapoo who is good with people and knows a few tricks.

He likes to jump on furniture for his own spot and will wait for his food patiently.

He is talkative with other dogs and okay on the lead but sometimes loses attention so will need more training.

Jett has no awareness of dangers around him and will chase prey and other dogs – and will walk into roads.

He has a strong guarding instinct and anything he decides he values, he will defend.

This means he can get slightly aggressive over certain things however once items are removed he is back to his normal affectionate self.

Daisy, 12, Ruby and Sandy, 9, Lhasa apso mix

Daisy, Ruby and Sandy are looking for a home together.

They are very sweet and friendly and rely on each other for company.

Daisy is the mum to the two children and her eyesight is starting to deteriorate slowly.

They are looking for a calm home that doesn’t have any young children.

Agassi, 4, greyhound

Agassi is an ex-racing greyhound who has never lived in a home environment.

He is beginning to enjoy retirement and recently realised how much he loved squeaky toys.

When it comes to his food, he is very particular about what he eats - and will spit out biscuits he doesn’t like the taste of.

Agassi loves a fuss and will walk into you with his head to wait for a stroke.

He is looking for a loving retirement home with an owner who can give him the time and love he deserves.

He is good around other dogs his size but won’t be able to live with any small animals or fluffy dogs due to his prey drive.

Sally, 1-2, lurcher cross

Sally is a very sweet lurcher crossbreed.

She is quite strong on the lead so will need further training as well as socialising with other dogs.

She is looking for an active home with no young children as the rescue doesn’t have any information about her history.

Milo, 3, German shepherd and husky mix

Milo is a sweet-natured three-year-old who came to the rescue from a Welsh pound.

He is looking for a pet-free home as he has a high prey drive.

His new owner will need to be patient and experienced, and he won’t be able to live with any children.

Roxy, 9 months, whippet

Roxy is a lovely, friendly whippet who can be a bit nervous with people when she first meets them.

She has lived with other dogs in the past as well as teenage children.

She is looking for a home with a calm atmosphere due to her nervousness.

Lucy and Darcy, 10, chihuahuas

Lucy and Darcy are a very affectionate pair of chihuahuas who are looking to be rehomed together.

They’ve been together since they were six weeks old and are now 10.

They are looking for a home with a nice sofa to cuddle up on together.

Nora, 5, pomski and collie mix

Nora is a sweet five-year-old who can be a bit shy at first, but is happy and cuddly once she knows you,

She likes going out on long walks and loves being fussed over.

Jess, 7 months, doberman and labrador cross

Jess is a sweet dog who can be very bouncy.

She is looking for an active home and will need lots of training as she is currently quite strong on the lead.

She is okay with other dogs and could be rehomed with older children in the house.

Kevin, 2-3, French bulldog

Kevin is a lovely Frenchie who is very friendly with everyone he meets.

He is between two and three years old and came to the rescue as a stray, so they have no history for him.

He is looking for a home with no young children.

Daphne and Doris, 4, French bulldogs

Daphne and Doris are four-year-old French bulldogs who are looking to be rehomed together.

They are very affectionate but will need some training as they aren’t used to walking on a lead.

The pair will also need socialising with other dogs.

Are you interested in rehoming a dog?

All of the dogs profiled above are being cared for by Last Chance Animal Rescue at its sites in Edenbridge and New Romney.

Visit www.lastchanceanimalrescue.co.uk for more information.

Alternatively, call 01797 366620.