A doggy day care is no longer able to take stray pups found by the council due to new ''strict boarding regulations".

KareBear Boarding Kennels, Gillingham, has announced it will no longer be able to aid Swale's dog warden without having to "demolish" part of its existing business.

Over the years the business, run by Kelly and Billy Bleach, has taken in dogs found abandoned across Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Faversham.

This included one dog named Beethoven, a dog that was found in Hartlip unable to walk after being thrown from a car.

They also cared for the seven Labrador pups that were rescued after being dumped next to the A249.

Although the couple will no longer be able to help with strays they are continuing to offer their boarding facilities to other dog owners.

In a statement made on Facebook they said: "Just thought I’d let everyone know we no longer have the Swale contract to take the stray dogs.

"Long story short, the kennels have to now be in line with the strict boarding regulations. The dogs all need to have outdoor runs as well as being indoors.

"To do this would mean that we'd have to demolish the whole block and restart as it’s all indoors at the moment.

"We just can’t afford this especially as the money we were getting from the council didn’t even cover the dogs that came in.

"We just did it because we love them and loved helping them."

Kelly and Billy say they're "absolutely gutted about it" because they feel they've done "so much for so many stray dogs that all have the best lives now".

Any of the dogs found by the council would be dropped off at KareBear Kennels for seven days before they were either rehomed or taken to a rescue.

The statement continued: "The rescue block isn’t the prettiness of kennels but it’s somewhere safe and warm.

"They got the best food and care while they were here, a lot came indoors with us.

"We feel we had a very good working relationship with Swale council and it worked very well so it’s a massive shame."

Swale Borough Council confirmed the end of the arrangement.

A spokesman said: "We’ve been made aware that we can no longer take stray dogs to our usual provider, and they will now be looked after at other local licensed facilities.

"The provider has assisted us, looking after and rehoming our stray dogs, and we want to thank them for their contribution.

"Although it’s unfortunate that they’ve withdrawn their services, we appreciate the reasons why, and wish them good luck for the future.

"We’ll continue to make sure that any stray dogs we collect, receive the care they need by working with our excellent network of animal charities and partners so that, after the statutory seven day period, the dogs are re-homed by experts."

Despite the announcement Kelly and Billy still have one little pup left with them, Holly.

They said: "She was due to be rehomed, but when I took her for her first vaccination and vet check, which was paid for by me and billy, it turns out she has a heart murmur.

"The dog's health is more important than anything and as she needs a scan and a lot of care she will stay indoors with my lot until she can find a rescue to take her costs on.

"I really want to care for her but just can’t afford it unfortunately. She is an amazing little girl.

"We want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has helped in the past with donations, coats, knitting blankets and everything else."