An animal shelter near Bristol is finding it harder to rehouse pets because of the credit crunch.

Staff at Holly Hedge animal sanctuary in Barrow Gurney have found abandoned animals are taking longer to find new homes, and when people do take pets they often want smaller ones because they're cheaper.

The centre in Wildcountry Lane has 35 dogs and 48 cats and kittens which it is hoping to rehouse in 2009.

Ten of them were brought in by concerned members of the public between Christmas and New Year, abandoned by people who didn't seem to realise a pet is not just for the festive season.

Among them are Angel, a Rottweiler abandoned on Christmas Eve.

She was found tied to the gates of the pumping station on Stockwood Lane, by an employee who happened to be picking up some paper work.

If they hadn't been passing Angel would have probably gone undiscovered for several days.

Angel would suit someone used to looking after big dogs, and a home without children.

Another abandoned pet looking for a home is Olivia, a six-month-old black kitten whose former owner parked up in Wraxall, let her out and never came back.

She is in good health and very friendly and would suit any family.

Bristol Dogs and Cats home is also experiencing high numbers of abandoned pets, with two very large cats, known as Willow and Barney, among those looking for a new home.

Holly Hedge warden Jennie Randall said: "We've been about as busy as this time last year.

"We have found people are going for smaller breeds of dog rather than the bigger ones though, and some have taken longer to rehouse.

"Pets can be an expensive business with injections, food and vets fees.

"But god knows what makes people abandon animals like this, I wish I did.

"It wouldn't have been so bad if they had decided they didn't want to look after Angel and left her somewhere she could be found.

"They took her somewhere she wouldn't be found for three or four days.

"She wouldn't have died but she would have been in a sorry state, she was very scared when she came in and the cold would not have been good for her."

The sanctuary is open every day from 11am to 4pm or 2pm on Tuesdays.

If you can give a home to their animals or have a pet you don't feel you can care for any longer give them a ring on Bristol 977 4729.