Errol could be the unluckiest dog in Britain, after spending ten years in a rescue centre.

The 12-year-old border collie cross has spent about 70 dog years (according to the popular myth) in kennels after he was abandoned by his owner. But as animal charities prepare to be inundated with dogs and cats dumped over the festive period, Errol is hoping that 2008 might bring him a new family.

He is not alone. The RSPCA takes in more than 50 unwanted dogs and cats a day during December, a figure that rises to 90 in January. The charity said that the surge was not just a result of unwanted Christmas presents being dumped, but was also a consequence of many families having a winter “clear out” before the new year. There is usually a second surge in the summer, when people abandon pets because they cannot find anyone to care for them while they are on holiday, a spokesman said.

Errol was abandoned at the Gemini Kennels in Wickford, Essex, in the summer of 1997 with his brother William. William died last year.

Now the owners of the kennel are hoping that someone will be prepared to offer Errol a home. Michael Knight, 51, said: “We couldn’t home Errol and William together because some people don’t want to take on two dogs and we weren’t prepared to split them up. But now William has gone and Errol is a bit older, we feel it’s time for him to move on.

“There is nothing like a home environment for a dog to live out their final years. Dogs these days can live until they are 17, so he could have a long and happy retirement with the right person.”

He added: “[Ten years] is a long time for a dog to be in kennels, even though he has been loved and looked after. He is fit and healthy. He is not aggressive at all and he is still full of life. After his brother died he fretted for a while but now he is fine. He has calmed down a lot.”

Mr Knight, who runs the kennels with Eunice Reece, 50, said that they were looking ideally for a family or an elderly couple. Mr Knight said: “We are looking for someone who will love him throughout the time he has left. We will be sad to see him go, but we want to find the right home for him. That is our aim for all the dogs at our kennels.”

Last year alone, Gemini Kennels picked up 284 dogs that had been dumped, and rehoused 260 of them. Over Christmas, three unwanted puppies — Holly the Staffordshire bull terrier, Tinsel the shih tzu/pug cross and Violet the collie — were rescued after being given as unwanted presents.

Mr Knight said: “Sadly the number of dogs dumped each year is increasing. We are not just talking about middle-aged dogs but dogs of all ages. We are trying to get the message across to members of the public, but they still don’t heed it. Every rescue centre we know says it is getting worse, not better. It is horrific.”

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