YORK RSPCA animal home workers are lamenting the fact they have no room at the inn this Christmas because of a staggering increase in the numbers of people wanting to get rid of their pets.

The numbers of people asking the animal home to take in pets, in particular dogs, which they say they can no longer cope with has increased steadily over the past couple of months.

The centre is now full to bursting with 90 dogs and 30 puppies, while a further 40 dogs are on the waiting list.

They have also seen an upturn in the number of rabbits turned over to them by owners who do not want them any more.

Ruth McCabe, manager of the animal home in Landing Lane, Clifton, said: "We're absolutely heaving. Just about every phone call we're taking is from people wanting to get rid of their dogs.

"We're hearing every reason you can imagine from them not being house trained to snapping at the kids.

"It's just terrible and we haven't got any room left.

"All we can say to people is we'll put them on the waiting list and get them in when we can - every other animals home is in the same position.

"I think the biggest reason is that people don't realise the commitment when they take on a dog and the minute something goes wrong they want to get rid of it.

"It's not too bad for us just after Christmas because it's usually by the middle of summer that people have got puppies which are starting to get older and chew up the furniture.

"Someone in the neighbourhood will have a litter and everyone gets one and the minute they grow into adult dogs and need more exercise and training people can't cope any more.

"It's always been like this but I think this year is one of the worst I've known."

And the picture is similar on a national scale.

Tony Crittenden, the RSPCA's head of inspectorate, said: "Animals are filling up our shelters as soon as a space appears.

"It seems as though we're living in a throw-away society and animals are looked upon as being disposable."

The York animal home is now closed until the new year and no animals will be re-homed during the festive season.