AN ANIMAL charity found homes for thousands of animals in 2018, and is set to do even more this year.

RSPCA national centres and branches in Wales found new homes for - on average - more than one rescue dog every single day last year, and through the animal welfare charity's Adoptober event, hopes to find even more second chance of happiness for man's best friend.

Almost 400 dogs were rehomed in 2018, with more than 2,000 animals in total rehomed by the RSPCA in Wales, including from animal centres and by the charity's network of independent branches across the country.

Coralie Farren, RSPCA regional operations manager for Wales, said: "RSPCA animal centres and branches worked exceptionally hard throughout 2018 to find homes for rescue dogs, who too often have escaped mistreatment or neglect.

"Rehoming happens day in day out but we have launched Adoptober to shine the light on the countless rescue dogs who remain in our care and want to join those who have already found that second chance of happiness.

"Our rescue centres and branches found so many new homes for dogs across Wales last year but we want to do more.

"Staffies remain one of the most common dogs seen at our centres but these amazing dogs can make the most wonderful companion, and we'd urge anyone considering adding a dog to their family to adopt and not shop this October, and check out the stunning rescue dogs currently in the care of RSPCA animal centres or branches."

In Flintshire, 535 animals were collected/rescued in 2018 - of which 21 were dogs - compared to 388 in Wrexham - of which 25 were dogs.

Now the RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal, looking to find more homes for dogs in their care.

As part of the RSPCA's special rehoming drive Adoptober, new figures have also been released showing that while pure-breed and crossbreed Staffies, lurchers, Jack Russell terriers and German shepherds are still the most common dog to come into its care.

Staff at RSPCA Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre are looking for a home for the beautiful Pippa.

The five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, is full of so much love and is just looking for an owner to give her the same in return. As soon as she spots someone or if you start talking to her, her tail goes into overdrive.

The charity is also seeing more crossbreeds and breeds used for popular crosses - such as cocker spaniels and poodles - arriving in its centres as inspectors shut down puppy farms and collect abandoned dogs and puppies.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Hens added: "We know the animals coming into our care tend to reflect general dog ownership trends and there's been a huge surge in recent years in people buying 'designer dogs' and crossbreeds such as cavachons, puggles and cockerpoos.

"As part of our rehoming drive this October - Adoptober - we want to shine a light on all of the dogs in our care and encourage people to adopt a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy. All the animals in our care have a lot of love to give and we have a huge variety of dogs in our kennels waiting for homes, of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds."

More information about rescuing a dog can be found on the RSPCA website.