ANIMAL-LOVERS campaigning to build a sanctuary have redoubled their efforts after being inundated with strays during the festive period.

Pets found abandoned after Christmas include a cat thrown from a car window, a seven-week-old puppy named Henry tied into a bag and dumped and a ten-week-old puppy named Ged found wandering the streets.

Saltburn Animal Rescue Association's 11 animal foster carers were left to deal with an extra 28 cats and dogs in the days after Christmas.

Leading members of the group say their four-year campaign to raise £300,000 to build a modern animal sanctuary has never been more urgent.

The charity, which has so far raised £77,000, has begun a search for two- to five-acre sites, possibly on a farm and has been in touch with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. The charity had only six members when the appeal was launched but now has 140 paid-up members.

However, Anne Prosser, chairman of Sara, is currently focused on dealing with the post-Christmas crises. She said: "It's hard to believe that people still buy puppies for Christmas after all these years of campaigning, and still don't get their dogs neutered.

"You can talk about what people like ourselves do, what the RSPCA, vets and councils do about this problem but, in the end, it's all down to irresponsible owners.

"The need for a sanctuary is certainly there, we're only just coping."

Ms Prosser said: "But you have to remember most people are good pet-owners.

"There is the other side of Christmas, the good side. You get a lot of goodwill and we've had three new foster carers come forward, which has helped enormously."

June Ramsdale, of Marske, has temporarily taken in Henry, the puppy found abandoned in a bag on a Middlesbrough street. She said: "He's doing fine, but he needs a good home."

Meanwhile Sheila Green, treasurer of Sara, said the charity plans to step up its fund-raising campaign in the new year so that in future all abandoned dogs and cats can be housed.

Sara's helpline number is (01287) 201005.