LOST and abandoned dogs have been given their own Facebook pages by dog wardens looking to find them a new home.

Hartlepool dog wardens have launched the dedicated dog re-homing service page on Facebook and it is already proving very popular.

Dogs are photographed immediately upon collection and their pictures uploaded to the page. Each photo is accompanied by a unique reference number and a brief description of the dog, including its colour, sex, breed (if known) and the date it will become available for adoption.

The page at facebook.com/dogwardenhpool also provides a new opportunity for the council to publicise a range of information, including the details of microchipping surgeries, neutering campaigns and advice about responsible dog ownership.

Kate Ainger, Hartlepool Council's environmental projects officer, said that a Facebook account was not needed to view the page.