BLOCK Fen Animal Centre is appealing to the public to add an extra Christmas present to their list and donate a dog coat.

The RSPCA centre near Wimblington, Cambs, has 34 dogs in its care, and some of the smaller occupants need a little extra help keeping warm during the winter.

Kirstyn Gaunt, deputy manager at the centre, said: “We are certainly all feeling the chill during this recent cold spell, and no one more than the smaller dogs at Block Fen.

“But with so many dogs in at the moment we just seem to have run out of coats for them.

“Every time we have appealed for help in the past, the public have always responded fantastically, and we just hope that once again they will respond to our plea.

“The coats don’t have to be brand new, as long as they are warm and waterproof. It is also important to say that the functionality of the coats will clearly come before fashion

“We put coats on the dogs that need it, when they go out into the run during their daily exercises, and some will wear them during the day, when they are using their outside kennels.

Staff are also appealing for the public to donate dog blankets as well.

The coats can be dropped off at the RSPCA centre in Block Fen Drove, Wimblington, March, PE15 0FB.

The centre is open 11am-3.30pm every day except Wednesdays or you can call 0300 123 0726 - (The centre will be closed - on Christmas Day on Boxing Day).