12 strays of Christmas: The pets looking for a home this festive season

While Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, the festive season often sees the numbers of stray pets skyrocket across Sydney. Can you find a home for these cute furballs?

These cute furballs are the most wonderful pets of the year — and they’re all looking for a new home this Christmas.

While it is a time of joy and happiness, the festive season often sees the numbers of stray pets sky rocket.

Managing Director of the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home Melissa Penn said this year’s Christmas period is the worst it has ever been in terms of strays being found.

And while numbers of stray pets keep rising, sadly the number of adoptions have failed to rise with it.

“This has been our biggest summer yet when it comes to animals coming in, and we hope it leads to more adoptions but that’s not always the case,” Ms Penn said.

Goosey the Border Collie. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Boris the Domestic Medium Hair. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Opal the Domestic Short Hair. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Adoption numbers are lower than they are historically with more coming in than going out.”

Ms Penn wants to encourage Sydneysiders to add to their family for the holiday season.

Prospective owners and call in at the Dogs & Cats Home to meet would-be pets in the fur and find out whether they can bond with the animals straight away.

“It’s almost impossible to not form relationships with the animals, obviously the staff form strong bonds with all of them but we can’t take them all home,” she said.

“It only takes one day at the shelter and you’ll fill your heart with love for the animals.’’

Teacup the Domestic Short Hair. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Croissant the Domestic Short Hair. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Bronze the American Staffordshire. Picture: Supplied

Crouton, the Short Hair. Picture: Supplied

Ms Penn said even if families were not ready to make a decision to adopt a dog or cat, fostering one is another option.

This year people will get the opportunity to adopt pets like Teacup, an adorable cat who can see your entire world through her one eye.

Chino the Rottweiler. Picture: Supplied

Casper, the Bull Arab x Picture: Supplied

Marlo, the American Staffordshire. Picture: Supplied

Meeko, the American Staffordshire. Picture: Richard Dobson

Lucia, the Boxer x. Picture: Supplied

Or if you’re more into dogs why not give Goosey the border collie a chance. With an appetite for a good time and chew toys, he is just waiting for a new family. Enjoy our list of the 12 strays of Christmas.

To adopt one of the 12 strays of Christmas go to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home or phone [phone]