A LOCAL business has given a Christmas boost to dog rescue charity.

Helen and John Henry Cheetham, from Scallywags pet shop in Kirkbymoorside, have donated a supply of dog food to Ryedale Dog Rescue in time for the festive season.

The couple took on the business in September and have been busy looking at ways to develop the store, including supporting local rescue charities.

Helen said: "Taking on Scallywags is a brand new and exciting venture for us and as new business owners we are keen to show our support for a local charity.

"We soon realised we had an excess amount of a certain dog foods and wanted to make sure this excess went to good use, therefore we felt Christmas was the perfect opportunity to help Ryedale Dog Rescue and offer up the food to support the influx of dogs they tend to receive after Christmas."

Ryedale Dog Rescue volunteer Sarah Lally-Marley, who is a trustee of the charity, said: "We are very grateful to Scallywags for their fantastic donation of food to the rescue.

"Due to the disruption in family homes over the festive season we don’t rehome dogs until after the busy Christmas period, so this is a very welcome donation for us."

Since the charity started in 2005, they have successfully rehomed more than 900 dogs. In the first few months of the year they are often their busiest, so they are grateful for any donations or offers of fundraising support.

Sarah added: "Sadly, we know that post-Christmas, the council pounds will be full of unwanted and abandoned dogs, so support from local people and businesses is vital for us.

"Every year we ask people not to buy puppies as Christmas presents, but every year people do and as they grow, their cuteness loses its appeal and these poor dogs are thrown aside like an unwanted present."

This donation is an added bonus for the charity, following a busy month of fundraising. Every year the charity also produce a calendar, funded through the support of local businesses.

To buy a calendar email enquiries@ryedaledogrescue.com or phone 07581 324153. For more information, visit ryedaledogrescue.com