A quarter of all dogs surrendered to an animal shelter last year were old pets handed in by elderly owners who were no longer capable of looking after them.

Up to 35 dogs a month are being reluctantly surrendered because of the homeless crisis, according to the owner of an animal sanctuary who has described the regular scenes as 'heartbreaking'.

A Meath family have been left “happier than any lottery winners” after being reunited with their beloved pet dog who went missing from their home six months ago.