PETS are usually cher-ished by their owners but some end up on the streets after being neglected or getting lost.

Swindon Animal Sanctuary is a charity that works to rescue abandoned dogs and find them new permanent homes.

The organisation was initially formed in 1986 with the aim of building a sanctuary for abandoned dogs and cats in Swindon but three years later decided to carry out dog rescue missions.

Susan Murton, who volunteers as the dog rescue co-ordinator for the sanctuary, said that rescue missions are funded through donations from the new owners of the dog after it is re-homed.

She said that fund-raising for a permanent sanctuary is a separate activity from the dog rescue missions.

"We are trying to raise sufficient funds to open a sanctuary here in Swindon but in the meantime we are working closely with the council dog warden Kay Giblett to keep abandoned animals off the streets," she said.

Susan and other volunteers also work with Drove Road Veterinary Surgery on Croft Road, which is where Swindon Council or members of the public take strays or abandoned pets.

The sanctuary volunteers provide the vital service of transporting dogs from the pound to foster homes until permanent residences can be found for them.

Angie Newman, stray kennel warden at the veterinary hospital, said: "After seven days if we don't manage to re-house them then we pass them onto the sanctuary."

They rarely have to have dogs put down because they usually manage to find foster homes.

"I've actually taken a few home myself until we could figure out what to do with them."

Susan's latest job was to transport a highly excited black retriever cross, to his new foster parents in Calne.

Although a stray, he is described as an affectionate dog with bundles of energy and acquired the name of Tommy during the course of his journey to Calne.

Tommy's new foster parent Sue Tanner, already owns two dogs called Finlay and Daisy.

Sue is provided with any equipment needed to care for a dog such as leads, cages and food as well as any necessary vaccinations for all the dogs she fosters.

She said: "I really like dogs, and it's nice to help those that don't have homes.

"I've got two of my own so I can't take on any more on but I can look after some while they are being found new homes."

Susan said that a lack of foster homes prevents her from rescuing more dogs.

"What really limits us is foster homes, with older dogs, it takes a longer time to re-house them," she said.

"Most of the foster homes on our list already have dogs in them.

"We have to make sure they get on, otherwise we have to bring them back and start the process again.

"The ideal foster or adoption home would be one where someone is at home most of the day or has a secure garden so the dogs can't escape.

"If the family have children then we like them to be older, not toddlers because with strays we don't know their history.

"We are very careful about placing dogs with unknown histories with children."

Tommy's profile has now been placed on the sanctuary's website so a permanent home can be found for him.

The other part of the sanct-uary's work involves raising money to build an animal sanctuary with medical facilities.

Derek Taylor, the organis-ation's land search co-ordinator says the Sanctuary has been campaigning for 16 years and has so far raised over £120,000.

He said: "We are now reaching the stage where we are seriously looking for land where we can build something from scratch or a piece of land with buildings that we can convert. We have set ourselves a target of two years to achieve this.

"We plan to double our membership by the end of the year and continue raising money through stalls and donations."