WHILE we sit at home surrounded by family and friends this Christmas, spare a thought for the hundreds of homeless cats and dogs in the county.
RSPCA centres are typically inundated at this time of year.
And the Danaher RSPCA centre at Wethersfield, near Braintree, is no exception.
Currently at full capacity with around 70 dogs in kennels and 40 cats, the centre is stretched trying to supply enough food for all of the animals.
Volunteer Sam Bear, 41, said: "It's really dismal at the moment. It's just because we are so full and people are so stretched money-wise we see a significant drop in the donations we do receive."
With annual running costs for the RSPCA home reaching into the £500,000 mark, here at the Chronicle we are trying to help by setting up a Danaher Christmas food collection area for dog food donations.
Over the two-week Christmas period, Danaher dogs work their way through around 15 large sacks of dry food, and the cats consume 40 tins of food per day.
"And that doesn't even take into consideration the specialist food some dogs require and the mixed food," said Sam.
But as well as food supplies, the home is in desperate need of blankets and dog coats.
Sam added: "it's really difficult at this time of year because it is so cold. They have the inside and outside part of the kennels but if we shut the outside part the public can't see the dogs."
Luna is a two-year-old Staffie who has been stranded at Danaher for nearly a year.
Sam, who has four of her own rescue dogs, said: "She came into us via the dog warden as a stray so unfortunately we don't have any background on where she came from, but she's a friendly, happy dog who likes attention and a cuddle and being around people.
"We think Luna would be best suited to owners who have experience with the breed and who can continue the training we have been doing with her at the home. Some of her friends have since found homes but Luna is still waiting for hers."
Donations should be left at the Essex Chronicle, First Floor, Kestrel House, Colchester Road, Chelmsford, CM2 5PF.
