The 12 Dogs (and cats) of Christmas , bought to you from Three Counties Dog Rescue.

Here are 12 gorgeous dogs and cats looking for a forever home at Three Counties Dog Rescue, hoping to find their forever home in 2026.

The dogs and cats featured have all been specially put forward by the rescue centre as they have been waiting a long time for a home and not had much interest.

Sally

Sally, a six year old Shepherd x Frenchie (Photo: Three Counties Dog Rescue)

Sally is a six-year-old Shepherd X Frenchie. She has been at the rescue for a little while as she was incredibly frightened and nervous when she came in to us. The team have had to spend quite a few months working with her to gain her trust. Sally is still nervous with new people.

Sally is friendly and playful once she knows and trusts you. Sally knows all her basic manners. She loves to be outside to run around and play.

Sally is a fairly big, strong girl so the rescue centre feel any children in her new family should be at least teenagers. 

Sally is not keen on other dogs or cats so she needs a home where she can be the only animal. She would benefit from an owner who has some experience of the Shepherd breed.

Click here to find out more about Sally.

Jodie

Jodie is almost three years old and is a Neapolitan Mastiff that was abandoned by her previous owner and left alone in a house.

When she came to the rescue centre, she was suffering with cherry eye but has since had surgery and her eyes and sight are now fine.

Jodie is a smashing girl but it is apparent that she has not had much training or socialisation. They are currently working on her manners and stopping her from jumping up. 

She is a very large and strong girl so her new owner needs to have previous experience of large breed dogs and the strength to be able to walk her as she is currently very strong on her lead and pulls.

Click here to find out more about Jodie.

Pippa

Pippa

Pippa is a lovely girl who has had a hard start in her life. She has already had two homes, through no fault of her own, before ending up at the rescue.

She is very nervous but the team at the rescue are working hard to overcome it but they feel she would benefit from a quiet home where any children are over 16.

To find out more about Pippa, click here.

Xena

Xena

Xena came to the rescue centre after her previous family had a young child and they felt they no longer had time for her.

She is a lovely young dog who is quite nervous at first but will quickly come around to new people. She enjoys a cuddle and is still young enough to benefit from training.

She is looking for a gentle home, maybe with a calm male dog but would not get on well living with a cat or any children will have to be teenagers.

Click here to find out more about Xena.

Peggy

Peggy is a 9 year old English Bulldog X Staffy that has sadly been passed around 3 different homes before coming to the rescue centre.

Peggy knows all her basic manners and will sit nicely for treats. She knows the command "wait".

Peggy walks nicely on her harness but can pull a bit. She likes to be outside to play and she loves her toys. She adores being around people.

Peggy loves to go out in the car.

Her last owner told the rescue centre that she is very reactive to other dogs and hates cats so a home where she can be the only animal in the house is needed for her.

Click here to find out more.

Slim Jim

Slim Jim

Slim Jim came to the rescue centre as his previous owner worked away a lot and was no longer strong enough to handle him due to declining health.

He was previously used as a working job and lived outside in a kennel which he shared with another dog.

He is currently being cared for in one of their foster homes.

Due to his background, Slim Jim is on constant alert and always scanning his surroundings and will therefore need a very secure garden and will always have to be walked on a lead.

He is a handsome and friendly boy with basic manners, loves being petted and is very affectionate. He also loves being outside, running and doing zoomies.

To find out more about Slim Jim, click here.

Kass

Kass

Hass is a handsome four year old that is still full of puppy energy, joy and loves running around outside. He is a big fan of toys and playing ball games.

He does know basic manners such as sit and wait. He is a strong boy on his lead and we are working on this to get more control. His new family will need to be experienced dog owners and will need to continue to work with him. He is an intelligent boy and learns quickly. He enjoys a fuss and loves his treats.

They are looking for a family where any children are over 12 due to Kass' large size. 

They think he will probably be best in a home with no cats or other dogs although there is a possibility that he could get along with a bitch.

Click here to find out more about Kass.

Lester

Lester

Lester is a five year old German Shepard that came to Three Counties because his previous owner passed away and their partner was unable to manager Lester on their own, so he was being left alone for 8 to 9 hours a day.

He is crate trained and a very friendly boy who enjoys being outside, playing with balls and likes sunbathing and playing in a paddling pool in the summer.

Click here to find out more about Lester.

Tabitha and Oleg 

They have been with us for a long time, they are both timid and will need time and patience to build up their confidence in a home. Oleg is more inquisitive and slightly bolder, Tabitha is more timid. They enjoy each other's company and must stay together.

Libby

Libby is not keen on humans at all and would be a good farm cat, she is feral and a very good mouser.

Ida

Ida is very feral, again not keen on humans, very timid and not very active. For the right person, she would make a lovely cat after some care and attention to build trust.

Peanut and Peggy

These are another bonded pair, Peggy is more friendly than Peanut, and Peanut is very protective of Peggy and will fight other cats therefore it would be better if they were house cats or had a covered outside area. Peanut is a cat with attitude!

How else can you help?

There are lots of other dogs and cats looking for their forever home at Three Counties Rescue, as well as the ones listed above.

They always need donations to cover veterinary costs, food and maintaining the rescue centre. They also have an Amazon wish list of items they need, as well as always accepting donations of blankets and duvets with man-made fillings, which are important for this time of year.

Click here to find out about the different ways you can donate.