BEAUTY, a five-year-old Labrador, is a beautiful friendly dog but when her owner died, the family couldn't cope with her anymore.

She is now just one of 16 dogs staying at Newport City Dogs Home, in Stephenson Street, looking for a new family.

“She hasn’t caused any problems at all,” said Claire Haett, a kennel assistant who has worked in the centre for 17 years.

“The only thing is she has had too many treats so she is a little bit overweight.

“She will need to go on a diet and get plenty of walks.”

Even though Beauty was handed in, the vast majority of dogs in the centre are stray. They patrol the streets of Newport and bring any stray dogs they find to the centre.

Their job is to make sure that no dog is left in the streets as they may cause an accident.

“Their owners then have a week to come and pick them up – they need to pay a fine and a fee to collect them,” said Lindsay Horth, principal trading standards officer at Newport council.

The vast majority of the dogs go back to their owners. However, a minority of them need to be re-homed.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Trudy is another dog who needs re-homing. She is a very friendly dog that loves playing.

“She absolutely loves the ball,” said Ms Haett. “She is also great with recall and enjoys walking with other dogs.

“A woman who has an 18-year-old staffy is coming to see Trudy next week. She will bring her dog to see how they get on.

“Hopefully, the lady will take her on. But, if not, I think Trudy would be good for a family with young children.”

The Newport council-run dogs’ home has 16 kennels and, unless they already arrive together, each dog has its own room.

“It’s really important that each dog has its own space,” said Ms Horth. “At the moment we are completely full. And we have been for about six weeks.

“So, if you are considering getting a dog, please come and have a chat with us.

“We follow a procedure to make sure that the dogs go to the right home for them. For instance, we will have a look at the house.

“We try to match the person with the right dog and we are very good at it.”

The staff at the centre agree one of their favourite parts of the job are the success stories. “And we have so many of them,” said Ms Horth. “I love it when re-homed dogs come and pay us a visit.”

At the centre, which opened in 1992, the dogs are fed and watered twice a days. If they don’t have a name, they will give them one.

“We go through stages; a few weeks ago, we had the whole of Wales football team here,” Ms Haett said. “I was feeding Bale and walking Ledley.

“We have also had Eastenders and Coronation Street characters.”

A team of volunteers are in charge of walking the dogs. Twenty-nine-year-old Katie Morrison, from Somerton, is one of them.

She first went to the dogs’ home on work experience and now goes to the centre nearly every day.

She said: “I love it here and come as much as I can. I love it so much I decided to work less hours and volunteer here more regularly.

“I enjoy helping the dogs and taking them for walks.

“I’m just a dog lover. I’ve two dogs at home, a Chihuahua and a mixed breed.”

One of Ms Morrison’s favourite dogs at the moment is Suzie, a two-year-old black and white collie.

“Suzie is a really clingy dog,” said Ms Morrison. “She really likes to be with you.

“She doesn’t really like toys, but she loves to play with other dogs. She’s very sociable so she would be good for a family with young children.”

The centre is looking for a home for another collie, Alfie. He’s 12 years old and was a stray dog.

“He is quite timid, but he enjoys walking with other dogs,” said Ms Haett. “He’s friendly and good with people.

“He doesn’t play with balls though, so he would be good for a family with older children. Teenagers, for example.”

The rehoming provision of Newport City Dogs Home is supported by Four Paws Animal Rescue, Friends of the Dogs Wales and Summerhill Veterinary Centre. Together, they ensure the dogs are well looked after and rehomed.

Four Paws is a small independent charity that tries to help any animal in need, especially those which are unwanted or in danger.

Friends of the Dogs Wales aims to improve the welfare, well-being and rehoming of stray and abandoned dogs in South Wales.

It makes regular visits to Newport City Dogs Home, showcasing animals on its social media pages and supporting the home through fundraising, activities and regular walks.

In some cases, the charities arrange foster homes or placements for dogs where they can be cared for an assessed.

Summerhill Veterinary Centre is a local practice that provides health checks, vaccinations and any care needed for unwell dogs.

Cllr Bob Poole, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for regulatory functions, said: “The council’s dogs home has been doing a sterling job for many years, caring for dogs that have strayed from home or, sadly, have been abandoned.

“Where it is not possible to reunite a dog with its owners, staff at the kennels will take good care of it until a loving and responsible new home can be found. It now has a new name, but Newport City Dogs Home will continue that important work with the welcome support of Four Paws and Friends of the Dogs (Wales).”

Anyone who thinks they can offer a new loving home for a dog or would like to volunteer to help at the kennels can visit newport.gov.uk/newportdogshome

For information about Four Paws visit fourpawsanimalrescue.org and for Friends of the Dogs (Wales) see friendsofthedogs.org