Yelp! We need somebody... Puppies abandoned before they were born hunt for a home in the run up to Christmas

Playing among piles of gifts and cuddling up on blankets, these tiny adorable puppies are a picture of pure joy.

But behind their cute frolicking lies a sad tale – for they were abandoned before even being born.

Now their guardians at the Many Tears Animal Rescue are hoping to find them new homes for Christmas.

Their four unwanted mothers were taken in while pregnant and soon after the sanctuary found itself also looking after a litter of eight Weimaraner puppies, two litters of Cavachons (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-Bichon Frise crosses) totalling 12 puppies, and one Bichon puppy.

They are all aged about seven weeks – apart from the Bichon who is around five weeks old and named Candy.

Sylvia Van Atta, who runs the centre near Llanelli in South Wales, has issued a call for potential owners, saying: 'It might all look Ho-Ho-Ho but it's more like woe, woe, woe. 

'The market in dogs has dropped out because of the cost of living and more and more are being abandoned.

'We've been taking in twice as many dogs as usual recently. Even when the mothers are pregnant, some breeders and private owners don't want to keep them because of the cost of raising them and vets' bills – it's heartbreaking. 

'I'm praying we'll find loving new homes where they can enjoy the rest of their lives.'

The charity is currently looking after more than 400 dogs but is facing hefty bills and would welcome any financial support. Visit www.manytearsrescue.org to apply to home one of the dogs or to donate.