Fears are growing there could be more abandoned and stray dogs on Kent streets in 2009 as a result of the credit crunch.

The Dog’s Trust has predicted 100,000 dogs will be left homeless nationally this year.

Last year 7,544 dogs were abandoned in Kent alone, either as rescued strays or handed in to re-homing centres.

The trust confirmed between Christmas and New Year more than a dog a day was handed in at their 32 centres across Britain.

Chief Executive of the Dog’s Trust, Clarissa Baldwin, said: “All of us are feeling it's not going to be a particularly brilliant year for dogs.

“When I see these dogs handed in I feel horrified. The situation is severe. We are known as a nation of dog lovers, but you do begin to wonder sometimes.

“One re-homing centre reported to us a Labrador puppy was taken into them on Christmas morning. Someone went out and bought that expensive dog without any thought about the dog’s future. They forget they are a sentient being.”

In response to the prediction the Association of Dogs' and Cats' Homes is launching the Pedigree Adoption Drive. It aims to increase the public’s awareness of dog abandonment and to raise funds to help rescue centres and charities across the UK re-home dogs.

The Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre in Edenbridge rescued around 30 dogs over the Christmas period – more than two a day.

Trustee Avis Hakes said: “The numbers have gone up considerably in recent months. More and more people are saying they cannot afford a dog because they have lost their jobs or are having to work longer hours.

“We are restricted as to the number of dogs we can take on, which means we have to turn down more and more. We just have to take the life and death cases where if we don’t take them they will be put to sleep.

“It is particularly hard when a dog has been in a family for a long time and they do not understand why they are being put in a kennel.”