One of Swindon's best known animal rescue services has announced that the cost of living crisis means it will have to shut down. 

SNDogs has been responsible for helping hundreds of dogs find loving homes over the the past decade. 

But an increase in costs across the board, including fuel, heating and electricity, dwindling donations and fewer people prepared to foster and adopt has led to an out-of-the-blue announcement that operations will cease.

"After 10 wonderful years SNDogs is closing its doors for good. We don't want to dwell on any sadness but instead be proud that in the last 10 years we have achieved so much and this wouldn't have been possible without the help of our wonderful team of unpaid volunteers," it said.

"Thank you to everyone who ever helped in any way no matter how small or how big."

In June the charity made a desperate plea for more foster homes to come forward. The call for help was repeared at the beginning of this month. 

Co-founder and trustee Jessie Bascombe explained: "We feel that the hike in gas, electric and petrol prices has meant people have to work more so can't foster or adopt. And because they have had to tighten the purse strings they are not donating.”

She said that in the last five years the animal rescue helped to rehome over 150 dogs a year. All the dogs currently at SNDogs have all either been found homes or have another rescue lined up to take them in.

“The trustees and I would like to thank everyone who has ever helped us,” she said.

“Our volunteers have worked so hard, especially over the last three tears. We would also like to thank Vets Klinic for all their help and support.

“I don’t like to feel sad we are closing our doors; I like to think we have made a massive difference in the last 10 years.”

The announcement has been met with a mix of dismay and gratitude from people in the town. Some are upset at the loss of a crcial service and others, often sharing pictures of their beloved dogs, are thankful at the opportunity afforded to them by the organisation.