An abandoned and neglected Dalmatian left tied to the gates of an RSPCA centre was one of a growing number of dogs being dumped at the clinic's door.

The three-year-old breeding bitch was discovered cold and emaciated outside the clinic in Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, last Tuesday morning.

Animal welfare coordinator Liz Sheppee told the Gazette how the dog, which is yet to be named, is 'thin as a rake', covered in sores and filth, with no muscle in her back legs.

Ms Sheppee said: "She's very underweight, although generally quite healthy. It's been very harsh for her.

"She's a really friendly and sweet dog. She needs some gentle exercise to build her muscles back up. Being in a kennel is not really the place for her, so if we found a person willing to put the time in we'd consider re-homing her now."

Earlier this year the Gazette ran a campaign to keep the floundering Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston and District RSPCA branch running.

The clinic still needs donations to stay afloat, and in the new year it will move to another building in order to sell the current one and release some cash.

But as Christmas approaches the centre has been inundated with abandoned dogs. Last week, 10 were left in the space of three days.

Ms Sheppee said: "It's been getting worse as we run up to Christmas and also with the credit crunch. I've got a woman who's bringing three dogs in tomorrow because her house is being repossessed.

"There's lots of people saying they're going to be evicted. It's diffi-cult for us because people aren't looking to take in new pets at this time of the year."

The centre has been so inundated it is now having to pay outside kennels to care for some dogs, in line with RSPCA policy to never turn an animal away.

Ms Sheppee added: "We still need all the donations we can get. On Christmas Day we will all be here clearing them out, come what may." 

* To make a donation or enquire about giving a dog a home, call 01895 833417.