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Thinking of getting a dog or cat as a gift this Christmas? They can be lovable companions but they鈥檙e also a major responsibility.

Every year 110,000 stray dogs are picked up, some of them having been abandoned as unwanted Christmas gifts.

And if you鈥檙e already a pet owner, there鈥檚 also potential hazards in the home to look out for this winter.

These messages are at the heart of a social media campaign by Defra to raise awareness of the need to ensure the welfare of our pets over the Christmas period.

Please pass the on to your family and friends to help our pets have as safe and happy a Christmas as the rest of us.

Photo credits: Lewis Elliott, Dogs Trust