AS a staunch supporter of St Giles Animal Welfare I feel honoured to be able to represent them by writing this weekly column. Each week it will feature one of the dear souls in their care, eagerly waiting for a forever home.

First, a little about St Giles – they are located at Wrantage and work tirelessly to rescue abused, abandoned and stray cats and dogs.

Director Jack Linnell took over from his parents in 2019. Vanessa and Bill had the centre for 10 years prior to Jack. They remain actively involved in the centre, and foster dogs eagerly waiting for forever homes.

The centre depends on its dedicated staff and volunteers, without whom it could not function.

There are 55 dogs and cats currently in their care and the numbers remain pretty consistent. Centres like St Giles are seeing one of the worst situations of animal abandonment in recent years, and sadly an increase in animal cruelty.

Over the coming weeks I will give more detail of their hard work in caring for these animals.

It will be hard to choose one dog or cat each week out of so many. We are so very grateful to our Somerset County Gazette for allowing an animal in need this opportunity to find its forever home.

This week we have Apollo - Apollo is a Mastiff, thought to be about six years old. He arrived at the centre as a stray. It is thought that he has lived in a home at some stage in his life, as he is very well mannered.

He loves zooming around the paddock and loves a stroke and fuss. Although wary around new people initially, it does not take him long to warm to them with the help of a sliver of sausage.

Apollo is finding the kennel environment overwhelming and needs a loving ‘big breed’ experienced family to spoil him. He is a gentle giant and could live with children of 7+. Ideally he would like to be the only doggie in the house.

Could you give Apollo his forever home ?

To show your interest in this handsome boy please complete an application form on the St Giles Adoption website, where you can also get more information about Apollo.