A MALVERN home has been found for the first dog to leave the newly-opened Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter.

Wanda, a one-year-old terrier cross who had been at the shelter in Deblins Green for just over three weeks, has been given a home by Malvern nurse and teacher Lorraine Page.

The shelter opened in March for stray and unwanted dogs after 18 years of fundraising. Its aim are to provide accommodation, medical treatment and care to all unwanted animals.

Site manager Alex Husband said they are currently caring for 15 dogs and one rabbit.

"We're certainly very pleased to see our first dog rehomed," he said.

"Lorraine came in a little while ago to look around and saw Wanda and they just hit it off. Then she brought her own dog in, a Jack Russell, and they hit it off too."

Mrs Page, who has renamed Wanda, Mia, said she has settled into her new home splendidly.

"I think if you've got room for a dog and the right environment then there's enough dogs out there needing a home," she said.

"It's something I've never done before but it's a lovely feeling to give a rescued dog a home.

"The shelter is a lovely place, really caring and they take a lot of time over rehoming the dogs."

The shelter costs around £50,000 a year to run and pay for vets, food and insurance, so fundraising events to raise money are always welcomed.

Together with funds, it also needs volunteers to help run the centre and walk the dogs.

If you would like to help, call Janet Arpad on 01905 640808.