THE call to help a stray dog which requires cancer preventing operations has been sounded.

Millie, a black cocker spaniel, was picked up in Kempsey with a number of wounds and in a poor state of health, and is currently residing at the Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter.

It is the shelter which is urging people to help it fund two mammary strip operations that Millie requires on her stomach, which are estimated to cost around £500 in total.

Claire Tregunna, manager of the shelter, said: "We don't know much about her. We're quite sure she was used for breeding, but was eventually used too much and has probably been a stray since.

"She has had a really tough time of it. She came to us around two weeks ago with bite marks on her neck and a number of other nasty wounds.

"She is healing well but needs these operations. We desperately need help in raising the funds for them, we are a charity ourselves and can't really afford to fund it all. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated."

Millie has one of the operations scheduled for this Wednesday.

The shelter, in Newland, near Malvern, is also urging someone to offer Millie a foster home, so she can recover with home comforts after the operations. Millie will also be spayed and wormed when she is given to a foster home.

Miss Tregunna said: "We provide excellent care here for dogs, but it would be ideal for her to go somewhere that's very quiet and she can enjoy some home comforts while she gets better.

"She has had a tough time and really needs people's help. She's a lovely dog and deserves to have some good luck now."

To make a donation for Millie's operation, or to find out more about fostering her, call the shelter on 01905 831 651.