These two 15-week-old puppies were found abandoned in West Molesey just a week after Christmas.

The timid lurcher pups, Jimmy and Lola, were put in kennels by the agency working on behalf of Elmbridge Council to look after stray dogs.

Jimmy and Lola were lucky and found homes quickly, but many others, such as deerhound Sarah Jane, who was picked up with her two puppies in Portsmouth Road, Esher, in October, are still waiting for loving homes.

The council has responsibility for caring for stray dogs, to prevent accidents and keep the public and the dogs safe.

Dogs like Jimmy and Lola are picked up day or night and are housed, fed and given medical treatment if needed.

In December 2012 alone, 11 dogs were picked up, with nine placed in kennels before their owner came forward.

If a dog’s owner does not come forward, much like in the story of Jimmy and Lola, every effort is made to find them a new home.

Councillor Glenn Dearlove: “We do everything we can to take care of a stray dog. First of all we check to see if it’s microchipped so it can be returned directly to its owner.

“Most of the time a dog has just run off at the park or got out of its home, so please be sure your garden and home are secure and that your dog is chipped or has a collar so it can be returned quickly and is less distressing and costly.”