Santa with former Battersea dogs at Old Windsor.

Event will raise money for the 9,000 homeless residents the charity cares for each year

Dog owners looking for the perfect Christmas gift should look no further than Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in Old Windsor, who are inviting owners and their four-legged friends to take part in a Christmas photo shoot.

At the Berkshire rescue centre, christmassy canines and their owners will be able to cosy up with Santa Claus in his sleigh and take home a personalised photo.

The photo shoot forms part of the rescue centre's Santa Paws event, where there will be mince pies, Christmas cards and dog treats on sale to raise money for the 9,000 homeless residents the charity cares for each year.

Battersea's Old Windsor centre manager, Kaye Mughal, said: "We are so excited to welcome lots of dogs and their families to our centre to make a Christmas memory at Battersea and help raise money for the unfortunate dogs and cats that will not be spending Christmas in a loving, permanent home this year. Everyone is welcome to join us and we hope it will be a great event where pets can have their photo taken with the one and only Santa Paws."

One dog who will be spending Christmas in foster care is two-year-old Biscuit, who arrived at the centre as a stray in February 2013. On average, dogs spend just under 30 days waiting for a home, but Biscuit has now been in Battersea's care for 650 days.

Kate Mughal added: "To have waited 650 days for a new home must be very frustrating for poor Biscuit, and as its coming up to Christmas we want to make this his best Christmas yet."

The Santa Paws event takes place on Sunday, December 7 from 10.30 - 3.30pm. For more information visit www.battersea.org.uk. 

Image (C) Battersea Dogs & Cats Home