Nine ex-racing greyhounds have arrived at a dogs and cats home and staff say they urgently need help to rehome them.

Gables Dogs & Cats Home in Plymouth takes in nearly 1,000 unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats every year.

With 76 cat pens and 71 dog kennels to heat, it said rising energy costs pushed their winter bills to more than £15,000, so it asked for donations and potential pet owners to come forward.

General manager Claire Sparkes said: “Each of our greyhounds has their own unique personality and are now looking for their forever home.”

She said greyhounds did not need a lot of physical activity.

“Despite what people may assume, they don’t actually need much exercise, just a quick run and then they are happy to laze about like couch potatoes all day,” she said.