As the number of unwanted pets rises, a box of 5-day-old pups was discovered abandoned.

Since the beginning of the year, Dogs Trust has received about 500 requests for assistance with caring for abandoned pets, according to the organisation.

A "shocked" member of the public discovered the abandoned litter of four crossbreed puppies in his garden in Finglas, Dublin, according to the organization. He brought them to the charity's rehoming centre in Dublin, where the veterinary staff determined they were only five days old.

One of the litter, considered to be Pomeranian crossbreeds, died, but the others were re-homed and are settling in.

Following an inflow of surrendered and abandoned dogs, Dogs Trust has launched an appeal for public support.

At this age, puppies are fully reliant on their mothers. They wouldn't have lasted much longer on their own because their eyes and ears are closed and they can't potty themselves or regulate their body temperature, said Niamh Curran-Kelly, the charity's veterinary and welfare manager.

Thank goodness they arrived in time for us to provide them with the care they required, which included bottle feeding and toileting them every two hours. Sadly, despite veterinary care, the smallest of the litter died, although this is a regular occurrence with orphaned puppies."

Dogs Trusts is urging the public to sponsor a dog or "puppy playgroup" this year due to the large influx.

Such occurrences are not uncommon. The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) announced in December that it had taken in a litter of six-week-old German Shepherd pups found on the side of a road in Co Armagh. It was one of several such cases of animal abandonment recorded by the USPCA after the holiday season.

Despite countless public requests for responsible pet ownership, we are still seeing defenseless baby animals being abandoned by a busy and dangerous roadside, only days after Christmas, Colleen Tinnelly, USPCA development manager, stated at the time.

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