Three lucky puppies have found a forever home in time for Christmas.

Abbie, Josie and Basil, who are all just four months old, were found in wandering the streets of London in appalling conditions by rescuers back in October.

They had all lost almost all their fur, were covered in sores and dirt and had problems with their ears.

But after just a few weeks of expert care from vets, behaviourists and foster carers from Battersea Dogs Home, they began to develop into playful pups with their own unique personalities.

Once their skin had healed and their fur was going back, they were all ready to find forever homes where they could be loved and put their tragic start in life behind them.

Josie was first to find a new home with Tony Hallet to start a new life in Surrey.

The sensitive pup has since grown in confidence and loves going for long country walks with her new family.

Two days later, Abbie and Basil went off to new homes and are now much-loved members of their families.

Abbie's owner Robin Quinnell, from West Sussex said: "Abbie has settled in really well and has everyone wrapped around her paw!

"She is very cheeky but incredibly sweet and very quickly decided that her favourite spot is on the sofa. She has also bonded well with our other dog, Buddy."

Basil's new owner Lucy Farley, from Kent, said: "He's the best puppy! We've found he loves watching telly, looking at his reflection and playing with other dogs. We are so thankful for him and feel so lucky!"

Craig Perera, team leader at Battersea Dogs Home's Old Windsor Centre said: "When you look at these pups now, it's hard to believe that only a few weeks ago they were roaming the streets, unwell and unloved.

"From the moment they arrived, our staff worked around the clock to ensure Basil, Abbie and Josie had the best possible chance to grow in to healthy, happy young dogs, before finding them new homes where we knew they'd be loved.

"Now aged four months and safe and warm, everyone hopes all three puppies will celebrate many Christmases to come with families who love them.

"We'll never know exactly what led to this little family being left to fend for themselves at such a young age, but we know there's a chance they were abandoned by an owner.

"At Battersea we understand that people may have to face the incredibly difficult decision to give up a pet, and we would never judge anyone for doing so.

"We would just urge anyone no longer able to care for a pet to reach out for support from places like Battersea, rather than put a pet's wellbeing at risk by abandoning them."

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