A LITTER of five homeless puppies are set to be the first to leave the new puppy and birthing unit at the Blue Cross Centre in Bromsgrove.

The puppies were born at the centre to two-year-old mum Minnie who was found wandering the streets as a stray, and they are now six weeks old.

The centre has found loving homes ready to take them in, and in a fortnight they will be setting out to start new lives.

The five terrier cross puppies, Diddly, Squidly, Wiggly, Tiggly and Beau, are currently living in the centre’s specially designed mum and pup area, which has large sliding windows to allow the puppies to get used to the sounds and smells of everyday life, as well as being close enough to the staff room that they don’t miss out of extra cuddles.

The puppy unit is part of the £1.8million rebuild of the centre, which is due to be fully completed by autumn.

Previously the centre had to send any pregnant dogs to other Blue Cross centres or local rescue charities to be cared for.

Neil Edwards, centre manager at Blue Cross in Bromsgrove, said: “It is great that we now have a proper space for pregnant mums and their litters. These puppies have been doing really well and we look forward to seeing them in homes of their own soon. We are grateful for all the donations we have had so far towards the rebuild of the centre. We wouldn’t be able to help as many pets as we do without support from local animal lovers.”

For more information about the pets looking for homes at the Bromsgrove Blue Cross centre or how to help the centre’s fundraising appeal, visit bluecross.org.uk, call the centre on 0300 7771460 or write to bromsgrove@bluecross.org.uk.