Six months ago we launched an Adopt-a-Pet section in partnership with the Blue Cross.

So far, 30 animals featured on the site have found new homes, and managers at the Blue Cross say they are delighted with the progress.

Some pets have been cruelly treated by former owners, some have been with owners who are simply unable to care for them any more and others have simply been abandoned at the gates of the Blue Cross centres in Burford and Lewknor.

But all have one thing in common - they need a loving and happy new home.

Fay Taylor, 40, and her partner Mike Dale, 48, of Spareacre Lane in Eynsham, adopted a Collie-cross called Daisy from the Lewknor centre in July.

Ms Taylor said: "I renamed her Molly because I always wanted a dog called Molly and she took to it straight away.

"She is very adventurous and extremely well behaved and I have been taking her to a dog training class each week.

"We had to take her as soon as we saw her in the centre because she had this very doleful expression and it has worked out brilliantly.

"She loves other dogs and has been camping with us already and is no problem at all."

David Sheldon, 28, of Brogden Close, Botley, adopted Sid, a 15-year-old tabby cat three weeks ago from the Burford Centre, He said: "My parents had cats so I was very used to having them around and wanted someone to come home to.

"She has settled in brilliantly but I have been careful about not letting her out during the fireworks season as I am worried they might scare her.

"The staff at the Blue Cross were great and they really advised me well. I had wanted a kitten but, because I am single and out at work all day, they advise me to have an older cat who would be more independent."

Terry and Susie Collins of Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire took Lumiere an 18-month-old Burmese cat from the Lewknor centre.

Mrs Collins is a nurse and on one occasion took Lumiere in to see an elderly patient who was missing her cats.

She also suffers a lot of pain from a gynacological problem and hoped that getting a pet might be some form of therapy for her. It has certainly worked out as she has only had to take pain killers twice since adopting Lumiere in July.

She said: "He is a bit spoiled, I suppose, as he sleeps with us at night but Icouldn't bear to see him upset when we first got him.

"Anyone thinking of getting an animal from the Blue Cross I would say 'go for it'. He has changed our life for the better."

Amelia Ayre, of the Burford Blue Cross Centre, said: "We at the Blue Cross would like to take this opportunity to thank the Oxford Mail for all their help and support in rehoming our animals here. Our adoption centre is always looking for good homes for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

"We take great care of our animals and love to see them go to nice happy new homes.

"If you would like to adopt an animal then please come up to the centre, give us a call or, of course, go to www.oxfordmail.net to see a selection of our animals."