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This Morning today: Viewers heartbroken over dogs left at rescue centre

Some had been brought in following the death of their owners

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On This Morning today, viewers were left emotional over a group of dogs who had been left at a rescue centre.

Many Tears Animal Rescue owner Sylvia Van Atta appeared on the programme as she’s desperate to rehome some of the 56 dogs in their care.

Sylvia said it’s been a “struggle to keep going” during the coronavirus pandemic.

This Morning today
Sylvia had 15 dogs brought in after their owners sadly took their own lives (Credit: ITV)

What happened on This Morning today?

Sylvia had 15 dogs brought in after their owners sadly took their own lives.

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Sylvia said: “Right at the beginning I thought we wouldn’t be able to keep going, we haven’t got the funds to keep going so I wrote a book about how we started the rescue.

“I thought it would be a good thing to fund it and also inspire others to believe to achieve.”

This Morning dog shelter
Sylvia said it’s been a “struggle to keep going” during the coronavirus pandemic (Credit: ITV)

She continued: “Just as I thought, the dogs coming in have not been properly socialised, trained and nobody’s been there to advise and they come in with problems.

“Not all of them. A lot of them come in because people can’t finance their wellbeing and sadly there have been a lot of mental health problems, including suicides where we’ve had to have the dogs.”

Host Phillip Schofield explained: “You’ve had 15 dogs where owners have taken their own lives. Usually that would be one every three years.

“That’s a massive and tragic increase.”

This morning puppy
Little Dory is a dwarf puppy (Credit: ITV)

Which dogs are in need of a home?

Meanwhile, Sylvia also had puppies brought in who had three homes before they were 18 weeks old.

Sylvia then showed off some of the adorable dogs that are up for rehoming at the centre.

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There was a two-year-old Greyhound and an eight-week-old Cockapoo pup.

In addition, Sylvia revealed eight-week-old Boston Terrier Dory, who is a special need puppy.

She said: “She is probably a dwarf puppy, her life expectancy probably isn’t very much.”

What did viewers say?

Viewers were left in tears watching the segment.

One wrote on Twitter: “I’m in tears after your dog rehoming segment… so many unwanted dogs and then scum steal other people’s dogs for possible puppy farms.”

This is breaking my heart, I would rehome them all gorgeous doggies.

Another said: “So sad seeing the amazing rescue Many Tears on TV this morning… it just reinforces how you should always adopt and never buy dogs.”

A third added: “Seeing all those dogs & pups on #thismorning is so heartbreaking.”

If you are struggling with your mental health, contact the Samaritans online or call 116 123 from any phone for free.

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Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)