LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- Meet Syria . The Border Collie is just 13 weeks old and was dumped by its owners . In the adjoining kennel eight boxer cross puppies have been similarly abandoned . Syria the border collie : One of the animals awaiting new owners at a dog re-homing center . Bruno is also waiting for a new home as the owner of the bullmastiff cross moved into a flat which does not allow pets . These are just a few of the animals currently being cared for at a re-homing center in London run by the Dogs Trust , the largest dog charity in the UK . `` Our center is now full . We have more dogs coming into the center than going out . At this time last year , we had half as many dogs , '' says manager Richard Moore . Other dog shelters and re-homing centers across the country are also at bursting point as a result of an increase in requests for re-homing and a decrease in people wanting to take on the responsibility of looking after a dog . With insurance , food , grooming and toys , a dog 's life can come with a price tag of £15,000 ( $ 22,500 ) , according to the Dogs Trust . And with millions of households tightening their belts as the credit crunch bites , some are opting give up their pets . The increase in requests for re-homing is attributed to the financial crisis . Owners either have to move to dog-unfriendly accommodation or can no longer afford to care for the animal after losing their job . `` Moving as a result of the credit crunch is the number one factor for giving up a dog , '' explains Moore . `` People also ring up to say they ca n't afford to look after their dog anymore , because they 've been made redundant . '' On top of overcrowding , animal rescue charities face another problem ; they rely on charity donations and are likely to suffer in those terms . `` The expected increase in unemployment and decrease of disposable income is going to affect the donations , '' says Moore . Another concern for dog charities is that animals are given as Christmas presents . Unfortunately some of these dogs turn up at the re-homing center in the New Year as unwanted gifts . But dark times may be a good time to start looking after a dog , says Moore : `` With the love and the care , the relationship that a dog can bring to you at a depressing time like this , is incredible . I have six dogs and certainly when coming home at night they put a smile on my face . ''
Dog re-homing centers in UK at bursting point as owners dump their pets . Economic crisis means many owners ca n't afford expense of caring for dogs . Many dogs given as Christmas presents end up with animal charities . Charity donations to animal welfare groups also likely to suffer because of crisis .