by Katie Lamborn

Our pets have become the latest victims of the recession.

With purse strings tighter than ever before, many of us are giving up our much-loved pets.

Billy Thompson, who runs The Retreat in Crockenhill, said he has taken on horses, sheep, pigs, cats, birds and many dogs in the past month alone.

He said: "A lot of animals have been left recently. Last week I had four baskets of puppies - they were probably from a breeder who couldn't sell them."

Billy has issued some advice for pet owners to help them with their quandary.

For more, watch the video above.

• For more information about The Retreat , visit TheRetreat website