Three adorable young puppies which were rescued in Cornwall last month are now looking for their forever homes after being found in a shocking condition.

Staff at the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) based in Hayle were left in tears once the three five-month-old puppies arrived at the centre, scared and in a very bad condition.

The puppies – two boys and one girl had long, and grimy claws, tails and legs stained from being sat in their mess and bellies building with worms, because of this, the team at NAWT decided to wear aprons, boiler suits and latex gloves to pick the pups up.

Falmouth Packet: One of the pups is brought into the NAWT centre in Hayle One of the pups is brought into the NAWT centre in Hayle (Image: The National Animal Welfare Trust)Each pup was given a new name, and with Halloween just around the corner, the team decided to affectionally name them ‘Candy’, ‘Pumpkin’, and ‘Ghost’.

Candy was first to receive a bath, whilst Pumpkin and Ghost watched on, nuzzled in the arms of two members of staff.

A spokesperson for NAWT said: “The first bath time was interesting. A lot of water, a lot of mess and a lot of relief on their faces when it was over.

“The smell was very much still there, it would take a few more baths yet, but they were cleaner than they were.

“Wrapped up in towels and shaking with nerves, I’m not too proud to say that’s when my tears started to roll.”

Falmouth Packet: Cuddles with a member of staff at The National Animal Welfare Trust Cuddles with a member of staff at The National Animal Welfare Trust (Image: The National Animal Welfare Trust)The pups then settled for the night in a kennel with two big beds, lined with blankets toys and underfloor heating to make sure they were kept warm.

Now that Candy, Ghost and Pumpkin are in safe hands at the centre, and looking for their forever home, NAWT explains the importance of animal needs, rights and more: “There is so much I could say about animal rights, needs and so much more.

“So instead, I will say what I felt on the other side of things. All the silly things that bug you in the day, running out of milk for your cereal, forgetting your lunch, the printer playing up when something like this happens, you forget about it.

“Little problems and tests throughout your day don’t matter. Three little lives need your help, and as you stand there covered in, a smell  I can’t describe, the little things that have annoyed you that you don’t even remember.

“You’d happily put yourself in this position to help these innocent lives. Seeing them happy and curled up and asleep together before you head home at the end of the day you are reminded once again of why we come to work each day and do what we do.

Falmouth Packet: Bath time! Bath time! (Image: The National Animal Welfare Trust)“On the other side of things, we want to make it clear that we don’t know what happened in their previous owner's life. We don’t know how or why things got this way, but we are here to help. We don’t judge, we are simply here to help.

“Things can get out of hand, and feel like they are running away from you, and it can be hard to know where to turn. Whether you are in the early stages of feeling like you can’t cope, or you feel things have gone too far, just reach out.”

If you have been touched by Candy, Pumpkin and Ghosts story and would like to donate to the National Animal Welfare Trust Cornwall, visit https://donate.nawt.org.uk/nawtcornwall/