The powers of social media are helping a dog re-homing charity find more homes for unwanted and stray pets than ever before.

Latest statistics show the South West Essex branch of the RSPCA, based at Hillside Kennels in Claverhambury Road, Waltham Abbey, found new homes for 121 dogs between the start of the year and the end of July, and the charity believes it is on track to beat the total number of 157 dogs rehomed in 2012.

Trish Smith, trustee volunteer for RSPCA Essex South West, said: “Over the last year we have been making better use of the internet to rehome the dogs that come into our care.

“We use Facebook a lot and our posts get a big number of shares among the users of the site.”

One post calling for new owners of a dog received almost 13,000 shares on Facebook, leading to the dog being re-homed.

Financial troubles are cited as the main reason why owners give up their dogs to charities like the RSPCA.

But Mrs Smith said the reach of social media meant finding potential owners is now easier than ever before, with owners have come from all over the UK including Wiltshire, Manchester, Lincolnshire and Surrey.

She said: “It is brilliant to think when I look at the previous posts of all the dogs that have been re-homed since.

“You cannot beat it, it is very rewarding and if anyone wanted to volunteer in our social media then they are welcome to get in touch.”