When we see appeals in the media asking for homes for abandoned dogs they tug at our heartstrings and make us aware of the plight of unwanted pets.

However, there is a huge operation behind the re-homing and rescue of these animals, and Dog Rescue, a new series for ITV1, will give an in depth insight into the work involved in helping these animals.

Two of the UK’s busiest re-homing centres will open their doors to reveal the hard work that the staff and volunteers undertake to ensure that our four-legged friends are given the best possible chance of a new and happy life.

In the first episode we meet Jimmy, who is homeless, and his beloved dog Whitney. The Manchester Dogs Home provide food, blankets and veterinary treatment for dogs belonging to the homeless, and when Jimmy brings his much loved dog Whitney to the outreach team he is surprised to find out she is pregnant.

The team want to take Whitney into care so she can have her puppies in safety, as they may die if born on the street, but Jimmy is frightened that he won’t get her back. Jimmy disappears and with time running out the outreach team desperately search for him and Whitney.

At the Dog’s Trust Centre, actress Wendy Richard and her partner John bring their Cairn Terrier Lilly in for some training, although Wendy jokes that John is as much in need of training as Lilly.

Three abandoned puppies are brought into the Dog’s Trust Centre and given pop star names. The two female pups, Victoria and Geri soon find new homes, leaving their brother, Gary Barlow alone and looking for a new owner to love him.

As unwanted dogs arrive at the centres, sometimes in distressing and life-threatening condition, the cameras will follow their stories and those of the people caring for them.

The dedicated professionals at these centres work hard to raise funds for the centres and go into the community to educate the public on animal welfare issues.

Many of these pets have heart wrenching and upsetting histories but hopefully, with the help of the centres, they will find a loving home.

The aim in all cases is for the animal to be re-homed, which can be a trying time for the staff who can become emotionally involved with the animals in their care.

Wild at Heart star Stephen Tompkinson provides the commentary to the series.

The locations are the Manchester Dogs Home and the Dog’s Trust Centre in Uxbridge, Middlesex.

The Manchester Dog’s Home was established 114 years ago and never turns away a dog in need. They have recently opened a start of the art puppy crèche in Warrington so that pregnant dogs can give birth in comfortable and safe surroundings.

The Dog’s Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. Founded in 1891. it has always campaigned on dog welfare related issues to ensure a safe and happy future for all dogs. The Dogs Trust never destroy a healthy dog. In 2007 the Dog’s Trust re-homed 9632 dogs.

Sunday 9 March 2008 4:30pm - 5:00pm on ITV1.