Eurovision winner Linda Martin is urging the public to consider adopting dogs instead of buying.
As the rest of us tuck into our turkeys and doze off in front of the telly, singer Linda Martin will be spending her Christmas Day caring for the dogs at the Dublin Dog Hub.
Ms Martin is the founder and owner of the Finglas-based dog sanctuary which she established last year.
"Like every business, it started off slowly, but thanks be to God, I've been working in animal welfare for years - so I've a lot of credibility in animal circles and it was easy to get references and that sort of thing," she said.
"We're growing slowly - firstly, it was only me here now we have a manager, we have an assistant manager and we’ve got fabulous volunteers."
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As the owner, Ms Martin will be overseeing the dogs' care today, and she will be treating them to scrambled eggs and smoked salmon.
"Dogs don't know it's Christmas - I have to feed them and clean them," she said.
"I have to stay here - it's my project, my Dog Hub so I will be here gladly."
This Christmas, Ms Martin has one message for Irish dog-lovers.
"If you're still thinking about buying a dog - don't," she said.
"Please come to your local refuge and pick one out that needs a home - there are so many."
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The Dublin Dog Hub operates on an appointment-only basis.
"Do contact us through the Dublin City Council, because it's not an open-gate for people to stroll in and out - it's not that sort of shelter.
"Make an appointment, come up, come in, have a cup of tea, we'll talk about the dogs."
You can keep up with the Dublin Dog Hub through their Instagram page here.
Feature image via The Dublin Dog Hub on Instagram.
