While we're tucking into our Christmas dinners, opening presents and spending time with our families, how exactly do animals in rehoming centres spend Christmas day?

The dogs still need their much-enjoyed walks along the River Orwell, the cats still want to socialise with the volunteers and the rabbits still like to munch on their meals of broccoli and carrots.

East Anglian Daily Times: Seven-year-old Bumble has been at the Blue Cross centre since March.Seven-year-old Bumble has been at the Blue Cross centre since March. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

At Suffolk's Blue Cross animal rehoming centre, their team of staff and volunteers work extra hard to ensure that every animal under their care knows it's Christmas.

East Anglian Daily Times: Rocky the rabbit lives with his best friend Saber at the Blue Cross centre.Rocky the rabbit lives with his best friend Saber at the Blue Cross centre. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

"Bank holidays don't mean anything here," says Blue Cross operations supervisor Jennie Page.

East Anglian Daily Times: Blue Cross operations supervisor Jennie Page.Blue Cross operations supervisor Jennie Page. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

"Our main goal is to get our animals into a home but, if they end up spending the winter period with us, we'll make sure they have the best Christmas possible."

They run the centre with just their core staff on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years' Day so that the focus is "purely on the animals".

East Anglian Daily Times: The Blue Cross animal rehoming centre in Wherstead, Ipswich.The Blue Cross animal rehoming centre in Wherstead, Ipswich. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

On Christmas Eve, they each receive a stocking outside their pens, filled with treats and toys donated by members of the public from their Amazon Wishlist.

One particularly special dog, 16-month-old crossbreed Patrick from Cyprus, is football mad and has got his paws crossed for a new football from Santa Paws.

East Anglian Daily Times: Crossbreed Patrick is hoping for a new football from Santa Paws.Crossbreed Patrick is hoping for a new football from Santa Paws. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Patrick has a neurological disorder which makes him a little wobbly on his legs but, with the help of a little squeezy cheese, will be your best friend for life.

Some volunteers also bring in homemade Christmas dinners for the pets and, while the dogs make quick work of the meal, Mrs Page says "cats can be a little fussier" and prefer a few prawns instead.

East Anglian Daily Times: 15-year-old Smudge has been at the Blue Cross centre since November this year.15-year-old Smudge has been at the Blue Cross centre since November this year. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

Over the past few months, the Blue Cross centre in Ipswich has experienced an influx of rabbits, which they say may be due to children going back to school after lockdown and their pets "falling out of favour".

East Anglian Daily Times: Christmas bunny Noella is one of the newest additions to the Blue Cross centre.Christmas bunny Noella is one of the newest additions to the Blue Cross centre. (Image: Dolly Carter, Newsquest)

They also recently received six mice which have seasonally been named Sprout, Parsnip, Turkey, Gravy, Potato and Stuffing and are now staying in a foster home.

East Anglian Daily Times: Their six mice named Sprout, Parsnip, Turkey, Gravy, Potato and Stuffing are now staying in a foster home.Their six mice named Sprout, Parsnip, Turkey, Gravy, Potato and Stuffing are now staying in a foster home. (Image: Blue Cross)

Mrs Page emphasised that the Blue Cross don't stop rehoming over the Christmas period, as they think it's a good time for families to help a new pet settle in, adding: "We always make sure they go to the right home with the right people."