HUNDREDS of poorly treated dogs curled up in the caring arms of groomers who made them feel loved again.

The abandoned dogs live together at the Dream of A Safe Haven (DASH) Centre in Greece, having been rescued from across Kalamata by the home's owner.

In four days the dog groomers from Kerry Youngman's Animal Magic in Colchester, plus some of her ex trainees, groomed up to 300 animals.

Their ears were cleared of ticks, eyes treated and giving them a clean bill of health.

The eye-opening experience was more emotional than the group had imagined so they are already planning a second trip next March.

Kerry said: "It was an emotional rollercoaster. I wasn't ready for that.

"It was just surreal and yet the most wonderful place I've ever been to in my life.

"Here's all these dogs who have come off the streets, having been starved, skeletal and so cruelly treated, but yet they were coming up to us wagging their tails wanting to be our friends.

"I don't think I've cried and smiled and laughed so much - it was just an unbelievable experience."

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Eleven dogs from DASH have found new homes in England with Kerry's team, including her own three-legged Jack Russell.

She is urging other dog lovers to do the same as well as continue donating to Animal Magic.

The next time the group travel, they plan to up the dog supplies going with them.

She said: "The Greek lady who runs DASH gave up her whole life to do what she does, and relies on volunteers.

"She's my hero, and the soul of the place.

"When we told her we were rehoming some of the dogs, she was over the moon."

To fund the second trip Kerry is pooling all her tips and even has kind friends doing the same.

She added: "It's such a worthy cause and all these dogs so desperately deserve it.

"I've worked with dogs all my life so I thought I knew dogs, but I don't.

"I really expected them to be scared and even a little vicious, but they just closed their eyes and leant against you when you were grooming them.

"They just loved that human contact."

Contact Kerry on 07957771690 with any enquiries.