An abandoned dog who has previously featured in the Medway Messenger has started a new life.

Little Mavis, pictured, was found in a holdall in a car park in Medway with a note saying "Help me please".

Since being callously abandoned in Chatham, she has found a new home and a new, equally little, friend.

Mavis was discovered when a couple heard faint cries coming from inside the bag, which had been left on the roof of a car.

When they saw the handwritten plea for help, they looked inside and found the tiny, terrified dog and went to a nearby Pets at Home store in Horsted Retail Park, for help.

Assistant manager Laura Saxby promptly ran outside and took Mavis to the store’s in-house veterinary surgery, where she received treatment for the skin disease mange and a yeast infection, before being taken home for the weekend by store assistant Claire Couchman.

Mavis’s luck turned around when Lisa Inns a volunteer for the animal rescue charity Anim-Mates happened to visit the store and heard about the episode.

Lisa said: “I asked what was going to happen to Mavis.

“When I was told that they may contact a dog warden on the Monday, I offered to rescue Mavis on behalf of Anim-Mates.”

Lisa returned to the store when Claire arrived with Mavis after the weekend and quick goodbyes were said, and Mavis was taken to the Anim-Mates sanctuary to be cared for by Teresa Bloomfield, until a new home could be found.

And that’s where Mavis immediately took to Marvin, Teresa’s own small dog, and they quickly became inseparable.

The search for a new home for Mavis was abandoned when her skin condition was diagnosed as long term.

So, it seems likely she will be be staying at the sanctuary, in Ash, on its Care for Life scheme and spend the rest of her years there with Marvin.

As well as finding new homes for abandoned animals, Anim-Mates also cares for more than 100 animals who are all permanent residents.

There are cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, sheep, poultry and ponies. Most are elderly, infirm or have special care needs.

Rescued animals, including cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, are cared for in the homes of fosterers, many who live in Medway, while Anim-Mates seeks new owners for them.

• Visit www.anim-mates.org.uk