A dog charity has been forced to deny it bends its rules for celebrities after Stacey Solomon showed off her new rescue pup online.
Adorable pooch Teddy joined Solomon and her family, including their dachshund Peanut, earlier this week, with the Loose Women star revealing she’d got the dog from charity ProDogsDirect.
The family were left heartbroken late last month when their beloved dog Theo died at the age of 11.
Solomon shared snaps of the cute new arrival to her Instagram last week, writing: "Last night we rescued a dog. But today I’m not sure who has rescued who. We miss you so much Theo.
"I hope you’re looking down from heaven smiling, knowing that Peanut will no longer be so very lonely and that a doggy who really needed a family now has one."
However, not everyone was happy with Solomon’s new pet, with one follower writing: "I'd love to know how you do this. I had to go and get a puppy as no rescue would let me have a dog due to having a baby.
"It's ridiculous that so-called normal people can't rescue but famous people can and it doesn't matter about the circumstances."
While another said: "I went to the dog rescue a few weeks ago and they told us anyone with children under six aren't allowed to have a rescue dog?"
Now ProDogsDirect has been forced to defend the adoption and stressed that celebrities are not given special treatment.
In a statement shared on social media, the charity said: "We treat each dog as an individual - lots of our dogs, sadly the majority, cannot be homed with young children because of their past or lack of information about their past.
"This lad is great with children, he has a fab temperament and is now in a great home.
"We know that it is difficult when you have children, and we wish all of our dogs could be homed with children. They can't but those that can we will state and home with children if it is the right home for the dog.
"Each dog is individual and each of our applicants are too. Please be kind we are all wanting the same thing and that is to see all animals safe and loved."
They post went on: "Yes her home was vetted, and no she did not adopt a dog in 24 hours.
"It is so very sad that the minority cannot be happy that a rescue dog has found a great home where he will be loved and looked after - we couldn't be happier for Teddy and his new family.
"Please be happy and be kind and if you cannot then please be quiet - Thank you to all who are happy for Teddy."
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Stacey Solomon
Claire Reid