Pamela Anderson helps abandoned pooches

Pamela Anderson has been walking abandoned dogs in New Orleans, some of which were left behind due to the BP oil spill.

The actress and honorary chairman of the animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said she felt sympathetic towards the plight of the dogs.

"We just thought this was one way to relieve and something to help little guys in need that may be aren't directly affected by the oil but they are.

"They aren't covered in oil but they're abandoned and they need good homes", she said.

Some animal shelters in Louisiana have reported an increase in the number of pets being brought in by people who have lost jobs because of the oil spill.

Many of the abandoned dogs will be re-homed in Virginia.