Nintendo have teamed up with UK charity Dogs Trust to raise awareness of the time and commitment needed to raise a dog.

With the European launch of Nintendogs creeping up Nintendo are eager to promote the game, and have chosen to work with Dogs Trust to not only raise awareness of the game, but also the great work that Dogs Trust does to help every dog they can.

With thousands of gamers preparing to look after a virtual "man's best friend" soon Dogs Trust and Nintendo wish to inform everyone that looking after a real dog is not an easy job, and should be taken seriously. Every year hundreds of dogs are abandoned or mistreated simply because an owner has grown tired of looking after it and Dogs Trust are working towards caring for these dogs.

Dogs Trust's famous slogan, "A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas", summarises their views and Nintendo are trying to help them in their mission to ensure every dog leads a happy life. Nintendo hopes that by taking care of a virtual dog potential owners will see that its not all throwing Frisbees in the park, and it does take a lot of work.

Adrian Burder, Dogs Trust Marketing Director, said: "Dogs Trust is pleased to be associated with 'nintendogs'. The philosophy behind the game has a lot in common with our own aims of ensuring that every dog is a happy and loved pet. Despite the fame of our A Dog is For Life slogan, thousands of dogs are still abandoned and unwanted every year, so it's great that there's a game that is not only fun to play, but supports the message that responsible dog ownership means more than giving your dog an occasional stroke."

To help Dogs Trust you can visit their official website and sponsor a dog.