But a survey of 182 People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) shops has uncovered a top ten list of the most peculiar donations staff and volunteers have received from the animal-loving public.

Top of the poll was a kitchen sink - complete with taps - followed by iron window bars donated from a police station.

Next weirdest were a gas mask, a samurai sword, some false teeth, glass eyes, a book about piles, and a blow-up doll.

A voodoo doll in a coffin (with pins) and a set of nipple tassels were considered ninth and tenth most peculiar.

David Facer, PDSA Head of Retail, said: "PDSA relies on the generosity of the public for donations - the majority of which are sold to help the charity provide free veterinary treatment for sick and injured pets.

"You never can tell what treasures you might stumble across in a PDSA shop!"

Other novel items include replica handguns, a stethoscope, a sausage in a pair of trousers, a bag of straw complete with rabbit droppings.

Objects donated that you definitely wouldn't want to re-use include rubber underwear, handcuffs, whips, blow-up dolls, and rabbits ... of the non-furry variety.

And one shop in the West Midlands had a whole zoo of animal-themed men's thongs.

Maybe Peter Stringfellow was clearing his knicker-drawer.

While another store in Diss, East Anglia, was given four instruction books on how to grow marijuana.

Maybe Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was clearing her bookshelf.