A full dominatrix set, a china doll with a lock of human hair glued under its clothes, a mummified cat, loose teeth with the roots still attached and 40 life-sized plastic pigeons are just some of the strange donations made to Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity.

Other donations include a parcel containing one woman’s engagement ring, wedding photo album and divorce certificate.

According to Shelter Scotland, which runs a network of over 30 shops nationwide, weird and wonderful donations are frequently made by members of the public.

Donations recently received by Shelter Scotland shops include:

Other strange items include a pair of used dentures, complete with an open tube of Fixodent gel.

Alison Watson, deputy director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Our supporters have donated some wonderful items over the years that have raised funds for our vital work.

“There are times however when we open the donations sacks and are left flabbergasted by what we find. My personal favourite was the china doll as it had obviously been someone’s treasured possession before it was donated to us, as was the mummified cat.

“We welcome all donations – within reason - and some of the more interesting items are certainly conversation starters with our customers. We’re sometimes pleasantly surprised by what some people actually buy.

“Whatever the donation, every penny we raise through our shops goes towards our fight to end homelessness and ensure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.”

Alison Watson added: “While some of the weird and wonderful donations might raise a laugh, Scotland’s housing crisis is no laughing matter. Today in Scotland 150,000 households are on waiting lists for a home and over 35,000 people made homelessness applications in the last year alone. We are counting on the public to support us so that we can carry on with our vital work.

“It costs just £10 for one of our expert advisors to help a family or individual at risk of losing their home – we can raise that money by selling an unwanted dress or pair of shoes, but sadly not a mummified cat which did not sell.”

Along with the more unusual items, Shelter Scotland has received generous donations including £21,000 worth of designer dresses to its Dundee shop last month, £5,000 worth of men’s designer clothes which were donated in Aberdeen in January and a vintage Rolex watch which was valued at over £7,000 after being donated in a black bin bag in Edinburgh, in amongst brick-a-brac items.

Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges also donated the suit he wore to his first gig at the SECC – complete with handwritten notes and one-liners hidden in the inside jacket pocket.

The charity, which urgently needs volunteers to help raise vital funds through its shops, has compiled a list of what to and what not to donate.

Shelter Scotland: Dos and Don’ts of donating to charity

We want:

We don’t want: