The 12 strays of Christmas

Abandoned pets need a new home

As the festive season draws to a close and a new decade dawns, it’s time to spread some cheer to abandoned animals whose only wish is to find a loving home.

The Reformer has teamed up with Hamilton’s animal rescue centre to bring you 12 strays of Christmas.

Heartbreakingly, these beautiful creatures have been repeatedly overlooked by visitors to the Scottish SPCA base on Bothwell Road. Some have spent more than a year patiently waiting for a place to call home.

While the animal welfare charity would never encourage impulsive rehoming they are desperate to find deserved homes for these 12 loving animals.

Scottish SPCA Lanarkshire animal rescue and rehoming centre manager, Gillian Boyle, said: “While we actively discourage giving pets as gifts, the reality is that there are still hundreds of animals in our care looking for a loving home.

“Our team work hard 365 days of the year to ensure the creatures in our centre are well taken care of and have everything they need.

“At any time of the year, we ask members of the public to consider the financial and emotional commitment of a pet, and to do your research to find out the needs of that animal.

“We want all the animals in our care to find the best home possible.

“We want to ensure that it’s forever and not just for the festive period.”

Anyone interested in any of the pets featured can call the centre on 0300 999 999 or pop in for a visit at their base on Bothwell Road, Hamilton. The opening hours are 10am-4pm.

Bruce is a handsome chap looking for a home to call his own. This one-year-old cockerel is a friendly boy and would welcome a flock of chickens to call his own. He has been homeless for six-and-a-half months.

One-year-old crossbreed Carmella is a beautiful independent girl looking for a home to call her own. Carmella has been homeless for two months.

Gryffindor is a handsome boy who came to the centre after being found as a stray and he is now searching for his new forever home. He has been homeless for a month.

Bear is a gorgeous guy looking for a new home to call his own. He is looking for a new owner experienced in ferret husbandry and will require regular human contact to continue his socialisation. He has been homeless for one-and-a-half months.

Two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Dalla is an active girl who loves to run about with her toys. She was found as a stray and has been there for six months.