Abandoned pets need a festive home

ANDREA LAMBROU

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Tis the season to spread some festive cheer to abandoned animals whose only wish is to find a loving home.

The Advertiser 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 — especially around Christmas — 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.

“The animals don’t know Christmas is a special day.

“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.