10 SSPCA APPEAL Overrun with pets
Andrea O’Neill Lanarkshire’s animal rescue and rehoming centre had a heartbreaking 170 abandoned animals in their care on Christmas Day.
I t was b u s i n e s s a s u s u a l f o r the dedicated staff at the Scottish SPCA charity’s centre in Hamilton – which is open to the public all year round – making sure no animal in t heir care spent Christmas Day alone.
Centre manager Peter Fleming said: “It’s a heartbreaking reality that there are lots of pets without loving homes to call their own this Christmas time.
“H o w e v e r, t h a n k s t o o u r d e d i c a t e d s t a f f we e v e n made sure they all got a little treat from Santa.
“The animals here are relying on us as they don’t have anywhere else to go, so it’s simply not an option for us to close over the holidays.
“We ’ l l b e h e r e for them throughout the holidays, including New Year’s day, ensuring they’re fed, watered and exercised every day as usual.”
The a ni mal welf a re c har i t y ’s i n s p e c t o r s a n d a n i mal r e s c u e off i cers will continue t o rescue abandoned, neglected and injured animals over the festive period so need to be on-hand to take in any new arrivals and offer them a place of safety.
The centre doesn’t rehome young animals such as puppies and kittens until Januar y 3, to prevent them being taken on by someone who just wants a new pet for Christmas.
H o w e v e r, t h o s e g e n u i n e l y wishing to offer a young animal a permanent home can come along t o meet t hem a nd t hey c a n be reserved.
Peter added: “There are al s o lots of older pets in our care who are ready and waiting to find their forever homes right now.
“Locals are always welcome to pop in to our centre, whether it’s to meet an animal they’re interested in rehoming, donate food or toys for our homeless pets, or simply just to say hello.”
The Scottish SPCA’s centre, on Bothwell Road, is open from 10am4pm seven days a week.