The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Furry Christmas
We may be a nation of animal lovers, but rescue centres across the region continue to deal with the consequences of neglect and abuse. Ellie House spoke to people who will be working with animals on Christmas Day and found out why responsible owners are n
We meet the animal rescue centre staff who are rehabilitating animals that have experienced neglect, and find out why loving owners are needed
Come Christmas morning, there will be yelps of delight as stockings are emptied and a desperate scramble for tasty festive treats ensues. The morning will pass in a blur of walking and feeding, with a special present for every resident.
Perhaps some carrots for Dexter and extra cuddles for Doyle, who is hoping for a new home come 2018.
His gentle face is flecked with scars after he was used in the illegal activity of badger baiting, and he is one of 25 dogs bedding down for Christmas at the Scottish SPCA in Banchory.
The centre is currently full to capacity and will be closed to the public on Christmas Day.
Staff, on the other hand, will don Santa hats and continue in their daily routine of feeding, cleaning and rehabilitating animals who have experienced neglect and abuse.
Thanks to donations from the public, every single animal has its own stocking, for which they have waited patiently, and the stockings were hung up outside each kennel earlier this week.
Assistant manager Claire Tyczynska is hopeful that the new year could see some of the centre’s long-term residents finally find a new home, including Snowflake, the snake who has been in the care of the Scottish SPCA for 1,457 days.
But from December 19 to January 3, re-homing will come to a stop in a bid to prevent people from adopting animals as Christmas presents.
Staff know all too well that many pets end up back at the centre by February and see an increase in phone calls from people inquiring about puppies over the festive season.
Claire believes Christmas is the worst time of year to offer a home to any animal due to a disruption to the normal household routine, and many animals need structure following a difficult start in life.
Although the general public is becoming more educated in terms of animal care, Claire says cases of neglect, including starvation, are still a common sight for inspectors.
The kennels are currently at full capacity with 25 dogs, while the small animal unit is also full with 25 rabbits, some of which have young.
Adding to the mix 13 ferrets, reptiles, horses and one donkey, means each day passes in a whirlwind of feeding and grooming.
Sentencing for animal cruelty came under the spotlight earlier this year after a family’s two pet geckos were killed during a party.
The sickening incident saw the culprits eventually locked up and caused an outcry of calls for tougher punishments after the offenders were initially told to volunteer with animal charities.
“My biggest wish for 2018 is that some of our long-term residents find homes, but we see cases of neglect which leave us flabbergasted,” said Claire.
“My biggest wish for 2018 is that some of our long-term residents find homes, but we see cases of neglect which leave us flabbergasted”
“There are extremes in that people either spend lots of money on their pets or nothing at all.”
One such case is Pumpkin the lurcher, who was emaciated when she was rescued by the Scottish SPCA earlier this year.
She has now gained weight and is looking healthy and happy.
“She was skin and bone and you could see her bones poking through,” said Claire.
“We didn’t do anything special with Pumpkin in her rehabilitation except feed her properly.
“It was that simple, and we do find it really difficult when animals who have clearly been so terribly neglected come in.
“It’s hard not to think about it when we go home but we focus on getting them better and finding them a new home.”
Staffordshire bull terriers are the most common dog which the charity sees in its care and Claire believes the breed is completely misunderstood.
They are often associated with aggression when in reality, Staffies make wonderful family pets.
“A dog is only as bad as its owner and due to the type of people who have Staffies, they get a bad reputation which is really unfair,” said Claire.
“People take one look at a Staffie and assume it’s a dangerous dog, but Staffies are so loving and affectionate.”
Doyle is also a misunderstood dog; he has been with the charity some time due to an ongoing legal battle but is now ready to be rehomed.
A mastiff cross, Doyle was used as a working dog and Claire believes badger baiting is an increasing problem in Aberdeenshire.
Although large, Doyle has a wonderful, gentle nature and is always on the lookout for affection.
“People might look at Doyle and think he’s a really big boy who will be difficult to handle,” said Claire.
“In reality, he’s a complete dream of a dog and I don’t think we’ve even heard him bark, unlike some of our yappier residents.
“He has even been used as a foster dad for some of our pups
because he’s so wonderful and patient with younger dogs.
“Doyle requires a special diet due to kidney problems and can’t be rehomed around small animals such as cats.
“We hope the perfect owners are out there, though, as all Doyle really wants is a family.
“He’s a firm favourite with staff.” The branch is one of only two in Scotland to have stabling facilities and there are experienced equestrian staff to care for horses.
Independent rescue centres across the region are also following suit in terms of freezing re-homing over Christmas.
Iona Nicol, who runs Munlochy Animal Aid near Inverness, believes people still don’t realise the stress which pets can experience.
“We will not be re-homing any animals until the new year and this has been our policy for a long time,” she said.
“Just the other day, someone inquired about two rabbits; they wanted them as gifts for their children to open on Christmas Day.
“I have no problem with children having rabbits but Christmas Day is not the time.
“There’s lots of noise and the children are hyped up.
“That can be terrifying for small animals in particular.”
The centre is currently full and Iona says Christmas puppies are also expected.
“Two of our residents are heavily pregnant with the litters set to arrive any day now,” said Iona.
“It may sound lovely and cute, but again, people don’t consider the fact that puppies need trained and will grow up.
“By far our biggest problem this year has been animals coming into our care when their owner has died.
“We’ve just taken in a 16-year-old cat who was put out in the snow after the owner passed away.
“That’s such callous behaviour and we would really advise people to make provision for their pets.
“Regardless of how old you are, you never know when something might happen and your pet will quite literally be left out in the cold.”
To inquire about re-homing Doyle and fellow canine residents from the Scottish SPCA branch in Banchory, call 0300 099 9999 or visit https://www.scottishspca.org/rehome/our-centres/ aberdeenshire/