Rat
Rescue :: Pets are
for life…not just Christmas
Pets are for life…not just Christmas
A twist on the old adage, but sadly true. If you are getting
a pet for someone this Christmas – please think again. No matter
how large or small the animal may be, it is a big commitment
and one to be given careful consideration, says Kent-based small
animal rescue www.cavyrescue.co.uk
According to Stella Hulott from the rescue, the months after
Christmas for all animal rescues are sadly their busiest. She
says: "At this time, cute kittens, playful puppies, gorgeous
guineas and rewarding rodents start to grow up, needing more
food, attention and possibly even a trip to the vet. For some
people, these necessary costs become more important than the
animal itself.
"Or maybe the novelty has worn off for the child who wanted
that cute rabbit in the first place, and Bunny is left festering
in a smelly cage with little attention. While this sounds heartless,
unfortunately it does happen frequently."
In the first quarter of 2004 alone, CavyRescue took in over
120 small animals, including two baby rats dumped in a skip
on Boxing Day and nine young guinea pigs from four different
families. Says Stella "the parents had bought the guineas
for their children at Christmas and by New Years’ Day they had
lost interest in them".
Brenda Johnson from the Animal Welfare Charity who rescue and
rehome cats and dogs in the Kent area says that they took in
some 60 unwanted cats and dogs in the same period – around 25
who are still waiting to be found new, loving homes.
And these figures are just the tip of the iceberg as the pattern
repeats itself everywhere across the country, year after year,
particularly with the smaller animals who, at around £6 for
a rat and £8 a guinea pig from a pet shop, are viewed as expendable.
Stella urges: "If you are planning on getting a pet for
Christmas, please give it serious thought. You need to ask yourself
if you are prepared to pay vets bills if the animal falls ill,
and to be a responsible owner and get the dog or cat neutered
or vaccinated? And, if the pet is for a child, will you be prepared
to feed and look after the animal if you child loses interest?
"Please give getting a pet for Christmas careful thought,
so that he or she doesn’t end up on the scrap heap before the
New Years’ celebrations are even over".
Ends
About CavyRescue
CavyRescue is a small animal shelter and is run by Jason and
Stella Hulott . They rescue, rehabilitate and rehome all ‘small
furries’, specialising in rats. The aim is to not only rescue
and rehome these ‘small furries’, but to educate people on animal
healthcare and welfare.
The shelter is entirely self-funded and in its four and half
years of operation has rehomed nearly 1,300 animals via the
shelter; working with other independent rodent rescues; and
its website.
About the Animal Welfare Charity
Based throughout Kent, the AWC rescue and rehome cats and dogs,
operating with the RSPCA to offer a discounted neutering service
for cats, dogs and rabbits. Kind loving homes for our previously
abused cats and dogs are always needed.
