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Who Needs A Bang When A Flash Is Just As Good?

- RSPCA urges public to buy lower-noise fireworks this November - (Monday 30 October 2006)

The RSPCA is appealing to the public to buy lower-noise fireworks this Bonfire Night to help save the thousands of animals frightened of loud fireworks from fear and misery.

A shocking 82 per cent increase in calls about distressed and injured animals was recorded by the Society last year* – members of the public can help reduce this unacceptable figure by avoiding fireworks with big bangs.

It’s not surprising that the RSPCA receives so many calls about the distress fireworks cause animals – research commissioned by the Society showed that 49 per cent of dog owners questioned said their pet was frightened of loud noises. Forty-five per cent of owners reported that their dog was frightened of fireworks.

An RSPCA report  ‘Keep The Noise Down’ concludes that a noise limit of 97 decibels (dBAI) should be set for fireworks available for private use by the public. This noise level, similar to that of a car door slamming, would help reduce the distress and suffering loud fireworks cause animals.

A survey of vets showed they treated 3,639 animals for stress caused by fireworks on and around 5 November last year. The Society fears this is just the tip of the iceberg and that it could be even worse for pets and wildlife this year.

In August this year, a four-month-old puppy was killed after being so terrified by a firework that he jumped over a fence in fear and was run over.

Gozo, a New Zealand Huntaway puppy, was in his outside run in Plumpton, near Lewes, when a firework went off in a neighbouring garden. Gozo was so scared he jumped over a four-foot wall and ran off. His owner found his body later the following morning. 

The RSPCA’s acting chief veterinary adviser David McDowell said: “Thousands of animals up and down the country suffer distress or injury every year because of firework noise. Our research shows this distress could be reduced dramatically if fireworks no louder than 97 decibels were available to the public for private displays. The current legal noise limit is 120 decibels.

“Fireworks don’t have to be loud to be impressive – most people enjoy the visual display as much, if not more than, the huge bangs. We urge members of the public to buy lower-noise fireworks which are registered as category two under the British Standards mark.”

He added: “It is possible to find lower-noise fireworks in shops now, but if your store doesn’t stock them, why not complain to the manager – we need to make a big noise about keeping the noise down!” 

The RSPCA survey also showed that a massive 97 per cent of the vets who responded found that the number of firework-related cases they dealt with last year had either increased or remained the same as the previous year. This indicates that the government’s firework regulations have not helped reduce the distress loud fireworks cause animals. 

Vets found that dogs were most affected by fireworks, with 88 per cent of cases involving them. Ten per cent were cats and two per cent were horses or small animals.

Although the Society welcomed the UK Government’s firework regulations introduced last year, it was disappointed with the set noise limit of 120 decibels and continues to call for this to be reduced to 97 decibels.

To download a copy of the report, you can log on to www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks. Alternatively, you can call the RSPCA’s enquiries line on 0870 3335 999.

The RSPCA urges members of the public who feel strongly about the distress fireworks cause pets, wildlife and livestock to contact their MP and ask them to write to Consumer Affairs Minister Ian McCartney at DTI, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET. 

·        *Between Friday 4 November and Sunday 6 November 2005, 255 calls were made to the RSPCA’s cruelty hotline about animals and fireworks. During the same period in 2004, 140 calls were received.

·        RSPCA tips on caring for animals during firework displays:

1. Never let fireworks off near pets or wildlife.

2. Ensure all pets are kept indoors after dark.

3. If a dog is particularly sensitive to loud noises, ask your vet for advice.

4. Place rabbits and other outdoor pets in a garage or outbuilding.

5. Close curtains to hide flashing lights and leave a TV or radio on to mask the noise of fireworks.

      6. Build bonfires as late as possible and gently disturb the fire’s foundations at least two hours before lighting to ensure that      there are no animals inside.  Hedgehogs have a habit of crawling under bonfire stacks.

7. Make sure that pets are insured and properly identified by means of a collar and tag or preferably a microchip in case they are frightened and bolt.

Recent incidents in which dogs have attacked children

Recent incidents in which dogs have attacked children have shocked the public and made everyone aware of the danger that dogs can pose. We have all been saddened by these incidents, and our sympathies go out to those affected and to their families and friends.

Media focus has understandably turned onto the subject of dogs, particularly breeds such as Rottweilers and questions are being asked as to why they attack and what should be done.

What is needed is responsible pet ownership. Under the new Animal Welfare Act, due to become law next Spring, pet owners will have a duty of care to their animals. This increase in responsibility should lead to more dogs being looked after properly, leading to fewer problems of aggression. Neutering is recommended for pets and can also reduce aggression in male dogs.

For more than 10 years we have called for a compulsory registration scheme which would further promote and responsible ownership, and provide a national database linking dogs to owners.

The Dangerous Dogs Act goes against our belief that that the focus should be on the deed, not the breed. Rottweilers are not one of the breeds listed on the DDA and we do not think they should be - this criminalises individual breeds.  We also do not back wholesale muzzling as this goes against basic welfare needs.

All dogs have the potential to be dangerous. Powerful dogs can be trained to attack, but it is the training that should be questioned, not the type of dog. 

Dog owners should train their pets to be sociable and by doing this potentially dangerous situations can be avoided. There are various factors that can lead to aggression in dogs – if a dog is kept cooped up or chained in one place for long periods then this could breed aggression. Hot weather, noise, or change of home and owner can cause an animal to become suddenly aggressive and pack instinct can take over if two dogs or more are together. If a dog has not been socialised early in life then it is introduced to children later in life it can see them as a threat.

If dogs and children are sharing the same environment, everyone needs to be aware of the potential risk. Some dogs are wonderful with children, others might react if they are provoked.

RSPCA centres have many dogs that no longer suit their owners' lifestyles - people should think carefully about taking on any kind of dog and make sure they can look after it responsibly. 

Jonathan Silk RSPCA Regional Manager For the South and South West.

Domestic Violence Given A Face (Wednesday 23 August 2006)

A Devon dog has been chosen as the face of the RSPCA PetRetreat scheme, which helps the animal victims of domestic violence.

Staffordshire bull terrier, Petra, who now lives with her new family near Newton Abbott, was taken into the temporary care of the RSPCA as her former owner was fleeing domestic violence in Berkshire. The friendly black and white dog had to have one of her back legs removed after her former owners’ partner broke several places by repeatedly kicking her over a series of month.

PetRetreat fills the gaps left by refuges, very few of which can arrange pet fostering and most of which cannot shelter pets due to health and safety regulations and allergy concerns. Pet owners seeking refuge are usually forced to rely on the kindness of friends when it comes to looking after their pets. If friends can’t step in to take temporary care of the animals, then often a traumatic decision must be reached to give them up for rehoming or have them put to sleep.

For many , leaving home without a safe refuge for their pets is not an option, so they stay in a dangerous situation where they, and often their pets, are subjected to recurring threats and violence. However, pets taken in under the RSPCA PetRetreat scheme will be offered temporary homes with a network of specially selected fosterers until the victim relocates from the refuge. 

Due to the confidential nature of the scheme, it is impossible to name or identify clients that have used the scheme in order to fundraise or appeal for fosterers. So in order to give the scheme an identity. Petra will now become its face and logo and serve as a reminder that with help, their can he a happy ending for animal victims of domestic violence.

Carolyn Southwell, the RSPCA PetRetreat co-ordinator said: “It is common for animals involved in the scheme to be fostered for anything from a few weeks to eight or nine months.

“But when Petra was taken in under and fostered under the PetRetreat scheme it soon became apparent that her owner was going to have an unusually long wait before she and her children could be re-housed.

“For that reason, her owner took the selfless decision that it would be fairer on Petra if she signed the dog over to the RSPCA so she could be found a loving new home.”

The PetRetreat scheme, formerly known as ‘Petsafe’, started in June 2002 as a pilot project working with refuges in Somerset, Bristol and Bath. It has since grown to cover the whole of the South and South West and is due to spread into Wales and the West.

In order to help as many people as possible, more animal fosterers are desperately needed to help care for animals that go through the scheme, like Petra.

Moggies Without Micochips Found Hitchhiking Friday 11 August 2006 

The RSPCA is trying to trace the owners of two felines with a taste for travel. One was found hiding in the engine of a car, the other a kitten who fell from underneath a vehicle.

In the first incident a a Plymouth man discovered a black domestic shorthaired cat hiding inside the bonnet of his car inside when he parked outside his Smeaton Square home at about 10.30pm on the evening of Tuesday 8 August.

The man had driven a long distance that day starting from Bar End Road in Winchester and finishing in Plymouth. On route he has stopped at Silk Mills Road, Taunton, near Sowton in Exeter, outside the new Asda store Newton Abbott, at Tigley in Totnes and somewhere in Ivybridge as well as Beaumont Street in Plymouth.

The friendly female cat could have climbed into the engine in any of those places.

RSPCA animal collection officer, Simon Kite, who was tasked to collect the cat, believes she was incredibly lucky to have survived her ordeal.

Simon said: “The car owner heard a noise and when he opened the bonnet off his car to see what it was, the cat came out. She has obviously been hiding in a space in the engine and apart from a little oil on her coat, and being very scared, she was none the worse for wear.

“She is a very sweet and friendly cat, but it is a shame that her owners did not have her micro-chipped. If she has been, we could have traced her owners and would have been able to reunite them with their pet in a matter of hours. 

“Without the permanent form of identification that a microchip offers, there is a strong possibility that we may never find out who she belongs to and where she came from.”

The cat, who has been named Halloumi by RSPCA staff, is currently being cared for at the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter, at Blackhat Lane, Exeter. 

The RSPCA is also appealing for information to discover how a kitten came to fall from underneath on a car being driven down the A39 at Bude in Cornwall on Thursday 20 July.

A member of the public was forced to slam on the breaks after they saw a kitten rolling out towards them from the underside of a car in front of them near Mele Road.

RSPCA Appeal For Information After Dog Is Found In WSM Street. (Wednesday 2 August 2006)

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a terrier with a bad skin condition was abandoned in Weston Super Mare.

The female black and white Jack Russell sized dog was discovered tied to a lamp post in Tavistock Road, Weston Super Mare at about 8.30am on Monday (31 July). It is not known how long she had been there.

The little terrier dog had been chewing her tail, due to the irritating flea allergy she was suffering from - which had left her with significant hair loss over most of her back. It was also apparent from the bald area and pattern on her head that her owners had previously kept her muzzled for a considerable amount of time, probably in a bid to stop to biting her own skin due to the discomfort.

The dog tied to the lamppost by a yellow lead and purple collar but she did not have an identification tag and was not micro-chipped.

 RSPCA inspector John Norman, who is investigating, said: ”This friendly little dog’s owners were obviously aware how bad her skin was, but instead of seeking veterinary attention they appear to have ignored the problem and kept her muzzled. It must have felt like torture to her as her skin was itchy and sore from lack of treatment and she could not bite or lick it try and distract herself from the pain.

 “She had also recently being chewing her tail, which was raw, as the a result of living with a painful and irritating skin condition, which could so easily have been treated.

 “There is absolutely no excuse for abandoning an animal in this way. if people have pets which need veterinary treatment, or which they can no longer look after, help is available from a number of animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA.”

The dog is now in the care of the RSPCA North Somerset Branch.

It is illegal to abandon an animal in a manner likely to cause suffering. Anyone with information about this dog or who she belongs to is urged to contact the RSPCA 24 hour cruelty and information line on 08705 555 999 and leave a message for inspector John Norman. Calls will be treated in confidence.

RSPCA Warns Of Ragwort Danger (Wednesday 2 August 2006)

With the exceptionally good weather and lack of rain in many parts of England and Wales, the RSPCA wants to remind horse and livestock owners of the dangers of ragwort. 

The dry weather has resulted in a shortage of grass and horses and cattle may feed on whatever weeds are in their fields such as ragwort, otherwise known as ‘yellow peril’.  There is also a greater risk of animals eating this highly toxic weed towards the end of summer as pastures die out or when it is mistakenly dried in hay.

The RSPCA in the South and South West has already received a significant number of complaints about horses been kept in fields containing ragwort.

In July alone, such complaints were received about:  Lower Earley and Woodley, in Reading, Winterbourne and Westerleigh in Bristol, Godalming in Surrey, Wokingham in Berkshire and several areas in and around Southampton as well as Watchet, Wincanton and Chard in Somerset, and St Austell and Par in Cornwall, Blandford Forum in Dorset, Chippenham in Wiltshire, Wilton and Burcombe in Salisbury, Alton in Hampshire and Tiverton and Exeter in Devon.

This tall yellow-flowering weed causes irreversible damage to the liver, resulting in an extremely painful death for horses and livestock. Animals may lose weight and condition, suffer depression, loss of appetite, constipation, sunburn and jaundice.   In many cases, it can be fatal.

RSPCA superintendent for the South and South West region, John Tresidder said: “With the exceptionally hot and dry summer we have noticed that there seems to be even more ragwort about this year than normal.

“Ragwort is a perennial weed and it needs to be dealt with every year so we are urging landowners to rid their fields and verges of this plant.  Getting rid of this weed is the only effective way of preventing animals becoming ill and, in the worst cases, death.”

“Ideally the plant should not be allowed to seed, as each plant can produce thousands of seeds.  It is irresponsible of animal owners to allow it to grow in their fields due to the life-threatening dangers it poses,” continued Tresidder.

Ragwort is registered as injurious under the Weeds Act of 1959, putting the responsibility onto landowners to control the weed, and making it an offence to fail to comply with clearance notices.  It is also suspected to be harmful to humans so anyone handling it should wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.

For further information please contact regional press officer, Jo Barr on 0870 7538104.

Hedgehog Family Bludgeoned To Death In Exeter Street

Wednesday 2 August 2006

 THE RSPCA is appealing for information in a bid to trace the owner of a hammer used to bludgeon a female hedgehog and her baby to death in Exeter.

 A member of the public discovered the dead animals lying next to the hammer under a tree, on a grass verge at Lloyd Crescent in Exeter – at about 8am this morning (Tuesday 2 August) and alerted the RSPCA.

 Both hedgehogs had suffered severe head injuries and appear to have been killed in the same way - with blows from a hammer.

 Now the RSPCA is appealing for information in a bid to discover who was responsible for this brutal and cowardly attack.

 RSPCA inspector Pete Barton, who is investigating, said: "We are going to have a post-mortem carried out so we can be certain of the exact cause of death. But it appears as thought both the adult hedgehog and her baby were bludgeoned to death with a hammer, which was left on the ground beside them.

 "At this stage we have no idea who is responsible for this incident but are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."

 "The bodies were found in a busy residential area and we are hoping that somebody will have information about this incident, or perhaps even recognise the hammer as belonging to someone they know."

 Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 08705 555999 and leave a message for inspector Pete Barton. Calls are treated in confidence.

Dog Dies In Hot Car In Wiltshire (Thursday 20 July 2006)

One dog has died and another collapsed after being left in a car in Wiltshire.

RSPCA officials are looking into the case of a Newfoundland who was found dead after being left in the boot of a holidaymaker’s car parked in Swindon yesterday afternoon.

The dog’s companion, also a Newfoundland had collapsed and was in need of veterinary attention.

This is the third dog to have died in England and Wales this month as temperatures continue to soar

The incidents were among 852 calls received by the RSPCA between 1 July and 18 July  reporting dogs left in cars, and also on balconies, in gardens, sheds and other areas without cover or water.

In fact, there have already been more reports of hot dogs this year that in the whole of 2005, and more so far this July and in the whole of July 2005.

David McDowell added: “Even when the weather gets a bit cooler and it clouds over, cars are still dangerous for dogs during the summer, so please, don’t shut them in.”

·    On a warm day the temperature inside a car can quickly soar to 49°C/120°F or even higher.

·    If an animal in a car is panting for breath it may be on its way to suffering heatstroke.

·    Heatstroke can kill an animal very quickly.

·    Even if you park your car in the shade, the position of the sun will change.

·    Leaving windows open or putting a bowl of water in the car does not help.

·    If a dog becomes overheated, give it a shower immediately or bathe it in cool water. Call a vet as soon as possible, as once the dog goes into shock and loses consciousness it may be too late.

·    Owners who put animals at risk in this way could face prosecution.

·    Dogs should be exercised when the sun is less strong – eg early in the morning

Animals can also suffer from sunburn, particularly white dogs and cats. Owners should cover any white extremities, especially ear tips, with the highest possible factor sun cream at least once a day and before the animal goes outside.

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act faces up to a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison. Owners can also be banned from keeping animals, possibly for life.

NEW HOMES FOR GEESE & PIGEONS WANTED

Anyone interested should call the West Hatch Wildlife Centre on

0300 123 0721 and ask for Emma or Rachael.

Devon Foster Homes Sought For Four Legged Victims Of Domestic Violence

 Friday June 2006

The RSPCA is appealing for a temporary foster home for a pair of small dogs being cared for by the RSPCA as a result of domestic violence.

The Jack Russell and Jack Russell cross female friends are in need of somebody to foster them on a temporary basis as part of RSPCA Pet Retreat scheme.

Formerly known as ‘Petsafe’,  Pet Retreat started in June 2002 as a pilot project working with refuges in Somerset, Bristol and Bath. It has since grown to cover the whole of the South and South West. Pet Retreat fills the gaps left by refuges, very few of which can arrange pet fostering and most of which cannot shelter pets due to health and safety regulations and allergy concerns. 

 Pet owners seeking refuge are usually forced to rely on the kindness of friends when it comes to looking after their pets. If friends can’t step in to take temporary care of the animals then often a traumatic decision must be reached to give them up for re-homing or have them put to sleep.

For many people, leaving home without a safe refuge for their pets, is not an option, so they stay in a dangerous situation where they, and often their pets, are subjected to recurring threats and violence. However, pets taken in under the RSPCA PetRetreat scheme will be offered temporary homes with a network of specially selected fosterers until the victim relocates from the refuge.

Pets are fostered for as long as necessary, but owners are encouraged to take them back as soon as is practical, to cause minimum disruption to the animal. However, it can take several months before an owner has found a permanent home and is in the position to care for their pet again.

In order to help as many people as possible, more animal fosterers are desperately needed in Devon.

Carolyn Southwell, the RSPCA PetRetreat co-ordinator said: “When animals come in to us as pairs, we do not split them up, as that would be traumatic, so we would particularly love to here from people who could offer temporary homes to pairs of dogs or cats including these Jack Russell's.”

All the costs of caring for the animals in the scheme are met by the RSPCA but owners are encouraged to contribute if they can.

Muddy Dixie Dumped In Roadside Ditch Monday 19 June 2006

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dog with a severe ear condition was found apparently abandoned at the side of a busy Somerset road.

The long-legged white Jack Russell bitch, was discovered by a soak-away ditch at the side of Shepherd’s Drove, Middlezoy, by an off duty RSPCA market inspector at about 9pm on Saturday 17 June.

The dog was covered in fresh mud, probably as a result of being left in the muddy water filled ditch. Tyre marks on the road suggested a car had stopped there and pulled away very quickly.

RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel, who is investigating, thinks the friendly little bitch, named Dixie by RSPCA staff, was probably abandoned because her owners did not want to pay for veterinary treatment for the chronic ear condition she is suffering from.

Inspector Daniel said: “ Dixie is in generally good condition but has very bad ears which are swollen and infected and bleeding in places and must be very painful for her. She is a very sweet little dog, and was found pacing up and down at the side of the road, as though she was expecting her owners to come back and get her.”

Dixie was wearing a makeshift collar, made from part of a leather bridle, but she had no tag, microchip or other form of identification.

Inspector Daniel said: “There is never any excuse for abandoning an animal, whatever the circumstances. If people have pets in need of treatment then help and advice is available from a number of animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA.”

Now the RSPCA is appealing for information in a bid to discover who owns Dixie and how she came to be at the side of the road. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 08705 555 999 and leave a message for inspector Daniel. Calls are treated in strictest confidence.

Dixie is currently being cared for at the RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, near Taunton.

Successful Quiz Night (Feb 2006)

All the fun at the Summer Fair. (Better late than never)

At the Summer Fair we have a tremendous downpour just before starting and another just as we were packing up, but this did not have stop us having a great time.

 

 

 

1st BEST GROUP	1st Best Queen and best in show	1st Best Rescued cat
1st Best Small animal	1st Best Tom in show	1st Miscellaneous
1st Most contented Cat	1st Most contented "Joint Winner"	1st Most contented "Joint Winner"
1st Most elaborate accommodation	Best Rescue Dog	Bob "The Website Builder" & wife Ruth
Canine Capers	Emma	Flyball Demonstration
Jessica	Lizzy Tuffin & Friends	Naomi Laws and Friends
Most Handsome Dog	Pretties Bitch	Wildlife Radio Tracking
Tea Ladies	Six best legs	Wildlife Stall

Friends of West Hatch Lottery starting July 2005. (25th May, 2005)

After months of preparation the Friends Committee hope to start the the brand new Lottery in June and the first draw of £25 should be made on the 2nd July in the reception area at The West Hatch Animal Centre by a unsuspecting member of the public at around 12 Noon.

If you would like to participate click on the Lottery box above. All profits will be used by the Friends of West Hatch to help the animals at the Animal Centre and Wildlife Centre.

Best of luck to all those participating.

New West Hatch Wildlife website (23rd January, 2005).

West hatch cattery Lock-in (9th Oct, 2004)

 

On the 3rd October 2004, Animal Care Assistant Becky Riley organised a sponsored cattery lock-in at West Hatch.

 

 

 

The volunteers that took part consisted of Joe Godfrey, Rosemary Gibson, Rebecca Viggers and Melanie Williams had to raise sponsorship for being locked inside a cat pen for the day.

 

 

 

It got a bit chilly at some points in the day, but everyone sat it out until 4pm.

 

So far we have received £400 which is an amazing amount for such a small scale fundraising event, and the cats benefited by having warm laps to curl up on for the day.

Guinea Pigs Hog Somerset Animal Centre (Friday 17 September 2004)

An RSPCA animal home is being hogged by guinea pigs, for the second time this year.

West Hatch Companion Animal Centre, near Taunton, is currently caring for about 77 guinea pigs, 25 of which are heavily pregnant and due to give birth any day.

As well as filling their purpose built accommodation, the guinea pigs, many of which were taken into the home by an RSPCA inspector, have also over-spilt into the aviary and the rabbit enclosures at the centre are now full.

West Hatch animal care assistant, Karen Reed, who is in charge of the guinea pigs said: “ We also have a list of guinea pigs waiting to come in to the shelter from owners who can no longer care for them. In order to be able to take in more unwanted guinea pigs, we urgently need to find new homes for the ones we have. The pregnant animals will need to stay at the centre until their babies are weaned, but the rest are looking for homes immediately.”

According to Miss Clark, finding new homes for guinea pigs and other small domestic animals is a constant problem because people do not generally associate them with RSPCA animal homes in the same way that they do with cats or dogs.

Reed said: “The problem is when people are looking for a guinea pig, their first thought is usually a pet shop. We want people to realise that the RSPCA does have guinea pigs and other small animals and we are always keen to find good homes for them.”

Although guinea pigs can make good pets, they need plenty of space, care and attention. Because they are sociable animals, it is preferable not to keep one on its own. Before re-homing a pet from the RSPCA, people are required to undergo a home check, to ensure they can offer the animal a suitable home environment and the care and attention it needs.

Anyone interested in offering a guinea pig a home can visit www.rspca-westhatch.co.uk for more details or contact West Hatch on 0870 0101847.

West Hatch is open from 11am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday and 11am-1pm on Sunday.

Bob receives his certificate. (Saturday 17th July)

At the West Hatch Summer Fair Bob the Website Builder received a very big shock when presented with a RSPCA certificate by Inspector David Steele for setting up and maintaining the website which has now had over 36,000 hits in just over 12 Months.

Afterwards Bob said " I was very honoured to receive this certificate and it came like a bolt out of the blue, Thank you very much"

Bob is pictured on the right with Anita from the RSPCA West Hatch.

Animal Centre Has A Glut Of Guinea Pigs in Need of Loving Homes.

Friday 19 March 2004

An RSPCA animal home is so over-run with guinea pigs, it has run out of places to keep them.

West Hatch Companion Animal Centre, near Taunton is currently caring for about 31 guinea pigs, some of which are pregnant females.

As well as filling their purpose built accommodation, the guinea pigs have also over-spilt into the aviary and the rabbit enclosures.

West Hatch deputy manager, Anita Clark, said: “We have had a lot of guinea pigs in recently and one of them has recently given birth to three babies, which has added to the problem. We also have a list of guinea pigs waiting to come in to the shelter from owners who can no longer care for them.”

“In order to be able to take in stray and unwanted guinea pigs, we urgently need to find new homes for the ones we have.”

Finding new homes for guinea pigs and other small domestic animals is a constant problem because people do not generally associate them with RSPCA animal homes in the same way that they do with cats or dogs.

“The problem is when people are looking for a guinea pig, their first thought is usually a pet shop. We want people to realise that the RSPCA does have guinea pigs and other small animals and we are always keen to find good homes for them.”

Although guinea pigs can make good pets, they need plenty of space and care and attention and as sociable animals, it is unfair to keep one on its own.

Anyone interested in offering a guinea pig a home please contact West Hatch on 0870 0101847.

 I HAVE FOUND A LOST RACING PIGEON - WHAT DO I DO?

We have a new page on our site PLEASE CLICK HERE.

OLD PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES & OLD UNWANTED MOBILE PHONES DESPERATELY WANTED! 

Inkjets cartridges are worth up to £3.50, Lasers cartridges are worth up to £7.00 & Mobiles are worth up to £60.00

 We can recycle the above to raise valuable funds for the centre.  The above items can either be posted to us, or dropped off at the centre.

 If you are a business that would like to donate, please telephone the centre on 01823 480156 and have a chat with the manager. We can send out information packs. 

Please note that Epson ink cartridges cannot be recycled.

 IN CASES OF CRUELTY, NEGLECT OR IN AN EMERGENCY TEL: 0300 1234 999 (24 HOUR)