… but you don’t have to take them all!
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for help rehoming 16 beautiful bunnies who have made a fantastic recovery from a case of snuffles. The rabbits are currently housed at Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre as they look to start a new life with a loving family. Continue reading Scottish SPCA seeks homes for sixteen beautiful bunnies
Oreo dumped near Edinburgh tip
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a guinea pig was abandoned in Edinburgh. A member of the public found the pet in its carrier on Old Dalkeith Road on Saturday (20 August).
The guinea pig is currently being cared for at the charity’s rescue and rehoming centre in Lanarkshire, where he has been named Oreo.
Senior Inspector Jenny Scott said, “Whoever dumped Oreo couldn’t have known he would be found by someone who would help him. He was left in his open carrier on a grassy area across from Craigmillar Park near the tip. His carrier (above) had a few wisps of hay in it and there was an empty water bottle lying on its side. The poor thing didn’t have any bedding in his carrier either.
“Oreo is a lovely boy who is full of fun and mischief. He also appears in good condition. We’re now hoping to find this sweet boy a new home with an owner who is committed to caring for him for the rest of his life. If anyone has any information about who may have dumped Oreo or is interested in giving him a loving new home, we’d ask them to call us on 03000 999 999.”
Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Thursday 2 June, 10am – 4pm
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Compulsory dog microchipping comes into effect today
From today it will be compulsory for owners to ensure their dog is microchipped. Continue reading Chipping Norton … and Sodbury, and Rover …
“Pets are not toys and should never be given on a whim or as a gift.”
The Scottish SPCA is advising people not to buy rabbits as Easter gifts for fear of a surge in abandonments. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is warning that a rabbit is for life, not just for Easter. Continue reading A rabbit’s for life, says SSPCA
This can be a terrifying time of year for our family pets. Here are some seasonal tips about keeping your family pet happy …
Dogs die in hot cars warning
The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars as the temperatures rise this summer.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also warned that earlier this year a woman from Stirling was convicted after leaving a dog in the boot of her vehicle on a hot day.
Concerned members of the public have already been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left inside warm cars. The Scottish SPCA is keen to remind the public that they may be risking their dog’s life by leaving it in a hot car for even a short period of time.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Most people know what it’s like to get into a car after it’s been sitting in the sun. It’s unbearable and we immediately roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning.
“Imagine being trapped inside a hot vehicle wearing a fur coat for minutes, possibly hours, and you are some way to understanding how a dog left inside a hot vehicle feels.
“Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes.
“Leaving a window open or providing water is simply not good enough. Dogs can’t sweat the way humans do and need to pant to cool down which can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation.
“We run our campaign every year but we continue to receive a large number of calls from concerned members of the public each summer and we fear some owners don’t fully appreciate the danger they are putting their pets in.
“In April a 45 year old woman from Stirling was convicted for leaving a dog inside the boot of her car without water for approximately one hour on a hot day. She was banned from keeping animals for five years.
“Tragically the Yorkshire terrier, which belonged to the woman’s father, was diagnosed with heatstroke and died after suffering a cardiac seizure.
“We hope this case serves as a warning to other owners who may be tempted to leave a dog in their vehicle on a warm day. Our advice is to leave dogs at home as it is simply not worth the risk.”
Scottish SPCA posters highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot
cars are available to be displayed in local communities. To request
copies please phone the charity on 03000 999 999 selecting option 5 or
email fundraising@scottishspca.org.
One thousand days in care for Rascal the snake
A snake who has become the Scottish SPCA’s longest resident is looking for a home after 1000 days in care. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is hoping to find the right home for Rascal, a California kingsnake who arrived at their Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in the summer of 2012.
Assistant manager Kenny Sharpe said, “Poor Rascal has been with us for nearly three years and has attracted very little interest. He arrived in our care after he was found behind a kitchen unit in Bathgate. A lot of people are put off by his appearance but we know there are plenty of reptile enthusiasts out there who will appreciate Rascal for the stunning creature he is.
“Rascal has a good temperament for a kingsnake and we are looking for an owner with previous snake experience to take him on. Snakes have specialist care requirements and should not be rehomed on a whim so we would certainly urge any would-be owners to do their research.”
Anyone who can offer Rascal a new home is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh centre on 03000 999 999.
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two cats were abandoned in a stairwell at a block of flats in Muirhouse.
The cats were rescued yesterday after they were discovered on the 11th floor of Fidra Court. The male and female cats are now in the care of SSPCA’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
Senior Inspector Stuart Murray said, “Sadly it seems the cats were abandoned as we’ve not been able to identify anyone in the stairwell they might belong to. The male cat is in okay condition but the female has a very nasty wound on her neck where a makeshift collar has been rubbing against her skin. They are exceptionally friendly cats and the vet has estimated them to be around six years old.
“If anyone has any information we would ask them to get in touch. We’ll soon find these lovely cats a suitable new home.”
Anyone with information is being urged to contact our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
Taking your pet out of the country? Changes to the pet travel scheme are being introduced today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The pet travel scheme allows people to take their dog, cat or ferret in and out of the UK without quarantine, as long as they meet the rules of the scheme.
The changes are in line with new European regulations and are designed to improve the security of the scheme and traceability of the pet passport, whilst also clamping down on abuse of the system.
The changes include:
All pets are still required to have a microchip which confirms the animal’s identity.
Existing passports will remain valid for the lifetime of the pet or until all treatment spaces have been filled on the document.
All pet passports issued by vets from 29 December 2014 will be in the new format.
