Animal rescue centre hunts for homes

STAFF at the Scottish SPCA's Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno are urging people to consider rehoming an animal.

Work on new kennels, a cattery and dedicated exotics facility at the centre is due to be completed by late February.

In the meantime, cats, exotic animals, birds and small animals which would normally have been rehomed by the centre are being transferred to alternative Scottish SPCA centres.

However, staff at the centre have stressed that there are still plenty of animals at Balerno waiting for new owners.

Manager Diane Stewart said: "We are currently looking after 12 dogs, 14 rabbits and nine ferrets, and are keen to find new homes.

"We've been lucky so far this Christmas in that we haven't had any animals dumped at our door, though we are bracing ourselves for the annual spate of abandonments which usually take place in the first few weeks of January.

"It happens every year no matter how often we stress that animals should not be given as presents, and should only ever be taken on by responsible owners."

Anyone interested in rehoming an animal should visit www.scottishspca.org, or call 03000 999 999.