Testing time for dumped pair of guinea pigs

HOME SEARCH: SSPCA care assistant Lora Booth with Sebastian and Martin, who were found in separate boxes in Giles Street. Picture: PHIL WILKINSON

Two unwanted guinea pigs were discovered in separate cardboard boxes dumped in the middle of a Leith street.

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals got the call to rescue the two furry friends after a concerned resident stumbled upon them on his way home from work.

Mairi Stewart, a Scottish SPCA ambulance driver who was called to the rescue on Giles Street, said: "Whoever dumped these guinea pigs couldn't have known they would be found by someone who would help them," she said.

"They were very lucky to be found by someone who has looked after this type of animal before and knew how to care for them until the SSPCA arrived.

"It was a very cruel act as they could easily have come to harm and it's also a criminal offence so we're asking the public for help identifying where they have come from. Thankfully they are in good health and we'll soon be looking for new homes for them. They are both adult males and we've named them Sebastian and Martin."

She added: "They were left in separate boxes which makes me think they lived separately and suggests the owner might have more of them at home. It's not acceptable and totally irresponsible to do anything like this. There are many people that can help if you really are struggling with your pet."

More than 12,600 animals across Scotland are cared for by SSPCA staff. This year in Edinburgh its officers have been called out to collect and rehome a range of unwanted pets, including a family of ferrets.

A mum, dad and three baby ferrets were dumped near to the Kinneil Nature Reserve in Bo'ness but were rescued after being spotted by a passer-by who alerted the animal welfare charity.

It was thought the owner of the ferret family had intended to release them by leaving their carry cage door open but the domesticated animals obviously didn't fancy the call of the wild.

The SSPCA also recently told how dog kennels in the Lothians were being swamped with rising numbers of abandoned Staffordshire Bull Terriers. At least half the dogs looking for a new home on the SSPCA website are Staffies or Staffie cross breeds.