Don't Dump Unwanted Pets, Pleads Local Shop Owner

A local shop owner has told virtual-lancaster she was heart broken to read recent news stories about pets being dumped into bottle banks.

Last month, the Morecambe Visitor recently reported how pet rabbits, kittens and a guinea pig were all been dumped in local bottle banks, which then ate their own fur and skin in a desperate bid to survive. Only one kitten survived.

“This is such a cruel and slow death," says Gina Loxam, proprietor of Pampered Pets, Westgate, Morecambe and ex-Chair of local charity and rescue centre Animal Care. "In this day and age there is no need to dump unwanted pets. There are rescue centres who will take them in. If you are looking for a pet or want to rehome an unwanted pet, please consider this avenue first.

"If you find that you can no longer care for that pet you have a duty to find it another loving home."

Gina has set up a web site - www.petloversonline.co.uk - which has details of many local rescue centres. "If they cannot help, try every other avenue you can think of," she urges. "Ask family and friends; advertise in local papers, pet shops and vets. I was amazed how quickly some dogs advertised in my pet shop window soon found homes.

"If you are finding the vet bills too expensive, again, there are charities who could help and can be found on my website," she adds. "If anyone is struggling to find new homes, I will do everything I can to help you including a free advert in my shop window and contacting rehoming centres to see if they can help."

• If you have a pet you can no longer afford, call Gina on 07925 998965 or contact one of the local animal charities listed on www.petloversonline.co.uk. Pampered Pets can be found in Morecambe's Westgate Shopping Precinct - 20 Glentworth Road West, Morecambe, LA4 4SZ. Tel: 01524 419515