Left out in the cold

The Blue Cross is urging people not to abandon their animals after we took in our fourth dumped pet in as many weeks on one of the coldest nights of the year.

Staff at our Burford adoption centre were shocked to discover a cat dumped at the centre’s gates in sub-zero temperatures.

Nicknamed Tinsel she had just a draughty cat box to protect her from the icy elements.

A note attached to the box read: “PLEASE LOOK AFTER OUR CAT WE NO LONGER CAN Thank you.”

Later the same morning a rabbit was found nearby cowering in a cardboard box and freezing cold in the snow.

A few days earlier another rabbit named by staff as Mr Cringle had been taken in after being found abandoned in a dirty crate.

Both his feet had lost their fur because he was left to stand in filth and he needed urgent treatment to his ears which were badly bitten by mites and causing him pain.

Another rabbit, Flora, was found frightened and alone in a ditch at the roadside. She was suffering from a painful tumour in her eye which needed to be removed but is now safe and recovering.

Burford adoption centre manager Nikki Smith said: “We know this is a difficult time financially for pet owners but to leave vulnerable animals to fend for themselves in this bitter weather is heartbreaking – it’s lucky they survived.

“We are glad that these animals are all now safe with us and will be cared for in the warm over Christmas. Hopefully they will start the new year in homes where they are loved and treasured as all pets deserve to be.”

The Burford centre has taken in nearly 1,000 homeless and unwanted pets so far this year. One in ten were dumped or stray and many were given up because their owners said they could no longer afford to keep them.

Nikki added: “We urge pet owners who may be struggling to contact an animal charity like The Blue Cross – we can offer advice and will never judge someone for taking a responsible decision for their pet.

“But please don’t dump pets – not only is it dangerous in the current conditions, it is also much harder for us to find them the right homes if we don't know enough about their background.”