5:37pm Friday 1st January 2010
By Neil Docking
Dozens of pets are looking for a new home and love this New Year.
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary is full of animals from across East Lancashire who are waiting to be re-homed.
But Neil Martin, the sanctuary’s manager, said this year more animals than usual being taken to the sanctuary.
He said: “We always start the Christmas period completely full and we are asked to accept far more animals than we can take, although we always try and help as soon as we can.
“We often get a lot of animals returned to us in early January, but this year it has started already.
“When people want rid of animals at Christmas, it's normally because of unreasonable expectations. They want things from the animal it cannot deliver, or there are things they are not willing to deliver in return.
“People want furry, inanimate ornaments. They don't necessarily want a companion that needs work.”
Numbers at the 55-acre site have already been boosted by a four and a half year old Labrador, whose owner said he was unable to cope with the demands of caring for the dog.
Neil said: “We had a cross breed who left us here on Tuesday and was back here the following morning because it was crying during the night and soiling the house.”
Two cats adopted last summer were brought to Neil's attention this week after the pets' owner took one of the cats to the vets to be put down.
He said: “He wanted to have it put to sleep, simply because it was soiling the house and he didn't want that at Christmas.
“In that case it's usually a medical issue or a matter of stress for the animal. I spoke to the man concerned and it would most definitely have been a case of stress.
“That is what happens and it's what we have to deal with I'm afraid.”
The vet works with the sanctuary and he refused to carry out the procedure.
Neil added: “I am now repossessing the owner’s other pet.
“Sadly I wish I wasn't experienced at this, but I've been doing this so long that now I am.”
If you are interested in adopting a pet you can drop into the sanctuary in Bury Old Road, Edenfield, call 0844 257 0411 or visit www.bleakholt.org for more details.
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