Charity comes to animals' aid

Staff at Foxhall Veterinary Clinic, in Ruskington, came across two cats, a rabbit and a bird that had been dumped in pet carriers near the back gate the practice.

Joanna Crinks, nursing assistant at Foxhall Veterinary Clinic, said: “They were left outside in the freezing cold.

“This could have easily killed the rabbit and the bird if they had not been found the next morning.

“These animals were lucky. The cold can be a killer.”

Joanna described the discovery as ‘shocking and saddening’.

After finding the animals, the clinic gave the owners seven days to come forward and claim them.

During this time, staff looked after the animals, worming them, removing their fleas and feeding them.

In addition, they launched an appeal on the clinic’s Facebook page to try to find their owners.

On checking the animals over, one was found to be registered to a property more than 30 miles away.

The owner was contacted and said the animal had gone missing a number of weeks earlier. They declined to take it back.

After the seven-day period came to an end, Hollie’s Animal Rehoming Trust (Hart) agreed to care for the animals until they can be rehomed.

Joanna, who also volunteers for Hart, said: “Every animal that needs a home has to be voted in to Hart by our committee members.

“This is not always a simple process and has to be lead by the head and not the heart.

“If we are full, or have limited funds, then not all animals are voted in sadly.”

The two cats, rabbit and bird are now all in the care of Hart volunteers.

The cats which were left have been reserved and, pending further checks, will have new homes to go to.

Joanna said: “We never judge people who have to give up their animals, we only ask that people do the right thing by them, hand them in and don’t abandon them.”

Hart had recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and is a registered charity operating near Sleaford.

The dedicated team of volunteers care for animals of all shapes and sizes until they can be rehomed.

For further information about Hart, and to see pictures of the many animals in its care currently looking for homes, go online to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/holliesanimalrehomingtrust.