The RSPCA have reported an alarming increase in animals being abandoned across England and Wales

In the last year, the RSPCA were called out to rescue more than 37,000 abandoned animals and received a call asking for help every 30 seconds.

Every year the charity sees a sharp rise in abandonments at the height of summer. Evidence from the RSPCA and other animal charities suggests some people chose to get rid of their pets rather than pay for them to be looked after while they are on holiday.

In other cases, money may be spent on holidays and other summer ‘treats’ rather than seeking vet attention for ill or newborn animals, so they are simply discarded.

“The shocking fact is that even in a nation of animal lovers, there are thousands of people out there who don’t care about their pets at all. In fact, some literally treat them like rubbish,” said RSPCA deputy chief inspector Ben Strangwood.

The animal welfare charity has released a list of the most unusual places that animals have been abandoned since May [2013]. Including:

• A dog dumped in a duffel bag 
• Chinchillas found in a cage in a cemetery 
• Very young rabbits discovered in a plant pot inside a shopping bag 
• A mother cat and kittens dumped in a wheelie bin 
• A terrapin left in a bucket in a children’s playground
• A man who walked into a Tesco and asked a woman to hold his cat while he called the RSPCA - and then never returned.

The list is a startling reminder that some really do view animals as commodities that can be discarded without a moments’ thought.

“It’s bad enough when we find a box of kittens wrapped in blankets on our doorstep with a note,” added DCI Strangwood, “but now people are deliberately dumping their animals in out of the way places - like bins, skips or on waste ground - and leaving them to die.” 

The public is urged to be vigilant, and to alert the RSPCA if they notice boxes, bins or bags that could contain abandoned animals. Things to look out for include movement and noises.     

To help the RSPCA continue its vital work rescuing rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned animals across England and Wales, Text RUBBISH to 70800 to give £5 today.

Zoo Licence for Hobbledown

Surrey’s newest tourist attraction Hobbledown has received its Zoo Licence.

The licence is mandatory for any establishment which exhibits wild animals to the public.

The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 sets out how zoos in Great Britain are inspected and licensed. This ensures that zoos are safe for the public to visit, that high standards of welfare are maintained and that zoos make a contribution to conservation of wildlife.

More than 100 animals currently reside at Hobbledown, ranging from wallabies and birds of prey to miniature sheep, meerkats [which have just had a new family] and Patagonian Mara.

Over the next few weeks they will joined by a variety of new species including otters, racoon dogs, great grey owls and an Amazonian parrot.

The animals are overseen by an expert team of handlers on site lead by Dolores Nicholson. In addition Matt Hartley has been employed as a zoo and wildlife consultant.

Matt has worked in zoos and with wildlife for 20 years throughout the world and is a Government appointed Zoo Inspector.

His job at Hobbledown is to ensure the farm is kept to the highest possible standard.

A spokesperson at DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] said: “Well-managed zoos can play an important role in educating visitors about wild animals and their habitats, and through activities which help conserve and protect threatened wildlife.”

• Hobbledown is a unique farm park adventure which opened this summer. It cost more than £3million to build and has created more than 65 jobs.

• As well as the animals it houses a variety of adventure play equipment including towers, tunnels, a low ropes adventure, aerial walkways, mazes, an interactive sand play zone and an aerial adventure course. There is also a 14,000sqft play barn.

Hobbledown at Horton Park Children’s Farm can be found in Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8PT. For more information visit www.hobbledown.com or telephone 0843 289 4979.