OVERLOOKED PETS

While the Scottish SPCA takes in all kinds of animals, sadly some animals who come in to the care of our nine animal rescue and rehoming centres spend much longer waiting on their forever homes than others.

While many dogs and cats find a new home in a matter of weeks, other types of animals such as ferrets or reptiles are not so lucky. Unfortunately, these animals can spend many months, or even sometimes years, waiting on anyone showing an interest in them. 2022 in particular has seen an influx of ferrets coming in to our centres.

At one point in June 2022 we were caring for over 60 of the mustelids across the Society and we have cared for over 230 since January this year. Despite repeated appeals to the public, rehoming applications for ferrets remain low. Scottish SPCA chief superintendent, Mike Flynn said, “We’re not sure why we see these increases in certain types of animals, like ferrets, coming in to our

care. It could be anything from people getting bored with a lockdown pet to the rise in the cost-of-living. “Ferrets are also notorious escape artists so it may be that if inexperienced owners have taken them on for the first time they haven’t realised how easily they can get out if their enclosure is not secure.

“Although they are great for adult homes, or homes with older teenagers, they’re not really suitable as children’s pets as they can nip.

“They also need a lot of enrichment and exercise as they’re highly social, intelligent creatures who love interacting with their owners. They shouldn’t just be left in a cage and forgotten about.”

We have also cared for over 100 snakes since the beginning of the year. Sadly, unlike the recent increase in ferrets, many of those snakes have been in our care for years.

Mike continues, “It really is a shame that we get so little interest in the snakes in our care. Sometimes we do get larger snakes at the centres and these can be tricky to find a home for as their new owner would really need to be a very experienced and confident reptile keeper.

“However, the vast majority of the snakes we get in are smaller, popular pet species like corn snakes and ball pythons. “It could just be that people don’t realise we rehome animals like snakes so they don’t know to contact us when they’re looking for a new pet.

“If anyone is looking for a new animal companion, or knows someone who is thinking of taking on a pet, we’d really encourage them to consider adopting. Not only will you be getting a fantastic new companion, you’ll be giving a second chance to an animal who really deserves it.”

All the animals available for adoption at our centres can be viewed and applied for online at: https://www.

scottishspca.org/rehome