Tigger needs a home

ABANDONED . . . animal care worker Roxanne Greenwood with Tigger

TIGGER the tom cat is on the lookout for a new home after he was abandoned just before Christmas.

The three-year-old moggy was left in a box at the RSPCA centre in Rhodes Bank, where staff saw a 22 per cent rise in animals handed in during December compared with other months.

Manager Mandy Tierney said: “We usually see more animals brought in during December and it tends to be older cats and dogs that people don’t want or can’t afford.

“The RSPCA doesn’t get any Government funding so we rely on donations which, during this financial climate, is very tough. We are urging all pet owners to get their cats and dogs neutered to prevent any unwanted litters.”

Nationally, the RSPCA received 2,112 calls about abandoned animals during December with 682 of these coming from the North. Anyone interested in adopting an animal from the RSPCA can call the centre on 0300-1111 333.