03 March 2024 , 10:49
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The owner of the guinea pig dumped at the entrance of a London underground station attached a heartbreaking note to its cage.
The mystery carer left the "cute" rodent, aged around six months to a year, in a carrier by Canning Town station earlier this week. Shocked TFL staff found the abandoned pet shortly before 4.30pm on Monday.
A large note taped across the top of its holder read: "I need a new owner". Unfortunately, no one has been able to track down the owner as there was no CCTV. Workers alerted animal volunteers who came to rescue the guinea pig, who has since been named DiscoPig.
RSPCA inspector Shahnaz Ahmad collected him from the station and revealed that he would be available to rehome soon. She also warned why guinea pigs shouldn't be left alone. She said: "He seemed healthy and well cared for. It’s very sad that someone has abandoned their pet in this way.
DiscoPig will be searching for a forever home soon (RSPCA)
The owner left this emotional note on its carrier (RSPCA)“We encourage people to reach out to local animal welfare charities for help with pet care, rather than leaving them in a vulnerable situation like this." She continued: “This guinea pig was found alone, guinea pigs are naturally sociable and normally prefer to be with one or more guinea pigs. A guinea pig can develop abnormal behaviour and may suffer if they are left without company.
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"Abandoning pets in such a manner is an incredibly cruel thing to do and never the answer. If anyone has information we would ask them to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line, confidentially on 0300 123 8018.”
Research by veterinary charity PDSA, published in May last year, found that 22 per cent of pet owners said the cost of living crisis had affected how they cared for their pet, reports MyLondon. Rampant inflation has left some households unable to afford the added costs of pet ownership, prompting owners to leave their animals in the street.
Up to the end of October 2023, the RSPCA had received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales. In November the charity warned the UK was facing a 'winter crisis' with animal abandonments at a three-year high.
The RSPCA has created a dedicated Cost of Living Hub with practical help and advice on the charity’s website and has a telephone helpline to support callers who are worried about the cost of living crisis - 0300 123 0650 - open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.