Animals needs must come first

10:14am Thursday 31st May 2001

I WOULD like to respond to Sarah Harbour's letter (May 17) which referred to animal welfare organisations' rehoming procedures, including those of the Blue Cross.

As an animal welfare charity, we aim to find permanent, loving homes for every animal that comes into our centre, each of which will have different needs and requirements.

This applies in particular to young animals such as kittens that need regular meals and stimulation throughout the day to ensure they develop physically and psychologically into well-adjusted adults.

During this crucial development period, it is important that owners are a constant presence - not only to protect the pet from potential harm but also to provide plenty of interaction and begin to gain the animals' trust. This will ensure that the kitten or puppy does not develop behavioural problems later on a situation that we are sadly all too familiar with, as many animals come into Blue Cross adoption centres because of problems resulting from lack of early socialisation.

Ms Harbour is obviously a conscientious pet owner who could provide a wonderful home for one of our adult cats. Regretfully, older animals are often overlooked by people wanting to adopt a pet, when in fact they can provide as much joy to their owners and are just as deserving of a good life as their younger counterparts.

Of course a loving home is better than no home, but our first priority will always be to the animals in our care and that means placing them in an environment that meets their needs as well as those of their owners.

Samantha Holloway - Deputy Manager

Blue Cross Adoption Centre, Chalfont St Peter

Shakers News