Babe the pig has new home - thanks to The Argus (From The Argus)

Babe the pig has new home - thanks to The Argus

12:50pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Ben James

An animal shelter has been inundated with offers of homes for abandoned pets, in response to The Argus’ campaign.

We featured Stacey McSpirit and the Paws Sanctuary in Findon for the launch day of our Give a Pet a Home campaign last Monday.

Since then she has been inundated with calls and was even disconnected by her phone company due to the sheer volume incoming traffic.

One of the early success stories was in re-homing abandoned pig, Babe.

A kind-hearted couple from Sidlesham got in touch and gave the one-year-old a new field and shelter to himself.

Ms McSpirit said: “I went along to see him and he was so happy. He was running around with his little tail going – he couldn’t believe much space he had. He just couldn’t believe his luck.

“He was getting all excited because of the geese nearby. I don’t think he has ever seen geese before.”

However, for all the animals Paws has re-homed in the last week, they have had an equal amount dumped on them and so still need your help.

Ms McSpirit takes in half a dozen pets every week and has called on changes to the law to make micro-chipping cats and dogs compulsory to reduce the number that end up in shelters like hers.

The 72-year-old said: “When we get called out to inspect a lost cat we all cheer if it bleeps when we run the scanner over it.

“It means that lost pets don’t have to take up another space at the shelter when there are abandoned ones that need help.

“Cats and dogs are so friendly that they will jump in a car if the door is open and they can end up miles and miles from home.

“I picked up a cat that was from a home in Hampshire. I scanned it and just called the lady to let her know.

“Not only would it ease the pressure on the dog wardens and rescue shelters but it would also increase the chances of owners finding their lost pets. It doesn’t cost much, usually between £20 and £30.”

The volunteer has already written a letter to the Houses of Parliament and will now approach her MP Nick Herbert for support.

She wants to see cats and dogs microchipped at the same time they receive their first set of injections.