HEARTLESS pet owners who are unable or unwilling to care for their pets are dumping them outside an Orange pet shop without food or water.
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The pet shop manager at Mullion Produce Pets and Saddlery, Chris Bacon, said owners weren’t notifying staff that they’d dropped off the animals, leaving them to sit in the sun until they’re discovered.
“Some are left in shopping bags or buckets and some are so dehydrated that they just run at the water when we give it to them,” he said.
“Some are so tense that they’re just frozen, they don’t move.”
Mr Bacon said a range of different animals were being dumped, including rabbits and mice.
“It’s been happening for a while now and in the last few days someone’s left some guinea pigs sitting in the sun,” he said.
“They didn’t tell anyone and left them with nothing.
“Amazingly, some people don’t feel bad about this.”
Mr Bacon said he had no idea who was leaving the animals and while the store did purchase animals for sale, it was company policy to obtain background information on the animals, including their age.
“People shouldn’t breed animals if they can’t look after them themselves,” he said.
Mr Bacon said most of the animals were being dumped at around 3.30pm, straight after school ends.
He said the store had issued a plea for local pet owners to have a heart.
“We’re just asking people to do the right thing,” he said.
Mullion Produce Pets & Saddlery is using its Facebook page to urge animals lovers to contact them or the RSPCA if they know who’s responsible for dumping the animals.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au