Looking for a furry friend? (From Sutton Guardian)

Cats and rabbits looking for a home at Riverside Animal Centre in Beddington Park

12:24pm Thursday 3rd February 2011 in Latest News By Jeff Kuntz

Looking for a furry friend? Riverside Animal Centre in Beddington Park will open its doors from noon to 3pm on Saturday.

Despite finding homes for many pets over Christmas and new year, the centre has more than 20 cats and several rabbits to house.

Spokesman Ted Burden said Riverside’s pet unit intervened in many urgent situations this year, like the case of Tigger and Smudge, whose reclusive owner died after years of living alone.

Other rescues include a dog abandoned outside a kebab shop and the discovery of a mother and kittens in a basement and a malnourished rabbit behind a shed.

Prospective owners are home-checked. Pets are vaccinated, microchipped and, in most cases, neutered.

A charge covers costs and encourages people to keep pets responsibly.

Staff will offer refreshments, gifts, advice, and will microchip cats and dogs for £10. No appointment is necessary.

For further details, visit riversideanimalcentre.org/events or call 020 8647 6230.