THE description of this country as 'a nation of animal lovers' has an increasingly hollow ring to it, according to Petline organiser Chris Butterworth.
Chris says many people regard their pet as nothing more than an accessory which can be dumped as soon as the novelty value has worn off.
"An animal is for life and that can mean 15 or 20 years", she says.
The number of abandoned animals has reached epidemic proportions in Trafford and the pets champion didn't mince her words when asked to describe her feelings towards the cruel, fly by night owners.
"It makes me feel angry, frustrated and sick to my stomach", says Chris, who adds many unwanted animals are put to sleep.
To make matters worse, owners are still ignoring the message to have some form of identification fitted to their pets.
As a result of their thoughtlessness animal welfare groups have no way of knowing which creatures are genuinely lost.
Chris would like the man feeding a white Persian cat in the Hale area to get in touch so the cat can be re-united with its rightful owner. Call 941 1478 or Petline on 902 0483.
On a lighter note, 14 dogs and 18 cats have been re-united with their relieved owners.
Lost
KATIE: an eight month old, black, female cat wearing a red collar. Went missing in the Windsor Avenue area of Flixton on May 4. Call 747 6925.
CLAUDIA: a gold and black Yorkshire terrier type female dog. Wearing a collar when she went missing in the Baguley Lane area of Sale Moor on May 18. Call 905 2153.
ZELDA: a beige female ferret with a brown face, tail and feet. Went missing in the Longfield Avenue/Briarfield Road area of Timperley on May 17. Call 904 9786.
BARNEY: a black and white, Felix type neutered male cat. Wearing a silver reflective collar when he went missing in the Westminster Road area of Davyhulme on May 4. Call 718 0250.
Using Petline
If you would like to put a pet on the register or have any news about animals but do not want to speak directly to the owners, call Chris Butterworth on 902 0483, between 9am and 9pm. If she is not around, keep trying.
If you would like a picture of a lost pet to accompany a written appeal, send it to Rick Bowen, SAM, 25 Ashton Lane, Sale, M33 6TP.
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