Meet the adorable pets spending Christmas at Glasgow SSPCA centre

Earlier this month, the Glasgow Times visited the animal welfare charity’s rescue and rehoming centre in Glasgow’s Southside to meet some of the pets in their care.

This varied from adorable small birds to rabbits, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, ferrets and more. These included: 

BOOTS

The one-year-old cat arrived at the centre as a stray. He is a typical kitten who is full of energy and loves attention. 

Staff say he can be "a vocal wee thing at times", especially when he's waiting to be fed.

ROSA

Stunning Rosa is a Husky.

NEPTUNE

Guinea pig Neptune also arrived at the centre as a stray. He has since come out of his shell and shows the staff his love for them - and for veggies.

MERLIN AND OZZIE

These cute cats come as a pair!

LESTER

Lester is a canary and also arrived as a stray.

Although the SSPCA halts rehoming during the festive period, all of these furry friends will be able to be adopted in the New Year.

Rehoming is forbidden in the lead-up to Christmas each year, to stop animals from being given as gifts.

On Christmas Day, the kind-hearted staff treat the animals to a special Christmas dinner.

Assistant manager Rachel Mansfield and animal care assistant Hannah Balloch (Image: Newsquest)

Hannah Balloch, who has been working as an animal care assistant at the centre for the past five months, is yet to work over the festive period.

The 18-year-old said: "I haven’t worked Christmas or New Year yet, but we are open 365 days a year.

"I’m really okay with it though because we can’t just leave these animals in here by themselves for a full day. We do need to be here for them like any other day.

"Giving them the same Christmas as my own pets would have – that’s what’s most important to me.

“I’ve always loved being around animals. My parents were just so enthusiastic about all the different pets that we had. We got a dog, and we got cats and reptiles and more, so it’s just the love I’ve had for animals since I’ve been a child that’s made me want to work here.”

Hannah, from East Kilbride, worked with animals in a previous job but wanted to progress into something a bit more involved.

Her role at the SSPCA involves various jobs throughout the day.

She said: “We make sure that all the animals are okay in the morning, we clean all their hatches, and feed them.

“We take the dogs a walk and the cats get enrichment, so we go in and spend time with them and play with them. We also do vet checks and can give vaccinations.

“At night we feed them again, we make sure that they’re nice and cosy for night time and give them a wee treat before bed.

 “It’s really good working at the centre. There are definitely some days when it is very difficult.

“It’s definitely hard seeing the animals without a home. It’s also hard seeing where they’ve come from, and knowing they don't have their person.

“But there’s honestly an amazing team and I’ve made good friends. I’m really enjoying it. I love being around the animals and the team too.

“I’ve never really been in a job before where I’ve been so close to my colleagues. It’s just the whole society and everyone in it, including the animals, and that’s what I love the most about my job.”

Assistant manager Rachel from Dumbarton (Image: Newsquest)

Due to the high number of animals in the centre's care, the charity is always grateful for donations.

Currently, supplies of wet cat and kitten food and dry food for small dogs are running low. 

The centre, at 125 Kinnell Place, is open for donations to be dropped off. Alternatively, their Amazon Wishlist can be viewed HERE.