Dumfries school rescues abandoned hamster from side of the road

A Dumfries school has rescued an abandoned hamster.

Pupils at Langlands were on a nature walk recently when staff members Diane Pattie and Viv McDonald spotted something sitting at the side of Ash Road while they were in the school bus.

And as they slowly crept forward they discovered a hamster sitting on a mound of sawdust inside a tipped over cage.

The poor wee creature was in distress so the staff and pupils brought the animal back to the school before taking it to Nithsdale Vets in Heathhall.

An appeal went out for a larger cage for the Syrian hamster, which has been renamed Ash by the school, and Langlands was donated a hamster mansion by Christine McConnell.

Acting principal teacher Emma Mackay said: “We are very grateful to Nithsdale Vets for checking her over free of charge. We are also very grateful for her new mansion, donated by Christine McConnell.

“Ash is a very happy lady who will live out her life with love and care.

“She has the sweetest nature, and we are all enjoying sharing her care responsibilities. She was very lucky to be spotted and rescued by our staff.

“We would urge anyone looking to rehome their animals to use their local rescue centres. This could have been a very different outcome for Ash if we hadn’t come across her that day.”