Two pet rats were discovered inside a gift bag on a popular Edinburgh walkway, with the Scottish SPCA issuing an appeal for information, as well as warning people that it wasn't the right way to give up an animal.
The male rats, believed to have been pets, were discovered on a path leading to the Water of Leith, both inside a colourful gift bag and seemingly abandoned by their owner.
The Record reports how the Scottish SPCA said the pets had been taken care off relatively well, with no immediate signs of abuse, but were unhappy at the nature in which the rats were just left in the open.
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One of the rats is fully white in colour, and the other is white with a ginger head and tail. The bag they were found in was sage coloured and had pink writing that said 'just for you'.
Scottish SPCA inspector Emma Phillips, said: “The rats are both male, very friendly, and appear to have been well cared for until now. There was some food left inside the bag but no water.
“We understand that people’s circumstances can change, but this is not the right way to give up an animal and these rats would have been caused a great amount of distress.
“They are thankfully now safe and being cared for by one of our rescue and rehoming centres.
“We are urging anyone who recognises these rats or has any information to please contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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