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Pet owner turns in 62 animals, swamping MSPCA adoption center

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 2, 2010 11:32 AM

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

The Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says its animal adoption center in Methuen has been swamped by 51 rabbits and 11 chinchillas that were turned in by a single pet owner.

Many of the animals were in need of quarantine and extensive medical care, the MSPCA said today.

The animal welfare agency said the surrender of chinchillas and rabbits was part of an unusual trend of individual pet owners surrendering dozens of animals. The trend is stretching the center's physical and financial resources, the agency said.

In just two months, the agency said, the rabbit and chinchilla owner and five other people have surrendered more than 100 cats, kittens, rabbits, and other small animals in unrelated cases.

"It's unusual to have so many animals surrendered by single individuals so close together," said MSPCA spokesman Brian Adams. "The No. 1 reason this happens is because of the lack of spay and neutering." Another reason, he said, might be the tough economic times.

The agency is hoping that those interested in foster care may step forward. To learn more about the MSPCA’s Foster Program, visit www.mspca.org/foster.