A rabbit and a guinea pig were dumped at a rescue sanctuary - on Christmas Eve.
Yet workers at the Rescuers' Wildlife Sanctuary in Watlington Road, Benfleet, say the traumatised pets had clearly been loved and nurtured before their family decided they didn't want them any more.
Owner of the sanctuary, Veronica Mepham, said: "A man dropped them off in a cardboard box saying that his son's family were leaving the country and he couldn't take care of them anymore.
"They were indoor pets who had obviously been cared for, but when they came to us they were trembling and traumatised."
Carers at the centre have spent the Christmas period feeding and calming the two-year-old animals.
Veronica said: "Unfortunately this does happen quite often.
"I have had several calls over Christmas from people who want advice on what to do with unwanted pets." She added that people must think seriously when deciding whether to buy pets for their families.
Published Friday January 2, 2004
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