AN unusually high influx of stray and abandoned pets at Cheshire Pet in Holmes Chapel has prompted a plea for owners to have their pets micro chipped.

An exotic bird, a terrier, two kittens, a black and white car and a rabbit are amongst the menagerie of homeless pets handed into the practice in the space of a few weeks.

None of the animals had been micro chipped, and could therefore not be identified and returned to their owners.

Cheshire Pet’s Jane Hammersley said: “The last thing we want to see are lost pets on our doorstep, it usually means that a family or individual has quite literally lost a family member.

“We will do our best to re-home these pets but the owners’ heartache could so easily be avoided with a simple procedure.”

For more information about micro chipping, contact Cheshire Pet on 01477 544 554.