WHILE the gone-now Festive Season often brings a puppy, sometimes the relationship after the excitement wears off.

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The RSPCA, and other animal welfare organisations again have a spike in animals left for rehoming at the present time.

There are quite a few rescue dogs around the Bay, and as an owner of the rescued Ninja (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) myself, I am a convert to seeing animals being re-homed.

Buying a pet is a long term commitment, and for some the option of fostering first might be a good start.

Councillor Jaimie Abbott is no stranger to rescue animals as she served as President of Hunter Animal Rescue for a period of seven years.

During this time she participated in fostering dogs and one of her two pet Labradors, Mika was first a foster dog before she became a permanent part of the family.

Cr Abbott told News Of The Area, “Mika was our third foster dog through Hunter Animal Rescue.

“She is what is known as a ‘foster fail’ as we couldn’t give her up for adoption, we fell in love with her, so we kept her.”

She believes that rescue animals make the best pets.

“It’s almost as if they know they have been given a second chance at life,” said Cr Abbott.

Having bought their first Labrador Charlize 11 years ago, not knowing anything about rescue or how many healthy dogs or cats were in the pounds, she believes now it is important for people to know there are beautiful animals in need of a home.

“We know now, and we will always adopt animals for the rest of our lives.

“Mika is incredibly loyal and loving, I would recommend anyone seeking a pet for their family, that they go to a pound or animal rescue organisation as their first stop,” she said.

By Marian SAMPSON