Pets being abandoned ahead of festive break

Animal charities are bracing themselves for a busy Christmas, with people already giving up their pets rather than pay for catteries and kennels over the festive period. Helping You Help Animals, known as Huha, say a dozen animals have been dropped off at their shelters in the last week, and are asking people to think twice before giving pets as gifts. Huha's co-founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie told Checkpoint it taints this time of year for them, but they will do their best to make Christmas Day positive for the roughly 400 animals in their care.