Economy blamed for abandoned pets

Ms Dickinson said the turtles had the "cute factor"

A reptile sanctuary has blamed the economic downturn for a rise in abandoned snakes and exotic pets.

The latest animals to be received by the North Wales Reptile and Raptor Sanctuary are a pair of African serrated-hinged turtles.

The centre, in Denbighshire, said the "specialist" pets were found separately near Ruthin.

The sanctuary has also been feeling the effects of the credit crunch, with both electricity and food costs rising.

We are very concerned that this is a symptom of the credit crisis Jane Dickinson, North Wales Reptile and Raptor Sanctuary

Jane Dickinson, who runs the centre at Graigfechan, Denbighshire, said the turtles were about 7-8 inches (18-20cm) long, but would grow to 18 inches (46cm).

She explained they needed a large heated pond and a basking area, and this may have played a part in them being abandoned.

She said: "They require certain equipment.

"When times get hard, pets are often the first things to go.

"We've noticed a real increase in the number of reptiles we've had to take on.

"We are very concerned that this is a symptom of the credit crisis.

The centre has seen a rise in the number of snakes abandoned

"As a sanctuary we are not immune to the effects of the current economic down turn. We rely very heavily on electricity and there has also been a marked increase in the price of the animal feeds."

Ms Dickinson also blamed some pet shops for not informing potential owners of the demands and expense of keeping reptiles.

She said: "They are not common in the pet trade and are very specialised animals to keep.

"These animals would almost certainly have been sold as 2-3inch very cute hatchlings, with the purchaser being overwhelmed by their cuteness and almost certainly told nothing of their potential size and future needs.

"They would not have survived a winter out in the pond and must have been dumped by their owner."