A Staffordshire animal rescue organisation says it has has seen a surge in abandoned rodents – because of the current cold weather.

Volunteers at Pet Welfare believe they are taking in more of the animals during the wintry conditions because their owners don’t want to venture out of their homes in order to care for them. Now the charity, which serves both the Stafford and Cannock areas, has issued an urgent appeal for people to provide foster homes for a surplus of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

Pet Welfare spokeswoman Helen Gamble said the group had seen a sudden rise in unwanted small pets over the past week, which coincided with the snow and ice.

She said the Pet Welfare is now running at full capacity after several new arrivals of each species, bringing the total headcount up to at least 20 rabbits, along with six guinea pigs, five gerbils and three Russian dwarf hamsters.

She put the surge down to some people being reluctant to go outside to feed the animals during the big freeze. Miss Gamble also told the Express & Star that the increasing number of people losing their homes due to the economic downturn had probably contributed to the problem.

She said: “It’s rather desperate, really. With the weather being bad, I think a lot of people are giving them to us to be rehomed, rather than going outside to look after them.

“Generally speaking, when the winter comes I don’t think people are necessarily prepared for it but then the past week has particularly bad. And at the moment, a lot of people are losing their homes and not many landlords for rented accommodation will let you have pets.”

Miss Gamble added that pets like animals, rabbits and guinea pigs were less likely than cats and dogs to be fostered once abandoned.

Miss Gamble said that Pet Welfare, which provides a network of foster homes for animals all over the Stafford and Cannock areas, has had to take on a batch of rodents from a woman whose roof caved in due to the show.

Anyone able to help should call Ms Gamble on 01785 661753 or visit www.petwelfare.co.uk