Fur-eezing hamster rescued from blizzard

Friday, 22nd March 2013

It may be late March but the weather is still feeling rather wintry, with snow, rain and freezing temperatures continuing to cover much of the UK.

Yet despite the weatherman warning all hamsters to stay in the warmth and safety of their cosy, sawdust-filled hutch, one adventurous critter decided to take a stroll on the streets of Edinburgh in the middle of a blizzard.

Now recovering with a nice bowl of pet food at the Scottish SPCA's Edinburgh and Lothians animal rescue and rehoming centre, the one-year-old Syrian hamster can consider herself lucky to have been spotted and rescued by a member of the public while out on her arctic adventure.

It is still not known how the pet - named Poppy by staff at the rescue centre - ended up on the street, although the Scottish SPCA is now appealing for the hamster's owner to come forward.

Spokesman Duncan Robertson told the BBC that the animal charity is "keen to hear from anyone who recognises Poppy and, in the meantime, we'll ensure she receives the care she needs".