300 PETS FROM RHINELAND

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 31

300 PETS FROM RHINELAND

INCIDENTS OF THE EVACUATION

Great preparations were being made at tbe dogs’ and cats’ home in .Surrey, run bv the R.S.P.C.A.. for the reception of 300 of the pets which the Rhineland Army was expected to bring borne with it. All tbe animals will have to remain in quarantine for six months as a precaution against rabies and other infectious diseases. They are to be maintained at the expense of the Army, with a nominal charge to their owners of £2 a head. Headkeeper Brown showed me proudly over what is really a wonderful establishment, occupying nearly 14 acres of ground, approached by a drive that might belong to a country gentleman’s estate (writes a “Daily News” reporter). He has been here 20 years. “The dogs will soon settle down and be happy,” he prophesied. Cats are more difficult to manage, and many of the soldiers will be bringing cats. Cats do not seem to miss their human friends, but are apt to worry and brood when shut up in a strange place, even when the place is what Mr. Brown calls “tbe best cattery in the world.” The kennels, or rather cubicles, mea-

suring Sft. 6in. by 4ft. 6in., are being specially enclosed in one-inch wire mesh, so that no animal can come in contact with another. Each cat’s kennel has an open-air section attached, and there are 50 separate exercise grounds for the dogs. There is also a bathroom, with hot and cold water laid on. It will take 15 stones of meat (principally beef) per week to make the soup in which the Rhineland Army’s dogs will have their broken biscuit soaked. Stewed meat and soaked biscuit will be mixed together in the proportion of one part meat to three of biscuits. The cats will get milk ana fish. > _ . “We have had 3000 boarders during the summer holidays this year, and only lost one,” said Mr. Brown. The first batch of pets is expected at Hackbridge next Monday. Officers pt the R S.P.C.A. will meet them at Dover and see that they are placed in crates of suitable size—from “pom. to Alsatian. They will then travel by road. Transport and board and lodging for six months will cost, on an avwag®, £l2 for each dog or cat