Purrfect time to kick the smoking habit and help pets

AN ANIMAL shelter is warning pet owners to be aware of the dangers of passive smoking to their beloved creatures.

Stubbington Ark is urging smokers who own pets to think before they light up in front of them.

And it is now asking animal lovers to quit the habit and help raise money for the charity at the same time.

Vanessa Eden, head of fundraising at the Ark said: ‘We have all heard about the risks humans run when inhaling second-hand smoke but animals suffer in silence.

‘Recent research has shown that a cat or dog that is in the same room as a smoker can develop breathing problems and could be at risk of heart disease, blood disorders and some types of cancer.

‘Smoke can penetrate into the animal’s fur and when the cat or dog lick themselves they are swallowing potentially dangerous nicotine.

‘Even pet fish do not escape as tar particles from the smoke can sink into the tank water causing long-term damage.’

In an effort to draw attention to the dangers, the charity is promoting a campaign dubbed Stub It Out, It Makes Purrfect Sense.