HOW sickened I was to read of the cruelty, and, what could have been a long suffering death, that the poor cat featured in last weeks paper would have suffered if he had not been found by a vigilant dog walker.

HOW sickened I was to read of the cruelty, and, what could have been a long suffering death, that the poor cat featured in last weeks paper would have suffered if he had not been found by a vigilant dog walker.

What kind of a person, given whatever circumstances, can tape a kitten into an air tight box and leave him on the beach to either suffocate or drown.

Tragically, animal cruelty happens more than we know. Too bad the punishments for this don't seem to fit the crime - that's if the perpetrator is ever caught.

More and more pets are being abandoned because people are experiencing financial or personal difficulties and, of course, along with food, at some stage in their lives pets will incur vets bills.

The sad truth is pets, like children, can be expensive. You do not know how expensive they are until someone takes you through it step by step, or you have one.

I would urge anyone experiencing difficulties, if their pets need treatment, and can't afford it, or for personal reasons, can no longer keep their pets, not to just go down the route of abandoning, but to talk to all the rescue centres in their area, or any of the local vets, who can advise, on possible ways and means round these situations.

NICCI PEARSON

Mariners Light Cattery, Sand Bay