Pet store gets some slippery customers (From Warrington Guardian)

Pet store gets some slippery customers

A STRING of cold-blooded animals visited Crewe last week as the Pets at Home store welcomed Proteus - the UK's leading reptile sanctuary.

While the store does not sell reptiles, they are one of the fastest growing pet choices in the country. And despite this fact, not many people know how to look after them properly.

The event was designed to give customers an insight into the creatures' likes and dislikes.

Sarah Beales and Neil Swann from Proteus were on hand to offer advice as well as giving out fact sheets on how to look after the animals responsibly.

Sarah and her colleagues, who have appeared on the BBC's Animal Hospital and Channel 4's Pet Rescue, have spent years rescuing and rehabilitating thousands of unwanted and badly treated reptiles.

She said: "It was a fun and educational event for any pet owner, giving them the opportunity to really learn about these amazing creatures, as well as getting up close which they wouldn't usually get the chance to do."

Proteus was the first ever reptile sanctuary in the UK to receive the Animal Welfare Award for its work.

The organisation has a free advice line and can be contacted on 0800 9802195.