The Scottish SPCA is appealing to animal lovers to donate old newspapers to its Ayrshire and South West Scotland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

We use newspapers to line the enclosures of small animals in our care, like Skippy and Sweep the rabbits. We only have a handful of newspapers left, which keeps our small animals clean and dry.

Centre manager, Marion Hainey, said, “We are running desperately low on our newspaper supply so we are hoping there are people nearby who can donate their old papers.

“Newspaper is a great material to use as a base for cages to catch the inevitable mishaps.

“We cannot accept any magazines or papers with staples in them as these could be harmful to our little animals.

“Donating old newspapers will allow us to keep Skippy, Sweep and all our small animals in a clean and hygienic environment while they wait to find their forever homes.

“Papers do need to be bagged up before being put in the donation bins outside our centre.

“If anyone can spare any old papers – our small animals aren’t fussy between tabloid and broadsheet – then please drop them off in a secured bag in the donation bins outside our centre.”

Items can be dropped at Scottish SPCA, Millview, Mainholm Road, Ayr, KA6 5HD.