COLLECTION OF CATS AND DOGS BY MOTORVAN.
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Many are the parts played by the modern commercial-motor vehicle, but few are likely to make a more direct appeal to the public than those by virtue of which suffering of one kind and another is saved to members of the animal kingdom. We are all familiar, of course, with the manner in which the steam wagon and the larger models of pencil wagons have eased the burdens of overloaded van horses, although there is still a great deal to be done in this direction.
We have never cared to emphasize, in too pointed a manner, the good work which is being done automatically in this direction by the substitution of mechanicallypropelled vehicles for animal draught ; we might so easily be accused of the shedding of crocodiles' tears.
There are other instances amongst the many and varied uses of the industrial vehicle by which the prevention of cruelty to animals is being assisted. We have had brought to our notice during the past week the employment, by an agency for the rescue of stray dogs and cats, of a. motorvan for the collection and the removal of such superfluous animals to premises where the benefits either of the sanatorium or the lethal chamber may be placed at their disposal as circumstances dictate at the time.
It is, perhaps, with mingled feelings that some of us read that there are active agencies at work to preserve cats, and at first thought one is inclined to suggest that there are quite sufficient of them in spite of their struggle for existence without the artificial addition to their ranks which is afforded by the energies of preservation societies.
Be that as itnifty, one can sympathize with an organization which prevents the perpetuation of cruelty
even to such useless animals as cats, and also feel a certain amount of satisfaction in the fact that the commercial motor is found to be a necessary adjunct to any op-todate organization of this sort.
Through the courtesy of Mr. A. Blackburn Craig, who is the honorary managing director of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Dog and Cat Home, we have been furnished with particulars of the work which is carried out by this interesting institution, and, principally, we are interested to learn that the home keeps in constant use a 24 h.p. Albion chassis, fitted with a body which was built to Mr. Craig's own design.
A photograph which we reproduce shows that the body is divided into a number of separate compaetmeats, with doors opening at the sides, and in these the animals, which are collected from all parts ef Glasgow and the vicinity, are transperted safely and in comfort to the headquarters of the home at Corkerinll by Govan.
To illustrate the ramifications of this society, it is interesting to record that last year it took charge of 2410 stray dogs from the police, and 1531 -stray cats from the police and general public, making a total of 3941 animals, most of them transported in the Albion motorvan. Of the 1531 cats, 1529 were destroyed and two were given a-way.
On an average, this machine covers up to 50 miles a day. it is employed entirely on what is known locally as "lifting strays " in Glasgow and the surrounding district. The home is solelysupported by subscriptions and by the sale of any saleable stray dogs. We learn that the Albion is invaluable for this particular kind of work, with its considerable mileage capacity. it is indeed one of the many interesting instances of special uses to which the modern inctorvan is so readily adaptable.