South Shields Museum launches animal adoption scheme

A new adoption programme at the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery’s popular Creature Corner has been launched so people can donate towards the upkeep of the animals. People who adopt an animal can have a name or dedication of their choice displayed.

Benefits of adopting an animal also include private ‘meet the animal’ sessions and newsletters about their chosen adoptee.

Catherine Kirkham, development officer at the museum in Ocean Road, South Shields, said: “Creature Corner is such a well-loved part of this museum we thought we would offer people the opportunity to be directly involved in the welfare of our animals.”

“We have already received a monthly adoption for Gizmo the lizard and we’re hoping that more people will adopt him and his neighbours too.”

Rosa the museum’s Chilean Rose tarantula and all spiders cost £2.50 a month to adopt or £30 per year.

Gizmo the spiny tailed lizard costs £4 a month or £48 per year and Lou the California King snake and other snakes can be adopted for £5.50 a month or £66 annually.

Sponsors get their name – or name of your choice - displayed in the museum, two newsletters a year an invitation to an early opening ‘Meet the Animals’ session once a year.

Adopters of the snakes will receive invites to other special events and activities at the museum and two free tickets to a charging event.

For more information or an informal chat about adopting an animal please contact the museum’s development team on (0191) 277 2173 or email [email protected].