"Certainly, sir," she replied. "We collect stray animals here,
sir," she continued, turning to Francis. "Every one who has a
dog or a cat he can't afford to keep, or which he wants to get
rid of, may bring it to us. We have agents all the time in the
streets, and if any official of the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals brings us news of a dog or a cat being
ill-treated, we either purchase it or acquire it in some way or
other and keep it here."
"But your dogs in the window," Francis observed, "all seem to be
in wonderful condition."
The woman smiled.
"We have a large dog and cat hospital behind," she explained,
"and a veterinary surgeon who is always in attendance. The
animals are treated there as they are brought in, and fed up if
they are out of condition. When they are ready to sell, we show
them."
"But is this a commercial undertaking," Francis enquired
carefully, "or is it a branch of the S.P.C.A.?"
"It's quite a private affair, sir," the woman told him. "We
charge only five shillings for the dogs and half-a-crown for the
cats, but every one who has one must sign our book, promising to
give it a good home, and has to be either known to us or to
produce references. We do not attempt, of course, to snake a
profit."
"Who on earth is responsible for the upkeep?"
"We are not allowed to mention any names here, sir, but as a
matter of fact I think that your friend knows.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195