TV matchmaker Fred Sirieix is urging people to put as much effort into choosing their pets as they would a partner.
Star of First Dates, Fred knows the essentials required when it comes to compatibility and is supporting Mars Global Adoption Weekend.
He says: “On First Dates, people often want beauty over personality but that’s not the right thing. Taking on a pet is not like buying a car – they have feelings.
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“Somebody might want a big dog but live in a flat, or if you’re a quiet person a dog that is energetic might not be for you. It’s about matching your character with the nature of a pet.
“You have to be responsible and be there for a pet – they need love, just as you wouldn’t have children if you couldn’t take care of them.”
(Image: PA)
The new Mars Global Pet Parent Study found that 362million dogs and cats are homeless worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for increased pet adoption efforts.
Globally, only 11% of dog owners and 17% of cat owners choose to adopt from shelters. And Fred saw for himself how many pets are looking for new homes when he visited London’s Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
They are currently experiencing the highest number of cats needing their help in the past five years due to large numbers of unneutered moggies, unwanted litters and owners experiencing changes in their circumstances leading to them making the responsible decision to bring them to a rescue centre such as Battersea.
He says: “The amount of cats seeking adoption is at an all-time high. We are seeing a trend going up as people prefer to buy from breeders when all these animals want is to go to a loving home.
“It’s easy to get a puppy at Christmas and then people realise it’s too big or they can’t take care of them – it’s cruel.”
Growing up in Limoges, France, the first pet Fred had was a dog rescued by his dad after being found wandering the streets. He recalls: “When I was a boy we found a stray female boxer when we were coming back from my grandparents’ house.
“We tried to find the owner but we could not, so she became the family dog when I was around seven or eight. Then we had lots of cats because my dad said he could not cope with the heartbreak when she died and wouldn’t have another dog.”
Fred now gets his pooch love from the dog belonging to his daughter, Team GB diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, who won bronze at the Paris Olympic Games in the women’s synchronized diving 10m platform.
(Image: PA)
The 52-year-old says: “My daughter has a Staffie who comes for cuddles. And when I went to visit Battersea for this campaign there was a sweet dog with three legs, who had been operated on and was getting used to walking again.
“When Andrea was three we got a cat named Figaro because she was obsessed with Pinocchio. She passed away six months ago and came from a litter from the pharmacy next door.
“She had a white patch on her stomach and liked to sit on your lap.”
During his Desperately Seeking Santa Christmas special for ITV in 2020, alongside Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo, Fred got the chance to work with husky dogs in Finland where their teamwork sledging impressed him.
He says: “They are smart – it’s insane how they work together.”
To get involved in Mars’ Global Adoption Weekend, head to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to find your perfect match, or visit your local shelter
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
