TWO lost pets are hoping to be reunited with their owners after going missing from their homes last week.

The first is a tortoise who has gone missing from the back garden of his Taw Hill home and his owners have pleaded for his safe return.

Twinkle, a 13-year-old Hermann’s tortoise, has not been seen since last Thursday and he has been reported missing to police.

Theresa Gardiner, 44, said she could not find him anywhere and was concerned for his health because it was getting close to hibernation season.

“The children are just shocked because they usually take him to school and show their friends. He was part of the family,” she said.

“He’s a cool character and I think it’s just so disappointing that he’s gone. He lives under the rabbit hutch and there are no signs of any escape.”

Hermann tortoises are one of the animals listed in Annex A of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and cannot be sold without a licence. Anyone doing so commits a criminal offence as does the purchaser of such a tortoise, punishable with up to five years in prison.

Theresa said Twinkle was easy to identify as one of his back legs is shorter than the other.

John Hayward, from the National Theft Register for exotic animals, said: “We are most concerned as to the welfare of this pet and the news that it is missing is devastating for the family who have had the tortoise for many years.

“It requires a special diet and nutrition. We are approaching the hibernation season and it is vital that it is returned as soon as possible.”

A reward has been offered for Twinkle’s safe return and anyone with information is asked to contact Mr Hayward on 07802 404929. Police are not treating Twinkle’s disappearance as a theft.

Meanwhile, town centre resident John Ainslie rescued a rabbit he found hopping around in the road and is keen to reunite it with its owners.

Mr Ainslie had been at the Greyhound pub in Faringdon Road and was walking to a friend’s house when he saw the small black rabbit.

He went back to the pub, because he knew they kept rabbits, and collected straw and food for the animal.

“I had been in the pub for an hour or two. It was just hopping along the streets and it looked scared,” he said.

The rabbit is black and has lopped ears. It is believed to be only a few months old.

Mr Ainslie has phoned the RSPCA, Swindon Animal Haven, and all the vets across the town to try and find the owner.

“I’m sure there’s some kid out there who is very upset, I’m not sure how long it had been lost for,” he said.

Anyone who believes the rabbit belongs to them, or has information about the owners is asked to call Mr Ainslie on 07917 765134.