South West

Usually when a pet is mistreated it's the RSPCA who come to the rescue, but when the pet in question is more exotic - they need special help.

The monkey sanctuary in Looe cares for former pets whose owners weren't able to look after them.

To the sanctuary's dismay, it's not illegal to keep primates as pets - in fact there are up to 3,000 kept in homes and back gardens across the UK.

A quick internet search will reveal just how easy it is to get hold of one, but people aren't always prepared for what they're letting themselves in for.

For lots of owners it proves too much responsibility and their monkeys end up at the sanctuary in Looe.

The monkey sanctuary want to see the primate pet trade stopped.

Its keepers have seen enough cases to know that monkeys make terrible pets:

"We don't feel we should keep monkeys as pets. They're nice and cute and cuddly when they're young but they need their own species - they're a wild animal as well, not domesticated," says Tjark from the sanctuary.

Twenty four hour job

Looking after the monkeys at the sanctuary is a 24 hour job.

But the keepers have to drop everything when they get a call asking for their help.

Inside Out follows the case of a pet capuchin monkey in London which has been abandoned by its owner and needs rescuing.

Meeting of minds - Joey and new friend.

The monkey - called Joey - has been kept in a tiny bare cage for nine years with only a television for company.

The sanctuary uses a 'monkey crush' to catch the monkey humanely and get him safely in their care and ensure that the vet can safely inject him.

Initially the animal is nervous of all the new faces and starts to get distressed.

But with perseverance from the keepers Joey is eventually moved safely into the box, and from there out into the sanctuary's van.

It's the first time Joey has been in the outside world for nine years.

But now he's in the best possible hands as he's taken to the vets in Cornwall for a health check.

Learning to enjoy life

Being cooped up and alone for years has taken its toll on Joey. He has thin, brittle bones as well as a curved spine and bones and his neck is fused to his spine.

Joey's health problems were all caused because he was kept cooped up and didn't get the right diet or enough sunlight for so many years.

When he arrives at the sanctuary, he's disturbed and confused. Even the wind on his face is a frightening new experience.

Tjark from the sanctuary says: "He wasn't like any other monkey we've ever had before. He couldn't climb; he couldn't climb ropes, he couldn't climb the mesh, so we had to make it easy for him."

After a few days acclimatising, Joey's new life at the sanctuary is proving to be a success, and it's not long before he's exploring his home and playing with the ropes.

But there's another challenge ahead. Although Joey can see and hear the other monkeys, he's never actually met his own kind face to face before.

No-one knows how he's going to react.

Monkey business

When Joey is finally introduced to another animal, it's a special moment.

Joey is fascinated by his new friend, and it looks hopeful that he'll eventually be able to integrate with the main group.

Four months later Joey is still doing well.

It's a wonderful environment for him - and Joey is very happy at the sanctuary.

From a tiny dark cage in London to a sunny open space in Looe, Joey's life has been transformed.