RSPCA Victoria, along with participating Petbarn stores, will reduce the adoption price of cats and kittens to just $29 as part of its ‘CatPacity’ adoption promotion running from 30th-31st of July 2022 in an effort to ease the increasing pressure on its shelters.
Currently operating at capacity, RSPCA Victoria shelters are caring for 1,063 animals, including 675 cats and kittens. In comparison, last year at the same time there were 856 animals in care including 405 cats and kittens, and adoptions were booming with people welcoming a new pet into the family during lockdowns, which meant animals were being adopted faster.
RSPCA Victoria is urgently looking for loving furever homes for as many cats and kittens as possible to make way for incoming animals who also require care and rehoming.
Rehabilitation and Adoption Manager at RSPCA Victoria, Dr Rupert Baker, said that online applications for pets have slowed recently, and with the high number of cats in care, this has created additional pressure to find new homes for as many cats as possible.
“We are currently seeing what we believe is a delayed response to the pandemic. We are caring for a high number of animals at the moment, specifically cats, due to a number of reasons including larger numbers of animals surrendered to our Inspectorate and fewer people adopting as they make the most of being able to travel.”
“More cats are coming to us through councils and there has been fewer reclaims of lost and straying cats by their owners, which means our capacity to care for more animals is greatly impacted.”
“To make sure we can rehabilitate more animals we need people to adopt cats from us,” said Dr Baker. “If compassionate people adopt a cat from us now, they will be helping that individual animal and helping us care for other animals in need.”
RSPCA Victoria is urging anyone considering cat adoption to make the most of the CatPacity promotion and visit the website to view the cats who are ready to find a new home. While walk-in appointments are welcome, they are subject to availability, so people are encouraged to make an appointment online at https://rspcavic.org/catpacity
During the two-day CatPacity campaign, adoption fees will be $29, and all cats and kittens come microchipped, desexed, vaccinated, and behaviour and health checked.
Dr Baker said that despite the low adoption prices, the experienced RSPCA staff will follow the same careful process to ensure every adoption placement is the right decision for the animal and their new owner.
“Our adoptions staff will make sure to understand a potential adopter’s lifestyle and match them with a cat to ensure a long and happy life match.”
RSPCA Victoria cares for over 9,000 cats and kittens across its five shelters every year. Adoption promotions help those considering pet adoption to make the decision at the right time.
The ‘CatPacity’ adoption promotion will run at all RSPCA Victoria sites and participating Petbarn stores.
RSPCA Victoria animal adoption locations: Burwood East, Peninsula, Epping Animal Welfare Facility, Warrnambool and Wangaratta.
Participating Petbarn stores: Box Hill, Caroline Springs, Chadstone, Chirnside Park, Coburg, Craigieburn, Eltham, Ferntree Gully, Fountain Gate, Frankston, Hoppers Crossing, Kangaroo Flat, Malvern, Maribyrnong, Mentone, Narre Warren, Nunawading, Preston, Ringwood, South Morang, South Yarra, Sunbury, Warragul and Waurn Ponds.
