RSPCA WA is hoping the luck of the Irish will rub off on more than 55 animals looking for homes during a special St Paw-trick’s Day adoption drive this weekend.
The animals available include Shamrock the cat, Siobhan the rabbit and Cabbage the guinea pig.
The animal welfare organisation is bursting at the seams with cats, rabbits and guinea pigs who will all be at low or no-fee adoption rates on Saturday and Sunday.
RSPCA WA Shelter manager Emily Farrell said the animals looking for a new home have been in care for a combined 12 and a half years.
“It’s time they were in loving homes with a family to call their own, and we need the space for the animals always waiting in the wings who need rescuing and rehabilitating,” Ms Farrell said.
“Animal shelters across Perth are full right now and unfortunately we’re seeing pets waiting longer than usual to find a home.”
RSPCA WA data shows a third of all recent requests to surrender pets are linked to housing and cost of living issues and Ms Farrell said two recent large-scale cat cases also helped fill up the cattery.
“We’ve had two cases this year where cat numbers in people’s homes have become unmanageable, so we stepped in to help, taking 37 cats from one location and 41 from another,” she said.
This weekend, 16 and 17 March, all cats over three months old will be $33 and guinea pigs and rabbits will be free.
Ms Farrell said prospective adopters will be subject to the same suitability checks as always.
“Importantly, our data shows that the price of acquiring an animal has no influence on the long-term success of adoption or welfare outcomes,” she said.
It’s hoped the reduced fees will help rehome long-termers like Bailey, who has been waiting for a family for over 415 days.
“Bailey came into care with a group of friends and she has watched them all leave while she still waits patiently at the shelter for over a year,” Ms Farrell said.
“If you’ve been thinking about adopting a cat, rabbit or guinea pig, this weekend is the paw-fect time to find your new best friend.”
To view animals available for adoption, go to rspcawa.org.au. Face painting for children and a coffee van will be at the RSPCA WA shelter at 108 Malaga Drive, Malaga on Saturday.
Animals are available for viewing between 9am to 4pm Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May. Reduced adoption fees do not apply to dogs, or kittens under three months old. Normal adoption procedures apply, and all animals are desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.
