2017 National Pet Adoption Day

2017 National Pet Adoption Day

Adopt don't shop! Make adoption the first choice for Victorian rescue pets

Rescue pet organisations will visit PETstock stores in Victoria on Sunday 5 February 2017 between 10am-2pm, to raise awareness of pet adoption as part of National Pet Adoption Day.

The initiative, led by PETstock's charity foundation PETstock Assist, in partnership with not-for-profit animal rescue organisation PetRescue, seeks to find lifelong and loving homes for all homeless pets across Australia.

Benefits of pet adoption:
Adopting allows people to find a pet most suited to their age, lifestyle and living arrangements.
All adopted pets across Australia are de-sexed, vaccinated and treated for parasites as well as having undergone a comprehensive veterinary and behaviour assessment.
By welcoming a rescue pet into your home you are most likely saving a life.
Your rescue pet will thank you every day with unlimited love and affection.
Adopted pets make great companions for people living alone.
Older pets can be less active, have passed the excitable and destructive phase and are often house-trained and toilet trained.

Every year, approximately 230,000* healthy pets remain unclaimed in Australia's pounds and shelters. That's roughly 110,000 dogs and 120,000 cats left homeless each year facing an uncertain future.

It's estimated that more than 100,000 pets were killed in pounds nationally last year.

PetRescue Co-Founder, Vickie Davy, said pets of all types, sizes, breeds and ages can end up in rescue through no fault of their own – including more unusual pets such as ferrets, pigs, rats, mice, racing pigeons and even pet snakes.

'Our goal is to turn heartbreak into hope for orphaned pets. If just one in five pet seekers chose to adopt a pet instead of shop, we could end pet homelessness Australia wide," Ms Davy said.

'More often than not we see pet owners who care deeply about their pets, but due to changes in circumstances that are beyond their control, they reluctantly have to surrender their pet.

'Animals who find themselves homeless are still good pets. Most commonly, it is the owner's change in lifestyle that results in pets becoming abandoned, as opposed to behavioural issues with the animal."

PETstock Chief Executive Officer, Shane Young, said National Pet Adoption Day encourages Australians to consider giving a rescue pet a forever home.

'PetRescue figures show the adoption of pets is increasing 38 per cent year-on-year, demonstrating how saving every homeless pet in Australia is possible. Last National Pet Adoption Day saw at least 400 pets find forever homes and we're hoping to increase on this figure this February."

'Adopting a pet is a hugely rewarding decision that can ultimately save the life of an animal in need. All it takes is for pet seekers to make the ethical choice of adopting, rather than purchasing from a pet shop or breeder to find homes for our nation's homeless pets," Mr Young said.

Before joining their forever family, adopted pets are de-sexed, vaccinated and treated for parasites as well as having undergone a comprehensive veterinary and behaviour assessment.

Ms Davy quit her corporate job 11 years ago to launch PetRescue.com.au, which connects animal welfare organisations and their rescue pets with those looking to add a new member to their family. The site has grown to become the most visited charity website in Australia and has saved the lives of countless dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even horses. Since PetRescue was founded in 2004, more than 385,000 rescue pets have been re-homed nationwide, including 64,000 in 2016 to date.

 

For more information, visit PETstock.com.au or PetRescue.com.au