The RSPCA is slashing adoption costs in a mission to reduce the number of pets in NSW shelters, with animal lovers able to take home a pet for just $29.
The three-day sale begins on Friday, November 3, and will see hundreds of hopeful animals across the state find their ‘forever home’ without hefty adoption costs.
RSPCA NSW told Daily Mail Australia there are more than 300 animals available, with the number possibly due to increase as some are brought back from foster care and cleared for adoption.
NSW residents will be able to adopt a range of pets, including more than 100 dogs, 60 puppies, 60 cats and kittens, 50 domestic birds, seven ducks and chickens, ten guinea pigs and three ferrets.
RSPCA NSW Senior Manager of Animal Operations Kasey Bridge said the adoption drive is a great way for animals a forever home and Aussies to find a ‘forever friend’.
RSPCA NSW is slashing adoption costs to $29 for all animals across the state in an attempt to find them a ‘forever home’ (pictured, ‘Handsome Hansel’ located at the RSPCA NSW Coffs Harbour shelter)
NSW residents will be able to adopt a range of animals including dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, birds, ducks and pocket pets including guinea pigs, ferrets and rabbits (pictured, four-year-old Domestic Short Hair cat Frasier available at the RSPCA NSW Sydney Adoption centre)
‘With animals staying with us longer than ever before, it’s imperative that we shine a light on their incredible personalities and do everything we can to help them find their forever homes,’ Ms Bridge said.
‘Adoption drives like this are a great way to help people who have been thinking about adopting, find their forever friend.’
Although adoption fees will be drastically reduced, normal adoption procedures will apply to ensure each animal is matched with the right family.
Those who wish to adopt an animal will have a one-on-one with their prospective pet as well as a meeting with other animals living inside their future home.
One such pet is ‘Handsome Hansel’ an Australian Cattle Dog and Greyhound mix who has been patiently waiting for adoption for over 452 days.
Guinea pig Barney is also available for adoption at the RSPCA NSW Central West shelter.
The seven-month-old pocket pet has been described as having a fabulous hairstyle and personality to match.
There are also many older animals including bonded pair Taylor and TJ at the RSPCA NSW Sydney Adoption centre.
The two dogs are an affectionate duo looking for home where they can spend their ‘senior years’ playing and cuddle up together for the rest of their days.
Bonded pair Taylor (left) and TJ (right) at the RSPCA NSW Sydney Adoption centre are an affectionate duo looking for a forever home where they can spend their ‘senior years’
Ms Bridge said the adoption drive allows animals to find a new home sooner while allowing the shelters to focus on 1,214 animals that require in-care treatment.
‘These adoption-ready animals [can] find new homes and families far sooner,’ Ms Bridge said.
‘It also means that we can focus on the other 1,214 animals that are currently at various stages of their in-care journey such as protective custody, emergency boarding, foster care and awaiting veterinary procedures or treatment.’
‘It is also crucial that we create space to prioritise animals that come into our care through our inspectorate.
‘At any given moment, we could have over 100 animals that have experienced cruelty come through our doors.’
Ms Bridge added the low $29 adoption fee does not ‘come remotely close’ to the RSCPA’s overhead costs but said seeing an animal find a home is ‘more rewarding’.
‘Although $29 does not come remotely close to covering the cost of treating and caring for these animals,’ Ms Bridge said.
‘There is nothing more rewarding than seeing animals that have been in our care for months or years on end, finally finding a loving home. It really is a positive outcome for all involved.’
Seven-month-old guinea pig Barney is also available for adoption at the RSPCA NSW Central West shelter (pictured)
The animal welfare group debuted their ‘clear the shelters’ sale in 2017, which saw a record 90 per cent of NSW animals successfully re-homed.
A study conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 2011 confirmed long-term success of adoptions is not influenced by the cost of acquiring the animal.
RSPCA NSW has run many reduced-price adoption drives, and results from surveys conducted by RSPCA NSW six months after promotions like this, support these findings.
In the 2022 financial year, the RSPCA received a total of 94,828 animals nationwide including 19,221 dogs and 35,571 cats.