RSPCA needs your help to ‘Clear The Shelters’ with $29 adoptions this weekend

The RSPCA is on a mission to ‘Clear the Shelters’ this weekend (21-23 February 2020) with adoption fees reduced to $29 for all animals great and small in care across the country.

The organisation aims to rehome as many animals as possible over the three-day adoption drive starting this Friday.

Last year, a whopping 2,654 animals, totalling 90% of any animals in our care, found their furever homes across the country.

“This weekend we want people looking for a new family member to consider adopting, not shopping, for their newest family member,” says Ashley Stephenson, RSPCA NSW General Manager Animal Care Services.

NSW has over 700 animals available for adoption, including puppies, dogs, kittens, cats and pocket pets like bunnies, guinea pigs and tiny mice, turkeys, duck and chickens, Charlie the Miniature Horse and Sheepy the sheep will be looking for their forever homes.

“Some animals, such as Kevin the Great Dane, did not find a forever home last time. We are hoping this year is his lucky year!”

Although adoption fees will be drastically reduced, normal adoption procedures will apply to ensure every animal is matched with the right family. This includes one-on-one meetings with prospective adoptive parents and future fur-siblings. The animals will have already been desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and undergone veterinary checks and behavioural assessments.

Research (source 1, source 2, source 3) confirms that there is no negative effect on the welfare of animals adopted for reduced prices. The long-term success of adoptions is not influenced by the cost of acquiring the animal and there is no negative effect on their welfare. RSPCA NSW has run this promotion since 2016, and results from surveys conducted by RSPCA NSW six months after this promotion support these findings.

Even though the $29 adoption fee does not come close to covering the cost of treating and caring for the animals, you can’t put a price on finding forever homes for animals in need.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing animals that have been in our care for months on end finally finding a loving home. It’s a positive outcome for all involved. Not only can these animals find new homes and families far sooner, it means that we are able to put more time and effort into caring for animals that desperately need our help”, said Stephenson.

Visit our website to find your nearest shelter, Care Centre or Petbarn Adoption Centre and visit rspcansw.org.au/adopt to view all the animals available for adoption.

Pre-register now to fast track your adoption process on the day.

High-res images of just some of the animals up for adoption are available for download here.

For more information, or an interview with a RSPCA NSW spokesperson, please contact RSPCA NSW Media: 0488 905 353 or media@rspcansw.org.au