Media releases

“Our animals need you” – RSPCA SA urges support for Give to Get Them Home

With traditionally the busiest months ahead and increasing numbers of animals coming into care, RSPCA South Australia is calling on animal lovers to dig deep next Thursday October 5 for its biggest, nationwide one-day fundraiser – Give to Get Them Home.

Now in its fifth year, the appeal offers a one-day window – starting at 5am – in which everyone who donates via the dedicated website will automatically see it doubled, thanks to dollar-matching partners Peter Alexander, Elanco, Royal Canin and generous local donors.

According to RSPCA SA CEO Marcus Gehrig, this year’s appeal is well timed and much needed.

“We’ve currently got around 600 animals in care, either in our shelters or in supported foster care, and some of these animals are requiring extensive veterinary care and behaviour work before they pass our assessments for rehoming,” Marcus said.

“So of those 600 animals, only around 150 (or 25%) are actually available to adopt right now. The others aren’t available yet due to a range of reasons, including being too young to desex, being under vet care or being the subject of ongoing prosecutions.

“Cost of living pressures and the chronic shortage of rental properties that allow pets is resulting in more animals coming to us. We need a funding boost to get through the demanding summer months and to help animals progress through recovery and rehabilitation so they can find homes.”

The one-day appeal next Thursday is happening the day after World Animal Day, created by an animal loving writer in Germany almost 100 years ago to inspire actions that have positive impacts on animals around the world.

“This year’s theme for World Animal Day is ‘Great or Small, Love Them All’, and that is what RSPCA is all about, both in our rescue and care of multiple species and in our advocacy work,” Marcus said.

“We cared for over 9,000 animals last financial year, rehomed a record 6,102 animals and our rescue team assisted 1700 animals, from ducklings down drains, cats in trees, pelicans tangled in fishing line and everything in between.

“It’s all vital work, but it’s also costly, and I urge South Australians to get behind us next Thursday when – for one day – they can enjoy seeing their generous donation instantly doubled to help our state’s most vulnerable animals.”

Donations during the one-day appeal can be made online at https://www.rspcagivingday.com/sa or via telephone on 1300 777 221.

(In order to be doubled, donations must be made via the appeal’s dedicated website.)

The appeal begins NEXT THURSDAY – October 5 – at 5am and ends at midnight.

Found starving and abandoned in a Port Pirie house in May, Kim went to a new home last month during the first dog adoption pop-up event at RSPCA’s West Lakes Adoption Hub.

Kim’s new family have told RSPCA SA’s dog-care team that “She seems to be really happy, is a quick learner, loves everyone she meets – and she’s not leaving us anytime soon!”