Media releases

All animals just $29 as RSPCA calls on community to open hearts and homes

A cat found last week, trapped inside a birdcage in a vacant house with no food or water, will be among the animals hoping to connect with a potential adopter able to provide a good home during RSPCA’s upcoming Clear the Shelter campaign.

The annual, nationwide adoption event begins at RSPCA shelters across the country tomorrow and ends on Sunday. Last year, 2,654 animals in RSPCA’s care found new homes over the three days – 249 in South Australia.

This is the third year RSPCA South Australia has run the event and there will be more than 360 animals up for adoption – all of them for the drastically reduced adoption fee of just $29. There will be approximately 70 cats, 250 kittens, 25 dogs, 15 rabbits and 2 guinea pigs hoping to go to new homes.

All dogs, cats and rabbits available to adopt are desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, and all animals are vet-checked.

According to RSPCA South Australia’s Head of Animal Operations Tim Charles, the goal is to match every animal with people who are going to provide the kind of love and care many did not experience with their previous owners.

“Alot of our animals have been let down by humans,” Mr Charles said.

“For some, it’s taken months of veterinary and behavioural care to help them heal, both physically and psychologically, from the harm caused by neglect.

“But animals can teach us a lot about resilience, and nothing makes us happier than watching animals that have suffered, connect with people who genuinely care about animals and know how to look after them.”

RSPCA South Australia Rescue Officer Brigitte Pitman is hoping such a person meets the cat she rescued from a northern suburbs home last week. She found the one-year-old female tabby, named Peggy by RSPCA South Australia’s cat care team, in a cardboard box with a birdcage pushed over the top.

The property’s owner said the tenants had moved out a week ago, but that the cat may have been left in the laundry (where she was found) the previous night by someone who gained access by breaking in through the back door.

“To leave an animal trapped in a cage without any food or water is beyond most people’s understanding,” Ms Pitman said.

“There is no doubt this beautiful animal would have died if she had not been found in time.

“She is the sweetest thing, so affectionate and loves to smooch – I’m sure she’s going to win someone’s heart this weekend.”

(Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the cat’s discovery. Abandoning an animal is an offence under South Australia’s Animal Welfare Act, and anyone found guilty of such offence can face up to 2 years imprisonment or a $20,000 fine.)

All three of RSPCA South Australia’s shelters – located at Lonsdale, Whyalla and Port Lincoln – are participating in the event. This weekend’s reduced adoption fee will also apply at RSPCA PetVille at Hillcrest, PetStock in Port Lincoln and seven Petbarn stores located across the metropolitan area (details below).

Although the RSPCA is drastically reducing adoption fees, normal adoption procedures will apply to help staff match animals with the right families. This includes behavioural assessments and one-onones with prospective adoptive parents and future fur-siblings.

RSPCA South Australia staff will be on-hand to provide practical advice about the animal’s temperament and care needs, and follow-up advice after adoption if needed.

Further information about caring for animals is available on RSPCA’s knowledgebase.

Peggy came into RSPCA SA’s care on Thursday 13 February after being discovered inside a birdcage at a vacated house.

 

Clear the Shelter

Friday 21 Feb to Sunday 23 Feb 2020

Taking place at the following locations and times:

RSPCA South Australia – 25 Meyer Road, Lonsdale
Friday: 10am to 4pm
Sat/Sun: 10am to 2pm
ph: 1300 4 777 22

RSPCA Animal Care Centre – 22 Windsor Ave, Port Lincoln
Friday: 9:30am to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 12pm (closed Sunday)
Ph: 08) 8682 3016 (during opening hours)

RSPCA animal shelter – 7 Cook Street, Whyalla Norrie
Friday: 12pm to 4pm
Saturday: 10am to 12pm (closed Sunday)
Ph: 08) 8644 0172 (during opening hours)

RSPCA PetVille – 345 North-East Rd, Hillcrest
Friday: 9am to 6pm
Sat: 9am to 5pm
Sun: 11am to 5pm
ph: (08) 8266 6582

https://www.rspcapetville.com.au/

Petbarns

• Hendon (kittens only) – 113-115 Tapleys Hill Rd, Hendon. Ph 7087 2216
• Holden Hill – 1/578 North East Road, Holden Hill. Ph 7087 2225
• Melrose Park (kittens only) – Melrose Plaza – 9/1031 South Rd, Melrose Park. Ph 7087 2229
• Mile End (kittens only) – 122-138 Railway Tce – Homemaker Centre, Mile End. Ph 8351 8130
• Noarlunga (kittens only) – 84 Dyson Rd, Noarlunga Centre. Ph 7087 2219
• Norwood (kittens only) – 31 The Parade, Norwood. Ph 8363 3255
• Prospect (kittens only) – 3/252 Churchill Rd, Prospect. Ph 7087 2222

High-res images of some of the animals available to adopt from RSPCA during Clear the Shelter (including a short video of Peggy) can be downloaded HERE.