March is National Pet Adoption Month for PETstock and the Lilydale store is getting ready to help match rescued pets with a human that’s been eagerly waiting for a furry friend.
The initiative led by PETstock Assist has helped keep pets homed and safe from being killed as a way of managing stray animals.
Over the past few years, the pet adoption landscape has experienced dramatic yet positive changes. Now, with thousands of Australians claiming the pet parent title, the industry is facing new challenges, where thousands of cats and kittens remain homeless.
Every year 80,000 urban stray cats are killed by councils as a way of managing unowned animals.
According to PetRescue, killing cats has the opposite effect as the remaining cats produce larger, healthier litters due to less competition for food sources.
PETstock Assist’s Charity and Events Lead Jessica Curtis said after seven national adoption initiatives, it’s important to review current trends within the landscape so the organisation can continue, as a nation, to break the cycle of pet homelessness in Australia.
“The pet adoption landscape changes rapidly, and this year we’re seeing more cats available for adoption compared to other animals, closely followed by large dogs and bonded pairs – animals that have entered rescue together and need to be adopted together,” Jessica said.
As always, PETstock Assist is encouraging Australians to Adopt Different this March and shift their thinking towards how they can make more sustainable choices, remove unfair biases towards pet adoption and address the crisis at hand by considering a pet that is most in need.
“Growing your family to include an adopted cat, large dog or bonded pair will not only enrich your life, but also the life of the adopted pet by offering them a safe and loving environment to thrive in,” Jessica said.
“If you’re not able to adopt, there are several ways that you can help solve pet homelessness in Australia. By fostering or volunteering at your local rescue group, you’re not only providing a safe place or care for an animal in need but you’re also creating space for stray animals seeking shelter.”
By donating in store throughout March, you will be supporting PETstock Assist and helping them continue their rescue initiatives.
PetRescue Co-Founder Vickie Davy said while they often take a back seat in adoptions compared to dogs, cats make fantastic pets, which is why, together with PETstock Assist, they’re on a mission to educate people on the benefits of adopting or fostering a cat.
“PetRescue has more than 36,000 cats listed for adoption annually, and of those, 92 per cent will work well with families with dogs and 82 per cent of cats can go to families with children under the age of five years old,” Vickie said.
“Every cat has a unique personality, and they love their humans just as much as dogs do. Cat adopters are often surprised how quickly they form a special bond – it’s almost as though they know you’ve saved their life.
“We hope at the end of March, that together we’ve made a change in the very big and very real issue at hand.”
For more details on PETstock Assist’s National Pet Adoption Month visit petstock.com.au in March.
Lilydale community members are encouraged to head into selected stores on Saturday 19 March to meet rescue pets available for adoption or fostering.
