March is the perfect time to find your fur-ever friend as PETstock Pakenham hosts its annual National Pet Adoption Month.
Pet Adoption Month is an initiative led by PETstock Assist to help change the lives of rescue pets in need of a permanent or temporary home, and of humans eagerly awaiting their perfect match.
Every year 80,000 urban stray cats are killed by councils as a way of managing unowned animals.
PETstock Assist’s charity and events lead Jessica Curtis said it was important 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,” she said.
Morning TV weatherman and animal welfare advocate Sam Mac has joined forces with PETstock Assist to help the thousands of homeless animals across the country find a place to call home, with his two rescue cats, Coco and Cleocatra, sitting proudly by his side.
“My cats are so unimpressed by everything I do,“ Sam said.
“They sit there with solemn looks on their faces, judging my every move but there’s something about their nonchalance that I find so hilarious.
“There’s a reason cats dominate the internet; they make us laugh.“
He said the day he found Coco at the shelter, he fell in love.
“I believe that deep down they know you’ve given them a second chance at life, and they’ll repay you forever,“ Sam said.
People can donate in store throughout March to support 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.
“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,” she said.
“Cat adopters are often surprised how quickly they form a special bond – it’s almost as though they know you’ve saved their life.“
For more details on PETstock Assist’s National Pet Adoption Month visit petstock.com.au in March.
Community members are encouraged to head into selected stores on Saturday 19 March to meet rescue pets available for adoption or fostering.
