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The RSPCA Animals That Could Be Yours For Just $29 This Weekend

Item: The RSPCA Animals That Could Be Yours For Just $29 This Weekend
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Author: Glam Adelaide

By Glam Adelaide

Posted on February 20, 2020

This is the third year RSPCA South Australia has run the event and there will be more than 360 animals up for adoption, all for the reduced fee of just $29.

Pictured: Carter and Jello, both up for adoption

RSPCA’s annual, nationwide, three-day adoption event is beginning tomorrow, with all animals available for just $29 as the community is called 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.

Last year, 2,654 animals in RSPCA’s care found new homes over the three days, with 249 of these 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,” Charles says.

“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.

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

“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.

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-on- ones 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.