We can't stray away

NEARLY 300 more pets have been adopted from the RSPCA since its Wacol centre started operations.

NEW FRIENDS: Annette Yates of Roadvale and friend Lee Ward and her newly adopted cats, Skid and Possum. . Picture: David Nielsen

NEARLY 300 more pets have been adopted from the RSPCA since its Wacol centre started operations.

From April 1 to September 29 this year 293 more cats and dogs were adopted than in the same period in 2011 when the RSPCA was based in Fairfield, Brisbane.

In those six months in 2011, 479 dogs and 345 cats were adopted from the RSPCA; while in the same period in 2012 605 dogs and 512 cats were adopted.

RSPCA media spokesman Michael Beatty said the new site allowed for the RSPCA to run better campaigns for adoption.

"From our new location we're able to better run adoption programs," he said.

"The place is a lot more people-friendly as well as animal friendly too.

"It's a lot more welcoming to not just the animals there, but the people coming in as well."

Roadvale couple Annette and Jock Yates adopted two cats from the RSPCA Animal Care Campus in Wacol earlier this week.

Despite having adopted previous cats from shelters Mrs Yates said she'd never seen anything like the Wacol centre.

"It's a fantastic place," she said.

"We've adopted cats from friends and neighbours as well as from an Animal Welfare League shelter in Sydney, and they were nothing like the one at Wacol.

"We went there to adopt two cats to keep each other company, and walked out with Possum and Skid."

Mr Beatty said the increase in cat and dog numbers was a good sign for the RSPCA.

"We've never had a problem adopting out kittens and puppies, they've always been quite popular, so it's great that the numbers are up for older cats and dogs too."

Busy Times

• Almost 300 extra dogs and cats were adopted from the RSCPA Wacol in the six months leading up to October than last year.
• The new facilities at Wacol have also allowed the RSPCA to accept more wildlife rescues.

Originally published as We can't stray away