Mackay housing crisis affecting cats and dogs across the region
The housing crisis is impacting people all across Mackay - but the effect on some four-legged tenants has been overlooked.
Mackay
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The housing crisis in Mackay is affecting more than just its two-legged residents.
RSPCA Mackay animal attendant Michelle McGregor said accommodation shortages in the area were impacting the number of adoptions, and sadly, the number of pets being surrendered.
“We’ve seen an increase in people needing to surrender their pets because they can’t find accommodation,” Mrs McGregor said.
“It’s pretty painful.”
Mrs McGregor said even when people could find appropriate housing, some pet owners had struggled with the price and logistics of moving, often including the need to pay double rent to secure a home.
“We had some people come in recently and they had to move into a motel room between houses,” she said.
“They couldn’t afford to put their pet into boarding so they had to give it up.
“We’re seeing more people having to sacrifice their pets, they’re not wanting to do it.
“Everyone’s very upset.”
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Mrs McGregor said on top of surrenders, adoptions have also slowed down.
“Normally we have about one adoption a day,” she said.
“We only had 19 last month.”
Surprisingly, Mrs McGregor said dog adoptions at the Mackay RSPCA had been steady but people had been less inclined to take home cats.
And when people did come in for feline companions, some are favoured more than others.
“Some cats come in and just go straight back out, others come and they stay for a while,” Mrs McGregor said.
“Blue eyes and gingers we have no trouble rehoming.
“Tabbies, tortoise shell and black cats are harder.”
Mrs McGregor said they were encouraging anyone looking for a pet to come and see them, especially if they were open to cats.
“We even have a promotion Operation Wanted running at the moment,” Ms McGregor said.
“People can get 20 per cent off desexing and microchipping for cats and dogs at participating vets from June 1 to August 31.”
For more information on adopting from Mackay RSPCA, click here.
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