Animal Welfare League Queensland rehomed 87 cats and dogs with weekend special

AWL rehomed three times the animals they do on an average weekend when they asked adopters to name their price. So how much did they go for?

Travis Tawa-Graves with Niko a Staffy Cattle dog at AWL. Pic: David Clark

SOME adoptive pet owners proved more generous than others over the weekend when the Animal Welfare League Queensland invited people to pay as they pleased to take home a pet in a bid to clear overflowing shelters.

A total of 87 cats and dogs were rehomed, fetching prices up to $350, while a couple of pups sold for as little as $20.

The average nominated price was around $200, still a bargain with people usually paying around $240 to rehome a dog.

AWL communications manager Brooke Whitney said the Name Your Price campaign was definitely a success, rehoming around three times the number of pets they would on an average weekend.

Lightning, a Bull Arab dog who is deaf as well and would also love a home. Pic: David Clark

She said it was a relief that people didn’t take advantage of the offer too much, with a cost of around $500 for desexing, microchipping and vaccinations associated with making each an animal available for adoption.

“Some were very generous and it was good to see people acknowledge that it does cost us to rehome these animals,” she said. “The campaign is getting really good feedback and people are really excited to see the animals they have been watching online go home after such a long time, because we’ve had some animals here since November.”

Arundel resident Chrys Tawa was among those who visited the shelter with her son Travis Tawa-Graves, 9, in the hope of finding a new cat or dog.

Photos — pets for adoption

“I think it’s great to get an animal from the shelter because you know they are well vetted and looked after,” she said.

“If you go to a breeder you can’t guarantee that and the people here know a lot about each animal so they can tell you about their personality.

“Travis loves coming and looking at the animals because he really wants another cat or dog for his birthday in July.”