Rules for adopting pets during COVID-19 revealed as RSPCA applications skyrocket
Stuck-at-home animal lovers have been using lockdown to open their hearts and homes to abandoned pets. Shelters are reporting a spike in rescues but some cats and dogs — including this beauty in Dandenong South — are still searching for love.
South East
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Animal adoptions are on the rise amid the coronavirus lockdown, with rescuers claiming the crisis to be the “best time” to pick up a new pet.
The RSPCA received a whopping 1600 applications from Victorians looking to find their fur-ever friend between April 20-27, but Head of Operations Teagan McPherson said the team was working hard to make sure people were committed for the long haul.
“Restrictions do mean Victorians are spending a lot more at time at home so it’s a great opportunity to settle a new pet into the household,” she told Leader.
“(But) when you adopt an animal, you adopt them for life.”
Australian Animal Protection Society communications officer Charlie Keele said the Dandenong South-based rescue group rehomed double the amount of cats and dogs last month.
She said the lockdown was a perfect opportunity for people to spend extra time to help their new pet settle with its new family and address any behavioural concerns.
“Adoptions at AAPS have gone gangbusters, with 82 of our animals finding a new owner this month,” she said.
“Sometimes if a dog jumps a lot, people would say they can’t handle it, and hand them back.
“But now the pets can settle and people have more time to look through (the behaviour) properly and see what they can do (to address it).”
Ms Keele said despite the huge adoption numbers the shelter still had plenty of loving animals looking for a companion.
“When our numbers go down, we check our list of people looking to surrender and reach out to shelters that have animals they can’t care for,” she said.
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Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell confirmed Victorians could not be fined for leaving the house to pick up an adopted animal.
He said people should maintain appropriate physical distancing and sanitisation measures during a visit to a shelter.
“(Victorians) may leave your home for reasons including the maintenance, care or rescue of animals,” he told Leader.
“You may pick up a pet, but you should ask yourself, is it absolutely necessary to bring a new pet into your home at this time?’
‘In any case, if you are self-isolating for coronavirus you must follow the direction of health authorities, and stay at home.”