Michaela Meade
RSPCA Victoria is hoping to find cats and rabbits new fur-ever homes with a new adoption promotion.
The ‘New Year, New Home’ promotion will run across four RSPCA Victoria sites, including at the Epping Animal Welfare Facility, and includes reduced adoption fees for the furry friends.
All adult rabbit adoption fees will be reduced from $68 and cat adoption fees will be reduced from $120.
All senior cats (over 10 years old) and rabbits (over five years old) will continue to have their adoption fees waived.
RSPCA Victoria’s operations head Tanya Drakopoulos said small animals such as rabbits and cats make engaging and affectionate pets.
“They may be small, but rabbits and cats are colourful characters with big personalities,” she said.
“They have just as much love to give as dogs, if their owners focus on building a strong bond and caring for them properly by giving them all they need for a rich and rewarding life.
“Sadly, many people buy rabbits and cats under the guise that they are low maintenance, however they are naturally active, social, curious and intelligent animals who require as much care as other pets.”
According to RSPCA Victoria, 226 rabbits and 671 cats were surrendered to its animal care centres last year.
The most common reason reported by owners for surrender was not having enough time to care for the animal, RSPCA said.
“We see a lot of rabbits and cats come through our Inspectorate because people do not invest the time or energy that is needed to care for them properly,” Ms Drakopoulos said.
“Spending quality time with pets is one of the best ways to build a bond and have a meaningful relationship with these special animals.
“Equally important is ensuring cats and rabbits have all of the fundamental freedoms to live a happy and healthy life including adequate space, food, enrichment, and the company of other desexed animals.”
The organisation said the adoption process would continue matching each animal with the right family throughout the promotion.
The process ensures families meet the specific behavioural and environmental needs of the relevant animal.
RSPCA Victoria said all rabbits and cats adopted from the organisation are health checked, microchipped, vaccinated and desexed.
The promotion will run until Tuesday, January 18.
Details: rspcavic.org
