PETstock National Pet Adoption Day - Take along a lead and adopt a pet.
On Sunday 4th February 2018, pet rescue organisations will visit PETstock stores across Australia with homeless animals in order to help them find families who will give them a safe home and love them unconditionally.
PETstock run a charity foundation named PETstock Assist in partnership with the non-profit organisation, PetRescue, with the aim to raise awareness about pet adoptions and owning a pet. This is part of National Pet Adoption Day.
Who could resist this look?
Every year, people buy pets as Christmas presents without really looking into the needs that these pets have. As a result, there is a large influx into pet refuge homes each New Year after people realise this is a big commitment, and they are not really suited to, or just do not want the work of owning a pet.
Every year, approximately 200,000 healthy pets find themselves homeless in Australia's pounds and shelters and this is a figure that PETstock is working hard at reducing. The PETstock Chief Executive Officer, Shane Young, said
"if just one in five pet seekers chose to adopt a pet instead of shop, we could end pet homelessness in Australia".
It is their goal that every pet in a rescue home will find their forever home. Through their efforts, PETstock have now reduced these figures and more and more people are now rescuing a pet rather than buying one. This, in turn, will also eventually stamp out puppy farms which are such a cruel practice. However, they still have a long way to go to make those pet rescue places fairly empty!
At the last year's National Pet Adoption Day, there were more than 500 pets who found loving homes and they hope to increase this figure in 2018. You only have to visit one of your local pet rescue shelters to see the adorable pets waiting for someone to give a good home, where they will be loved, fed, and looked after.
This is a photo of a greyhound I rescued from certain death some years ago - he was big and he had the most delightful nature - my original dog snapped at him every time he came near him, and that "Big Grey" just stood there, not fighting back and just being patient.
We called him HORSE
At Pet Adoption Day, you will be surprised at the types of animals available as there is plenty of choice in size, type, breed and ages when you attend this event.
The good thing about adoption is that people can adopt a pet who is perfect fit for them - the shelters will be able to explain all about their temperament, their behaviour and personality, so you know in advance exactly what you are getting. This is great if you do not want to start off with a newborn puppy or kitten. You will also not need to do the same amount of training with an older pet, however, these shelters do also have puppies and kittens should you prefer to start from scratch.
Adopted pets are generally very loving and can give unconditional and unlimited love to their owners, as well as gratitude for their new, safe home. All the pets I have had have made great lifelong companions and can teach children the importance of responsibility.
All the pets from a rescue home are de-sexed, vaccinated and treated for parasites as well as having had a thorough health check by a qualified vet and a personality assessment.
There are several reasons why rescue animals make a great pet, and some of these include:
They are already trained – most rescue pets have been in a home and they come toilet trained and with basic training, so you do not have to start from scratch and learn all the ins and outs of training a very young animal.
You know beforehand what you are getting into, as grown animals already have developed their personalities and are generally less destructive than a very young animal. You do still, however, need patience on occasions, as can be seen by this mess that greeted me when I got home the other day - and I now have old dogs!
Who did it?
Abandoned pets have a great deal of love to give as they are anxious to become part of a loving pack and will bond with the family as soon as they feel safe.
For more information, visit
PETstock or
PetRescue.
This event will be on at all PETstock stores around Perth and to find out where your nearest one is, go to their website above or go to this
PETstock page for more information on their programme.
