As part of the upcoming National Pet Adoption Day, the Yarra Ranges community is being urged to learn more about the importance of pet adoption.
To help raise awareness, PETstock Lilydale will be hosting local pet rescue organisations on Sunday 5 February between 10am to 2pm.
The event is a chance for locals to enjoy a cuddle with some rescue pets in-store or to follow up with their local pet rescue groups to find an adorable pet in need of a forever home.
PetsRescue Co-Founder, Vickie Davy, said pets of all types, sizes, breeds and ages could end up in rescue through no fault of their own – including more unusual pets such as ferrets, pigs, rats, mice, racing pigeons and even pet snakes.
“Our goal is to turn heartbreak into hope for orphaned pets. If just one in five pet seekers chose to adopt a pet instead of shop, we could end pet homelessness Australia-wide,” Ms Davy said.
Every year, about 230,000 healthy pets remain unclaimed in Australia’s pounds and shelters.
That’s roughly 110,000 dogs and 120,000 cats left homeless each year, facing an uncertain future.
It’s estimated that more than 100,000 pets were killed in pounds nationally last year.
