Shelter’s kitties lose out to dogs in owners’ hearts

By Sarah Schwager
CASEY families have become pet happy over the school holidays.
Last week there were 38 dogs housed at RSPCA Peninsula in Pearcedale but over the weekend that number reduced to eight.
The animal shelter has problems adopting out animals throughout the year, particularly cats and kittens.
Acting adoptions officer Crystal Morrison said dogs were often abandoned during winter.
“People don’t want to walk them in the cold or deal with their muddy paws,” Ms Morrison said.
But she said it had been a brilliant weekend for adopting out dogs.
“We have more success during the school holidays than any other time of the year,” she said.
“But it is still surprising during winter.”
The shelter still has between 30 and 40 adult cats that they have been unable to adopt out.
Ms Morrison said their animal numbers would soon increase, with the kitten season to start in a couple of months and the quarantine area quite full.
Animals are held in quarantine for eight days to allow the owners to contact them.
Ms Morrison said smaller dogs tended to get adopted out quicker than the bigger and more active dogs.
She said the shelter had stricter guidelines about who those dogs went to.
She also encouraged potential pet owners to consider adopting a guinea pig or rabbit.
“We’re finding it hard to find homes for them. They do make good little pets,” she said.
“They have all been desexed and have good temperaments. They’re good for little kids to play with.”