By Jamie Salter
Petbarn’s Pet Rescue Month aims to find a new home for as many pets as possible throughout the month of February.
Petbarn Foundation, the charitable arm of PetBarn, partners with shelters to rehome pets – particularly cats – by moving them from shelters to stores with high foot traffic.
The full cost of pet adoption fees are donated to these shelters so they can continue their work supporting animals.
This month, Petbarn reached a total of 60,000 lives saved over the past 10 years.
Petbarn Foundation manager Janelle Bloxsom said she was extremely proud of reaching the milestone.
“The system really works – there’s so many pet lovers, and potential pet lovers, that come in to our store,” she said.
“All our animals are fully vaccinated, health checked and desexed so it’s incredible successful.”
Petbarn has about 23 adoption partners nationally, from RSPCA to smaller charities.
Post-Christmas, the shelters receive a large increase in animal surrenders due to a number of circumstances such as a pet experiencing separation anxiety when their owner returns to work, or as a result of owners not being able to move house with their pet.
Ms Bloxsom said February was a big month for surrenders.
“The issue is more in line with housing conditions post pandemic as well as financially – unexpected veterinary costs lead to surrenders when owners can’t pay for expenses,” she said.
“It’s a challenging time for rescues.”
But just as surrenders are high, so too are adoptions.
“With animals now becoming more available and restrictions easing, our adoption centres are receiving adoptions at a very high level,” Ms Bloxsom said.
As part of Pet Rescue Month, a brand new initiative has been launched by Petbarn with pet food supplier SavourLife where $200,000 has been donated to rescue 200 puppies and dogs from regional pounds.
The dogs will be moved from regional pounds and brought to areas where there is a higher demand for pets, giving them a better chance of being adopted.
Ms Bloxsom said it was a common misconception that animals in pounds and shelters have something wrong with them.
“That’s not often the reality of why they’ve been surrendered, and we have animals of all breeds and ages available,” she said.
She said people should always think of adopting a pet before selecting a breeder.
“When you’re looking to rescue at a Petbarn store or through Adopt a Dog on our website, you know all those rescues are in the best condition for a new home,” she said.
“It will change your life and change theirs.”
