RSPCA waives adoption fees for adult cats

RSPCA VICTORIA is waiving the adoption fee for all adult cats as it tries to manage a huge influx of cats and kittens throughout kitten season.

The organisation now has more than 1,400 cats in care, which is pushing facilities over capacity and increasing the pressure on animals, staff and resources.

As a result, RSPCA Victoria has launched the “New Year, New Home” promotion, which will run until January 31.

“We desperately need to find forever homes for all of them as soon as possible and to make way for the many more cats and kittens that will come into our care in the coming months,” RSPCA Victoria chief executive officer Dr Liz Walker said.

Kitten season runs from about October and into the warmer months, meaning many more animals requiring care will continue arriving daily for the next three months.

RSPCA Victoria had a kitten intake of 531 animals in September, rising to 778 in October, 1,163 in November and 1,199 in December.

The organisation is also seeking additional foster carers and has set up temporary feline housing to cope with the high number of cats and kittens in care.

The situation is exacerbated by the number of cats presenting with the panleukopenia virus upon arrival at RSPCA Victoria shelters in recent months.

Once a cat with the virus enters any RSPCA Victoria facility, that location is required to go into lock down for a two-week period, which slows rehabilitation and the adoption process.

This shutdown period extends the amount of time the cats are in care by at least two weeks longer than
necessary.

RSPCA Victoria believes the increase in the panleukopenia virus is due to cat owners not properly vaccinating their pets.

“It is critical for owners to vaccinate their cats from six to eight weeks of age to ensure they are protected from serious diseases and to avoid the spread of disease,” Dr Walker said.

RSPCA Victoria also reports an increase in the numbers of cats and kittens that have arrived into care via the RSPCA Victoria Inspectorate.

Free cat adoption is available across all RSPCA Victoria facilities, including Petbarn stores, but excludes kittens under the age of four months.

Head to rspcavic.org.