Tyler Redway
PET adoptions have been in higher demand during the Covid-19 pandemic with waiting lists being filled by cats and dogs that have been adopted only a few days after being surrendered by previous owners.
South East Animal Welfare League (SEAWL) volunteers Trina Twilley and Marina Perkovic said the local organisation’s offering has decreased during the pandemic due to less animals requiring adoption.
“We’ve had heaps over the past two years, apart from the last six months because of our waiting lists,” Ms Twilley said.
“If people on the waiting lists are suitable owners, then pets virtually go straight away, but beforehand over the years dogs and cats could sit in here for months on end.”
The shelter got down to just one dog earlier this month – a bull terrier/kelpie cross named Ozzy – and he has been since been adopted with other dogs becoming available for adoption more recently.
Ms Perkovic said they have had a huge amount of support from social media, a platform which they say has reached as far as Adelaide and Geelong for people looking to adopt.
Ms Twilley said research is essential for breeds when considering a cat or dog, even when already signed on to the league’s waiting lists.
The volunteers said there were a lot of questions asked regarding the return to normal working lives and how it would affect a pet’s well-being.
“If you’re not committed as an owner, please don’t get a puppy, but when you do adopt make sure to microchip your pet, get an ID on the collar or a phone number, it makes it a lot easier to return lost animals,” Ms Perkovic said.
“Dogs only know what you teach them, so people must be willing to train and at an early age is best.
“There are irresponsible pet owners that have not followed the pet management by-law where all cats and dogs born as of July 2018 must be desexed and microchipped,” Ms Twilley said.
Ms Perkovic said the South East Animal Welfare League aimed to provide pets with forever homes.
