A purr-fect connection for the family on Valentine's Day
Friday, 05 February 2010
SHARE the love on Valentine’s Day by making a cuddly addition to your family.
That is the message from the Whakatane SPCA, which is taking part in a national “adopt-a-thon” next weekend.
This is the second year of the national campaign aimed at finding homes for as many unwanted animals as possible over two days.
Last year around 500 animals were adopted nationwide and this year, the campaign is hoping to home 1000.
The Whakatane SPCA has jumped on board for the second year and volunteers are hoping that animal lovers will also be attracted by the opportunity of reduced prices and the chance to win prizes to add to their family.
The Second Chance for Love Adopt-a-thon is being held on Saturday and Sunday next weekend, at a time when the centre is inundated with kittens and cats.
President Vicki Barnard said it was kitten season and unfortunately people still were not getting the message about the importance of de-sexing their animals.
Mrs Barnard said many people might not realise that a female kitten could become pregnant at around four and a half months if it wasn’t neutered early enough.
As a result, the centre has suffered an influx of unwanted animals that now required new homes.
They currently have around 20 adult cats and a huge selection of kittens - from only a few weeks old to several months. In an effort to home the adult cats, they will be available for the reduced price of $75 during the adopt-a-thon weekend. Kittens will be priced as normal.
However, everyone who adopts an animal will go in a draw to win prizes supplied by the campaign’s major sponsor Hill’s - which is a pet food outfit.
Last year, the centre homed 17 animals over the two days and this year they are hoping to do even better. There is no pleasant alternative for animals that don’t find homes - these are eventually put down.
Mrs Barnard said there were many benefits to owning an animal. A pet could complete a family unit and teach children to be responsible.
There were also benefits to adopting adult cats over kittens, she said.
Adult cats don’t need housetraining and they were usually more mellow, affectionate and companionable than boisterous and playful kittens. These cats are taken to the centre for a number of reasons, such as an older person moving into a retirement home and people moving overseas or into a flat that doesn’t allow animals.
The campaign coincides with Valentine’s Day because of the love connection, she said.
“It’s about taking something home and giving it a loving family,” she said.
The centre will be open for extended hours over the weekend - Saturday from 9am to 3pm and Sunday from 9am to midday.