(WA) SAFE Saving Lives

Joondalup based animal welfare organisation Saving Perth Animals from Euthanasia wants people to stop buying pets on “impulse” after the number of dogs being dropped at local pounds rocketed during the school holidays.

SAFE president Sue Campbell said the City of Wanneroo Animal Care Centre (formerly Wanneroo Pound) had experienced an influx of animals but the number of adoptions had dropped.

By law, pounds only have to keep animals for 72 hours before they can euthanise them. Wanneroo Mayor Jon Kelly said its centre could keep up to 40 dogs impounded for up to a week.

“If the dogs have not been collected by the owners during the seven days, they are re-homed where possible and only euthanised as a last resort,” he said.

Because of SAFE’s work with the city to find new homes for unclaimed pets, only 8.7 per cent of the animals currently end up being euthanised.

SAFE has a network of temporary carers who foster abandoned dogs and cats while permanent homes are sought. Mrs Campbell said they desperately needed carers and people to adopt dogs. “It’s a huge problem for us. People go away for the holidays, leave the dog in the yard, the dog gets out, is picked up and taken to the pound and the owners don’t bother to come and fetch it,” she said. “Animals just seem to be disposable these days.

“Unfortunately, when people see puppies in a pet shop window looking cute, they impulse buy and do not consider how much work it is going to be.”

To see the pets currently looking for homes at SAFE click here

Reference: http://inmycommunity.com.au

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