In 2004, PetRescue was an idea with a big hope; if this first-of-its-kind website could help save just one life, it would be an idea worth building.
Jump forward 17 years, we never could have dreamed that the number would become what it has today. Today, we celebrate the 700,000 pets that have been marked as adopted on PetRescue’s adoption platform.
And this is Lucifer from Central Queensland Animal Society Inc — the lucky 700,000th pet:
Lucifer was the 700,000th pet to be marked as adopted on PetRecue
A major chunk of this milestone is credited to PetRescue member rescue organisations - including rescue groups, pounds, shelters, and vets, who have joined the growing PetRescue community to find homes for literally hundreds of thousands of pets.
Here's how many furry, feathery, and scaly lives you helped change in the last 17 years ๐ฅฐ :
๐ถ 342,515 dogs
๐ฑ 332,511 cats
๐น 10,294 guinea pigs
๐ฐ 9,359 bunnies
๐ญ 1,638 mice/rats
๐ฆ 844 birds
๐ฆข 812 Fowl
๐ด 501 horses
๐น 466 Ferrets
๐ 235 goats
๐ 267 chickens
๐ฆ 178 ducks
๐ท 108 pigs
๐ 96 Roosters
๐ 70 sheep
๐ฎ 44 cows
๐ข 30 Reptiles
๐ฆ 17 Turkeys
๐ฆ 6 Alpacas
๐ 5 Fish
๐ 4 Hermit crabs
Pets adopted by species as of June 14, 2021.
There aren’t enough words, barks, or meows to express how thrilled we are to see this many humans choose pet adoption — and it’s all thanks to you!
So from our team to yours...๐
When we read stories like that of Evan, Brendan and Maddie or Paige, Charlie and Pip, Julie and Betty, or Linda, Arjan and Stippy, we feel incredibly proud and happy to have been able to play a part in their adoption journeys.
Collaborating together on initiatives such as The Adoptables, Shy Cats and Senior Citizens, or the Workplace Foster Care Program enabled the adoption of those pets who often find it difficult to find homes. Thanks to you, pets like Hildy, Susan, and Lily made their mark as one of the 700,000 lucky ones.
Your faith in PetRescue has given 700,000 lucky pets a chance to smile, snuggle with their humans, get spoiled by their families, and live their best lives in happy homes; the happiness that every pet deserves. Thank you!
Over the years, pet lovers across Australia helped PetRescue spark real social change and bring pet adoption into the mainstream. And because of this, so many homeless pets continue to find homes on PetRescue’s adoption platform.
What’s next for PetRescue?
๐ก Imagine a future where lost pets were safely returned to their owners instead of going to pounds
๐ Imagine a future where urban stray cats could happily coexist with humans in their outdoor community homes without being killed
๐ฅ Imagine a future where advancing technology could save the lives of pets
๐ฆบ Imagine a future where pets in crisis could be safe
Reimagine the future of animal welfare with us ๐
We’ve already got the ball rolling on a host of initiatives that can help us achieve our goals for the future. These include:
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Launching a pilot program to provide guided and fully supported owner-direct pet rehoming
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Beginning a long-term social change campaign to rebrand urban stray cats, while working alongside a nationwide collaboration initiative on the Community Cat Program
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Developing our pound reform initiatives and working with one progressive pound at a time
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Helping families and pets with crisis care support
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Developing new pet parenting resources and building on more information and resources to assist with calls for help that come through to our helpdesk
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Launching an epic rescue sector report to get up-to-date data on issues facing the sector (results from our recent survey are being analysed right now!)
All this alongside our mainstay work providing the most awesome free pet adoption platform in the southern hemisphere! We won't stop until every pet is safe, respected and loved.
And we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us ๐
Image credits: Lucifer from Central Queensland Animal Society Inc