Pet day gives us paws for thought

IT is no surprise animals make the world a better place and World Animal Day on Tuesday 4 October, is a timely reminder to raise awareness and improve the welfare standards for those that have no voice.
To celebrate World Animal Day, Petbarn Noosa in partnership with RSPCA Queensland, is encouraging locals to consider pet adoption to help animals find a forever home.
Local store manager Matt Weier said World Animal Day was a fantastic way to celebrate the love and companionship that our furry friends provide us and was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the number of animals that were without a home.
Sadly, thousands of animals in Australia are abandoned or lost. To help save animal lives Petbarn has partnered with local animal shelters throughout the country to create Petbarn Adoption Centres in over 97 stores to help re-home pets to suitable owners and homes in the local area.
Every year, a staggering number of animals are surrendered to animal shelters or abandoned.
Matt said an animal could be surrendered for a range of reasons, whether it was because the pet’s parents moved away or decided that having a pet didn’t work with their lifestyle.
“It’s worth remembering that often it’s not the ‘fault’ of the animal itself,” Matt said.
The team at Petbarn Noosa believe that adopting is a great way to ensure these animals have a well-deserved second chance and find happiness in a new, loving home and World Animal Day is the perfect time to show how pet adoption can not only help save animal lives, but enrich ours.
“Pets can teach us how to be more responsible, compassionate, empathetic, kind, loyal, help us to improve our wellbeing, and keep us a little more active – all these traits make them a perfect addition to the family,” Matt said.
“We are imploring locals to consider pet adoption right now, so that these pets will be able to have a warm and cosy home to celebrate Christmas in.
“Pop into our store to find out which animals are currently available for adoption and keep in mind that the end of October is kitten season (as kittens are born in spring and it takes six to eight weeks to be vaccinated and be available for adoption) so we are expecting an influx then.
“Always remember – adopt, don’t shop.”
If Noosa locals do find paws they love, they will be able to go through the pet adoption process in-store on the day. While the adoption fee set by the local charity is collected by Petbarn, 100 per cent of the fee is returned to the charity. All cats are de-sexed, vaccinated and micro-chipped before being brought into store.
In partnership with a number of local animal charities, including the RSPCA, Pets Haven and Cat Haven, over 18,755 animals across Australia have received a second chance after being adopted since the program launched.
To find out more or to adopt a pet contact Petbarn Noosa located at Noosa Civic, 28 Eenie Creek Road, or phone 3181 3276 or visit www.petbarn.com.au