General News
5 August, 2024
Phoenix Animal Rescue seeks foster carers for animals awaiting adoption
The cost of living crisis has increased animal surrender rates.
Horsham
Community
Phoenix Animal Rescue Horsham is seeing an increase in animal surrenders as pet owners are hit by the cost of living crisis.
The volunteer-run not-for-profit is not a shelter-based organisation, instead relying on a network of foster carers to house animals in need of a long term home and is looking out for new foster carers and adopters as its current network is pushed to its limits.
Director of Phoenix Animal Rescue Horsham, Carolyn Stow said the demand on services provided by the group has grown significantly over the past 12 months.
"We've got dogs in pounds that we're still trying to get out," she said.
"We've got private surrenders that are waiting to come in.
"The adoption process for people looking for animals has dropped significantly. That's not just with us, that's across the whole of Victoria.
Ms Stow said the organisation is needing to hold animals in homes longer than what it traditionally would as long term options are becoming harder to find.
"Little kittens that come into care or are born in care, are now teenagers, which is usually not heard of," she said.
Ms Stow said Phoenix Animal Rescue Horsham is currently caring for, six adult cats, 17 teenage kittens, four tiny kittens, 10 adult dogs and about 14 puppies through its network.
"[It] is a huge number to cater to," said Ms Stow.
While Phoenix Animal Rescue Horsham is encouraging anyone interested in adopting to reach out to the organisation, the group is also in need of people to provide foster homes.
"We're always looking for foster carers," said Ms Stow.
"We provide all the food, ... we just ask people to open up their homes to animals, that way we may be able to get animals out of the pound environment and into the home."
Ms Stow also said community assistance through contributions to fundraising is always welcome.
"If we have a fundraising event, the community has been really good getting on board and helping us out.
"When we do fundraising, it's great that people come down and have a chat and maybe give a bit of a donation."
In December 2023, the RSPCA reported almost 87,500 animals were surrendered in the 2022-23 financial year, including 33,747 cats and 18.778 dogs.
Phoenix Animal Rescue will be at Bunnings Horsham on Saturday, August 10, hosting an adoption day from 10am until 2pm.
It coincides with the hardware store's Store for Paws.