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The joys of adopting a rescue pet

Australian pet owners are taking puppy steps towards minimising the rates of homelessness and euthanasia - not to mention enhancing the life of animals in need.

According to Shel Williamson, director of Perth-based organisation PetRescue, growing compassion and responsibility among pet owners have resulted in a decline in the number of abandoned and euthanised pets in Australia.

"Over the last decade, the number of people adopting cats and dogs from animal shelters has doubled - a sure sign that the warm and fuzzy feel-good factor that comes with saving an abandoned pet is gaining real appeal," Ms Williamson said.

PERTH'S FIRST-EVER PET EXPO

DO YOU HAVE WA'S CUTEST PET?

Chandra Woodley, from Cat Haven in Shenton Park, said adopting a pet was a generous, rewarding and responsible thing to do. "There are thousands of stray and unwanted animals surrendered or abandoned in Perth every year," she said.

"Pets can become quite depressed when they stay in a shelter environment so it is important that we adopt them out quickly or find willing foster families."

Ms Williamson said adoption was also a financially savvy route to pet ownership. All rescue pets must be examined by a vet, vaccinated, microchipped and desexed before they go to their new home.

"Adoptable pets listed by reliable rescue organisations have also been assessed for temperament, basic manners and toilet training," she said. "You're not starting from scratch if you adopt.

"In most instances, the adoption fee you pay covers the basic medical expenses incurred and fees generally sit somewhere between $200 and $800."

Renae Powell, of small-animal specialists Little PAWS Rescue Perth, said adoptive options went beyond cats and dogs.

"With apartments becoming more popular, people are finding less space to appropriately house these larger animals," she said. "Many families are starting to consider smaller animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds and even reptiles."

However, while adopting a pet is a great joy, it is also a big responsibility. Ms Williamson said that if you travelled a lot, worked long hours or were financially unable to support a pet it might not be practical to adopt. There were, however, other ways to get involved, such as volunteering to groom, walk or spend time with animals, becoming a temporary foster carer, or donating much-needed food and supplies.


Habitat met four Perth residents who made the choice to adopt a pet - and have never been happier

CASSANDRA AND BILLY

Having fostered more than 200 homeless dogs, Cassandra Rhodes said she had found her calling.

Ms Rhodes, of Forrestfield, had been active with several rescue organisations, including husband-and-wife team CJ Animal Rescue, when she got a call from them asking her to babysit a newly surrendered puppy.

"Billy was this timid puppy whose head was too big for him to hold up and from the moment I saw him I knew he was different - Billy was my one," she said.

DNA tests showed Billy was a sharpei x staffy x Bernese mountain Dog. "Billy is an old soul who is there for me, and he welcomes all the new pups in and cares for them," Ms Rhodes said.

She hopes to balance out some of the cruel and negligent experiences her wards have encountered.

"There is no need for people to badly treat or starve an animal, because help is only a phone call away," she said.

Ms Rhodes said fostering was a fantastic way to find out if you were ready to take on a 10-17 year commitment. "Fostering can help you figure out what type of animal you're looking for, plus all vet work is paid for though the rescue," she said. "It is a great way to expose your family into welcoming in an animal."



BIANCA, PIXI AND BLUE JUICE

Pixi - a semi-feral kitten that came to Cat Haven via a council trap at seven weeks old - and Blue Juice, a two-year-old male grey cat, fell in love at first sight. The pair went up for adoption together, which worked perfectly for Bianca Gregory, of Dianella.

"They provide such good company for one another, and a second cat really isn't any extra trouble," she said. "I wanted to give them a home of their own as they had been through a lot."

While Ms Gregory had considered a breeder, after checking the Cat Haven website she knew adoption was for her.

"It has photos of some of the cats for adoption with a description of their personalities and backgrounds, so you get to know a little about each cat and pick the right one," she said.

Ms Gregory said Pixi and Blue had added a lot of love and laughter to her life.

"To see the two of them so relaxed and happy and settled in together is very rewarding, they are now a part of my family," she said.



VERONICA, AMY AND CHUCK

Piara Waters resident Veronica Smith chose to adopt two beautiful dogs with health problems from the Animal Protection Society. Amy had severe epilepsy and Chuck has epilepsy, separation anxiety and was born deaf.

While she didn't set out to bring two dogs home, Ms Smith fell in love with Chuck, who came as a package deal with his pal, Amy. "We fell in love with their personalities and how they were with each other," she said. Ms Smith said despite coming from a bad home and spending the past two years in shelter, the dogs were both laid-back and loving. "Amy bonded with my partner, Cameron, and my daughter, Georgia, and Chuck just singled me out and has been my shadow ever since," she said. "We love them the same but it's like they each chose their human."

Sadly the Smiths only had Amy for six months before she died, but they are grateful for the opportunity to have had her. They are now keen advocates for adoption. "Shelter animals have a sad story but yet still have a beautiful soul, so giving a fur baby the comfort of a loving home when otherwise they would be living or even dying in a cold shelter gives me a warm feeling in my heart," Ms Smith said.



BRYONY AND VERONICA MARS

Highgate apartment-dwellers Bryony Calendar and Ian Moylan decided something a little smaller than a cat or dog would suit them best, and sought out Little PAWS Rescue to find a furry companion.

Their latest acquisition, Veronica Mars, was bought as a companion for their first bunny, Ron Swanson. "With rabbits it's important to let them choose their friend, so we took Ron Swanson to meet her, and it was love at first sight," she said.

Ms Calendar said it was Veronica Mars' mischievous, one-ear-up pose and inquisitive nature that endeared her to them. "Now that she's settled at home, seeing her and Ron Swanson cuddle all the time, play chasey and groom each other is so rewarding," she said. "She's really brought Ron Swanson out of his shell."

Ms Calendar said the most significant impact had been for Mr Moylan. "Ian has a chronic illness which has been very difficult physically and mentally, and having Veronica hopping around the place, begging for craisins, periscoping, getting into things, and giving him licks has been a great source of distraction, humour, and comfort for him," she said.