The AWLQ will hold a mass adoption drive on the 13th-14th December as a gift to abandoned animals as they try to rehome every animal in the shelter by Christmas.
AWLQ Spokesperson Brooke Whitney hopes the annual ‘Home for Christmas’ campaign will find hundreds of animals a home next weekend and says pet adoption prices have been reduced to encourage people to choose to adopt their new family pet.
“Dogs adoption prices will be $50 (normally $250) and cats will be $30 (normally $99).
“The AWLQ is currently caring for 1076 animals across its five rehoming centres all who will need rehoming in the coming weeks. It’s astronomical when you think about all the food, medication and man power needed to care for that amount of animals, Ms Whitney says.”
It’s not just the kennels that are full; The AWLQ staff had to think of creative ways to make space for animals currently waiting.
“At our Gold Coast Rehoming Centre we have animals in crates in staff offices and common areas because there just isn’t enough space in the kennels. It’s just three weeks until Christmas and if animals are not rehomed urgently, there will be no space for the post-Christmas pets that will need the our help.” Ms Whitney says.
“The event is the only one of its kind in Australia and at the 2013 inaugural event 177 of 192 animals were rehomed in two days! It was a Christmas miracle and we hope that with the help of the community we can rehome even more in 2014! “We now have two shelters in Brisbane and we hope to make our capital city the first in the country to have its shelters empty even for just one day!” Ms Whitney says.
The AWLQ is encouraging anyone thinking about getting a pet to become a part of the solution and make the weekend (13th-14th) the time they give a second chance to a homeless animal. All animals have been desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.
“Our goal is to have an empty shelter come Monday the 15th of December and if we can reach our goal it will be the first time the shelter will be empty in over 55 years.
Shelter animals come in all shapes and sizes. AWLQ has puppies and kittens as well as older animals that have the advantage of ‘life-experience’ and are usually toilet trained.
“Our staff can match you to a pet that will not only suit your lifestyle but will be a constant companion who will offer you lots of love and affection.”
By adopting a pet not only will you save a life but you will make room in the shelter for another animal that needs help. All animal information including photos can be found at www.awlqld.com.au.
People can follow the weekend on social media by searching #ProjectEmptyShelter
CELEBRITIES LEND THEIR SUPPORT
