Adoption fees lowered as extra dogs flood in

Animals and Us
Tauranga SPCA currently has about 30 dogs that are awaiting new homes and loving families.
Actually, it has been this way for some months now. We do not know why this is happening and why there are so many puppies.
Normally we contend with high numbers of adult dogs that stay for long periods because they are simply overlooked in favour of puppies. But what the shelter faces now is unbelievably high numbers of puppies continually streaming through our door.
Without a doubt a huge part of the problem is, and always will be, irresponsible owners and their sheer ignorance and the blase attitude of the consequences of not de-sexing their animals.
But I also believe that we are looking at communities that are now struggling financially and the first thing to go, or get dumped, will be their animals.
It is an extremely stressful environment for our dogs. They sit in their runs day after day surrounded by many other dogs, all in various states of excitement, and the noise level is sometimes unbearable for the staff as well as the animals.
Undeniably it is better than them being on the street cold and hungry, but we want homes as fast as humanly possible for not only our canine, but also our furry feline friends.
To this end, we have for the rest of this week a promotion like no other.
The adoption fee for our dogs has halved to just $100 and dog registration fees are also halved to $26.
Included in your adoption is free de-sexing, microchipping, flea and worm treatments. They have had their first lot of vaccinations too.
You will also receive a free collar, lead and puppy classes.
Important to note though, that just because our need to find homes for our dogs is great we will not be relaxing our requirements on adoption. The most important of these is the need for a fully fenced property or an enclosure that is fenced where the dog can be kept.
For those of you who cannot, or do not wish to, adopt we desperately need dog walkers to come in the mornings around 9am, and provide the all important exercise - this is great not only for the dogs, but also for you. What better way to get exercise than share it with a new friend.
Nicolle Smith is the SPCA Education Officer for Tauranga SPCA - 43 Alach Street, Greerton You can contact her on 07 578 2784.