500 animals find homes in pet sale

The animals adopted during the sale included 229 kittens. Photo / Natalie Slade

More than 500 animals have found new homes following the SPCA's half-price pet sale.

The charity was at crisis point at the start of this month when it was "completely overrun" with animals and ran out of room to take any more.

Its Auckland Animal Village in Mangere had 482 cats, 123 dogs and 39 rabbits.

So the SPCA asked for the public's help.

"We offered people the chance to adopt a pet for life at half-price for three weeks ... and I'm thrilled to say it was a huge success," said SPCA Auckland CEO Christine Kalin.

"So we want to say 'thank you' to all the wonderful people who responded to the call and adopted an animal."

The animals were first checked by a vet, desexed, microchipped, wormed, treated for fleas and given their initial vaccinations.

The 508 animals adopted during the sale included 229 kittens, 167 cats, 36 rabbits, 34 dogs, 29 puppies as well as chickens, pigeons, guinea pigs and a goat.

The first weekend of the pet sale was one of the Auckland SPCA's most successful ever for adoptions.

In one day, 105 animals were adopted, about three times more than usual. However, that meant some of the hopeful pet lovers went away empty-handed.

"We will continue to have a steady stream of animals ready at the village for adoption," Ms Kalin said. "So please, if you have room in your family for one more, come out to the SPCA Auckland Animal Village in Mangere and let one of our animals steal your heart."