Kind-hearted South Australians have rallied to RSPCA’s call for help to reduce the number of animals in care at its Lonsdale shelter, with 80 animals adopted since the call went out last Friday.

An additional 101 animals have gone out to foster homes, taking the total number of animals now living in the homes of the charity’s volunteer foster carers to 528.

The community’s heart-warming response is helping to ease pressure on the shelter’s staff and volunteers, who are now caring for 577 animals on the site – a 20 per cent drop on the 723 they were caring for before Friday’s decision to restrict intakes.

The shelter is still housing numbers that are above its capacity-to-care model, and intakes remain limited to animals coming in via RSPCA SA’s inspectorate and rescue team, as well as animal management officers from Onkaparinga, Marion and Holdfast Bay councils, with whom the charity has contractual arrangements.

A 16-year-old cat named Bond was among the 56 adult cats adopted in the past five days. The handsome feline with fetching green eyes was surrendered to RSPCA in January 2022, after his owner passed away.

He found a new home – at last – on Monday, and Jenny Sherring from RSPCA SA’s cat-care team was among his many fans sending him off.

Bond with new owner Mechteld (Megs) Keijzer, and RSPCA SA cat-care team members Rebecca Hersey (left) and Jess Chipman. Photo supplied.

“There were lots of happy tears,” Jenny says.

“He’s such a loving, affectionate fella, he deserves a happy home to live out his golden years.”

The current restrictions on intakes will remain in place until numbers are down to manageable levels.

People wishing to surrender animals have the option to go on a waiting list. (Further advice on options can be found at - https://www.rspcasa.org.au/services/pet-surrender/)

Available animals can be viewed online HERE

**Appointments are no longer required to adopt animals from RSPCA Lonsdale.**

RSPCA SA adoption locations:

Lonsdale – RSPCA – 25 Meyer Rd – open weekdays 10am-4pm and weekends 10am to 3pm

Petbarns

 Seaford – Seaford Central Shopping Centre cnr Commercial Rd and The Parade. Ph 6500 3004

 Hendon – 113-115 Tapleys Hill Rd, Hendon. Ph 7087 2216

 Holden Hill – 1/578 North East Road, Holden Hill. Ph 7087 2225

 Melrose Park – Melrose Plaza – 9/1031 South Rd, Melrose Park. Ph 7087 2229

 Mile End – 122-138 Railway Tce – Homemaker Centre, Mile End. Ph 8351 8130

 Noarlunga – 84 Dyson Rd, Noarlunga Centre. Ph 7087 2219

 Norwood – 31 The Parade, Norwood. Ph 8363 3255

 Prospect – 3/252 Churchill Rd, Prospect. Ph 7087 2222

If unable to adopt, please consider fostering an animal. All care costs are covered.

Sign up to see animals available for foster – FosterCare (rspcasa.org.au)