Forever homes for more than 226 animals have been found by staff and volunteers at RSPCA Isle of Wight branch this year.
Despite the global pandemic creating challenges for the charity, the animals in its care have remained its top priority with innovative processes put in place to safely continue animal adoptions.
A virtual re-homing service has allowed staff to carry out much of the adoption process online, meaning animals could be carefully matched to homes best suited to their needs without the need for face-to-face meeting.
Animals to leave the centre last month include rabbits Iris and Ciara, RSPCA IOW’s longest residing creatures who have been at the centre since January. They are settling well into their new home having being matched with the perfect new owners.
A stray cat named Pippin is also enjoying life in his new home. Pippin found shelter life quite difficult at first and was very timid but has learned to trust human company thanks to care received at the centre and is loving being fussed by his new owner, Maggie Currie. She said:
“Pip is doing very well. He has been with us for four weeks now and although he was very timid at first he has become a confident little cat who knows exactly where he wants to sit and recognises the opening of the treats cupboard instantly!”
Other success stories include Max, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has found his forever home, Buster a 14-year old street-cat and Boris the ferret. With his striking ‘blond’ fur, Boris is clumsy and cuddly and settling in well at his new home which he now shares with fellow ferret Obie.
Adopter Lily said:
“He has settled in really well with my other ferret Obie who has lived on his own since he was a kit. Despite never being with another ferret before, the pair are getting on really well. They have started to snuggle up together and Obie has been wagging his tail and looking at Boris trying to get him to play.”
Despite a large number of animals being adopted this year, there are still animals at the centre in need of loving homes.
Suzanne Pugh, branch manager, said:
“We are so pleased to have been able to find homes for so many animals despite the restrictions that are currently in place because of the pandemic. We’ve had to adapt our processes to reduce face to face contact, but the wonders of technology allow us to view homes ahead of adoptions and speak to prospective owners via video call, which really helps in the pet matching process.
“All our animals are neutered, chipped and vaccinated prior to rehoming – all of which is funded through the kind donations of our supporters. Like many charities, our fundraising opportunities have been restricted this year due to the pandemic, yet the costs of caring for our animals remains. As an independent local charity, we are heavily reliant on this support, so making a donation, visiting our charity shops and using our pet boarding facilities are just some of the ways people can help us to continue caring for vulnerable animals at this challenging time.”
To find out more about the RSPCA Isle of Wight branch and their animals in need of homes, visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/findapet/-/rspca/isle-of-wight-branch.
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