200 pets to be put down: RSPCA (Western Australia)

December 20, 2002

By Natasha Wallace

December 20, 2002

HUNDREDS of pets given as Christmas gifts will have to be euthanased,

prompting a call today from the RSPCA to would-be pet owners and buyers

to act responsibly.

The RSPCA and the state government have joined forces to send their own

Christmas message: a pet is a gift for life.

RSPCA chief executive officer Bernie Murphy said between December 17 and

January 5 last year the RSPCA had taken in 455 dogs.

" Many of these dogs who were once part of somebody's life suddenly found

themselves unwanted because their owners were going on holidays, " Mr

Murphy said.

" Others, sadly, were never wanted in the first place.

" These were the dogs who were given to somebody as an unwanted Christmas

gift. "

It was quite likely up to 500 pets a week would be taken to the RSPCA

through January, he said.

Its facility was already overburdened, having received 300 cats and dogs

in the past week - 40 per cent of which would have to be put down.

" All too often our shelters are being filled up over the Christmas

period, " Mr Murphy said.

" You're going to have some 200 pets put down.

" That's not what we want, a 40 per cent euthanasia rate is awful. "

NSW Local Government Minister Harry Woods said while pets made wonderful

gifts, it was crucial people established whether the animal was wanted.

" I urge anyone intending to give a pet as a gift this Christmas to think

twice, " Mr Woods said.

" Consider the cost and responsibility of having a pet and make sure that

it is a gift that will truly be appreciated. "

" A pet is for life, not just Christmas. "

AAP

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