Success Stories

Families all over Australia are enjoying the companionship of an animal that they adopted from a shelter. Justin Hedges and Sharon Ackers, two such people that opened their homes to shelter pets, are examples of successful and permanent adoptions.

Five years ago Justin Hedges and his fiancée Emma adopted Gizmo from the Animal Aid Coldstream Cattery. Gizmo was only a kitten at the time and he was very insistent on being picked out of the bunch. Justin had lived close to the shelter for many years prior to the adoption, so it was both awareness and attitude that prompted him to adopt.

“They look after the animals they’ve got. Pet shops just run a business. [Animal Aid] need the money more,” Justin said.

In regards to customer service and assistance from the shelter staff, the Cattery Attendant was “Absolutely fantastic” and Justin would recommend others consider the adoption option.

Six years ago Sharon Ackers and her family adopted Isis from the Malaga RSPCA shelter in Western Australia. Isis was a young kitten and the RSPCA staff were very patient as the family acquainted themselves with her. Sharon chose to adopt because of the awareness campaigns on television describing the high numbers of unwanted litters over the Christmas period.

“The staff were great. They answered any questions we had and they gave us a lot of time with her. When we came back to pick her up Isis had been de-sexed and micro-chipped at the shelter veterinary clinic,” Sharon said.

Based on her positive experience, Sharon would also recommend adopting from an animal shelter.