Wimmera's kennels and catteries have reported a normal number of pets being put up for adoption during the holiday period, and an increase in total adoptions throughout 2020.
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This was despite the 'Christmas dumping' myth that many unwanted pets are left at animal shelters over the holidays.
Horsham PAWS treasurer Onella Cooray said the only spike the animal shelter had received at the end of 2020 was related to cat breeding cycles.
"We get a lot of cats who haven't been de-sexed, who will then get dumped or their litters will get dumped because people can't care for them," Ms Cooray said.
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"Or they didn't want seven kittens from the one cat they had."
Horsham PAWS dog adoption program has been running on a limited capacity, so few dogs have been dropped off.
"The few dogs that have come through are mostly due to change in circumstance, such as elderly owners passing away or families moving and not being able to take the animal with them," Ms Cooray said.
Research shows that the number of pets put up for adoption around Christmas time is actually lower than other times of the year.
Ms Coorey said new legislation around puppy breeding and an increased awareness of the commitment of owning a pet was responsible for this trend.
One possible side effect of coronavirus lockdown has been an increase in the amount of pets adopted in 2020.
Horsham PAWS reported an increase of interest in pets, but cannot say for certain if it is the result of lockdowns.
"There has been quite an increase in the demand and interest of kitten litters that are coming through, which is great because we have so many of them," Ms Coorey said.
"For the most part, because we do a prior vetting of adopters, people are coming to us with the right intention."
Ms Coorey said anyone looking to adopt a pet should do their research before making the commitment.
"Definitely make sure they are adopting from registered rescues or breeders," she said.
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"Only people who are registered are allowed to sell or adopt animals. So that's an easy way for potential pet owners to make sure that they're bringing in pets from a responsible source.
"I encourage people if they do see animals listed as 'free to a kind home' to call it out and report that post, and encourage those people to seek out the proper groups."
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