A southeast suburbs pet shelter which was home to more than 100 abandoned pets said it needed more volunteers if it was to continue rehoming animals.
The Animal Protection Society in Southern River has been taking in and rehoming abandoned pets for more than 40 years and the enclosed three-hectare property provided cats with a free-range environment with sleeping sheds, trees to climb and toys.
Rescued dogs were housed in private pens and taken on daily walks.
Calm music was played around the clock from speakers and volunteers said they believed it relaxed the animals.
Shelter volunteer and electrician Robert Glisenti, 64, has visited the shelter twice a week for about six months and completes small jobs around the property to save them on contractor costs.
“I see a lot of sad eyes here, cats wanting a home, a cuddle and a scratch,” he said.
“My enjoyment is just being surrounded by the animals and doing whatever it is that I can do to better their lives, f I can get them to purr I’m happy.”
Volunteers could feed and cuddle animals but they were also asked for help with cleaning and yard work.
APS foster care coordinator and vet nurse Lynn Cassell said physical and mental disabilities were no barriers to volunteering as it was focused on making sure the animals were comfortable.
“Most of these animals don’t get their own homes so we try to make this as much like a home until then,” she said.
“But there is heaps of stuff which needs to be done around the place.
“People don’t realise there is a huge cat population in Perth, someone dumps a cat and the next thing there are kittens, it’s an endless cycle.”
Ms Cassell said a major issue was the number of animals rescued without microchips and she was asking pet owners to be responsible by registering their animals and keeping contact details up to date.
“Making sure cats are sterilised and microchipped is the most important thing,” she said.
She said despite the satisfaction with volunteering the most important thing to stress was educating the public about following pet ownership guidelines.
“If you can’t afford to get your cat sterilised, don’t get a cat,” she said.
“We’re the ones that deal with the nightmare, we deal with it every day.”
If you can give a homeless dog or cat a home or would like to volunteer at the shelter visit the Animal Protection Society at 27 Talbot Road, Southern Road from 10am to 3pm every day or call 9398 6616.
