RSPCA shelters across the Hunter have hit capacity with hundreds of animals waiting for homes.
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The Rutherford RSPCA has more than 120 dogs at its shelter and is in desperate need of space for animals that come in every day.
“We have 120 cages and they are all full,” RSPCA Rutherford manager Sharon Wynne said.
“With the smaller dogs we can sometimes put two in together and we have a great dane in the bird aviary at the moment.”
The RSPCA relies on services like Hunter Animal Rescue to take additional animals when the shelter numbers are up, but even these services have been put under pressure with the influx of animals.
“We rely heavily on the rescue groups,” she said.
“Sometimes we can also juggle animals between shelters but most are currently full.”
To help create some space the RSPCA has launched the Give A Dog A Home campaign.
From September 4 to 6 all dog adoptions will be half price, which includes registration, microchipping, desexing and vaccinations.
Some of the dogs at the Rutherford shelter have been there for almost 12 months, like Rocky the three-year-old Rottweiler.
“It would be nice to see Rocky go home,” Ms Wynne said.
“He is a big goof ball, and sometimes a big sook.
“He is also very affectionate.”
According to the RSPCA many shelters have been overflowing because they cannot turn away surrendered animals in need.
The organisation will offer the price discount in the hope it will bring in more adopters to meet the dogs that are looking for their new family.
Normal adoption procedures still apply and the same time and effort will go into matching the dog to the right family.
To give a dog a home visit the RSPCA at Burlington Place Rutherford or go online to adoptapet.com.au for more details.
