ANIMAL adoptions at Bathurst Petbarn declined during the coronavirus lockdown and surged at the Dubbo store - though the figures might have been affected by a larger RSPCA campaign.
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Petbarns in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange have a pet adoption facility with RSPCA-vetted cats, dogs and pocket pets (rabbits and guinea pigs).
The total adoption fee goes to the charity.
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There were eight animals adopted in Bathurst from March until early June compared with 23 during the same time in 2019.
The number was well up at Dubbo during the same period: 192 animals found a new home compared with 177 during the same period last year.
At Orange's Petbarn, just 11 animals were adopted - down from 30 during the same period last year.
An RSPCA spokesman said there was a surge in pet adoptions across NSW from March to June, but most were adopted through the charity's Adopt From Home campaign.
While he said the campaign was a success, with 2655 animals across the state finding a new home, it resulted in fewer animals being available at Petbarn stores.
"It is heartwarming to see Australians turn to animal companionship during these unprecedented times," the spokesman said.
"We were happy to be able to find homes for animals in need given the challenges surrounding the global pandemic with our Adopt From Home campaign."
The spokesman said although the adoption process changed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the RSPCA's commitment to finding the right homes for the right animals did not.
"We still vetted applications through a number of measures including online application forms, phone and video calls, and meeting the prospective buyers at their residence," he said.
"We had no shortage of applicants wanting to adopt a pet so it was not about finding the first home, or any home, but the right home."
The spokesman said he was hopeful that animal surrender numbers wouldn't increase as people returned to the office.