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In the 2024 financial year, over missing pets in Australia were reunited with their owners through the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), including approximately dogs and cats. Overall, the number of animals from the RSPCA reclaimed by their owners each year has been on a downturn since 2018.

Second chances for furry friends

Besides pets reunited with their owners, approximately another * animals were successfully rehomed by RSPCA that year. The decline in the number of reclaimed and rehomed animals over the years resonated with the decreasing number of total animals received by all RSPCA facilities, which amounted to just over * as of June 2024. These downward trends can partially be attributed to increased pet adoption rates, as millions of people were forced to spend more time in isolation due to the pandemic.

Pandemic pet frenzy

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Australia witnessed a massive surge in the number of animal-owning households; an addition of over * households welcomed at least a dog or a cat to their families. The desire to adopt a dog or a cat also remained high across the country, especially among those who already owned at least one pet. While these “pandemic puppies” were a substantial source of emotional strength and support for many households, concerns were raised about the pets’ well-being amid lengthy lockdowns and how they would adapt to potentially drastic changes in lifestyles post-pandemic.