Clear the Shelter

Adoption fees reduced on pets of all shapes and sizes!

For two days only, we’re significantly reducing the adoption fees for all companion animals to clear our shelters and get deserving pets into new, loving homes where they belong. 

From Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 September, adoption fees at the RSPCA Burwood and Peninsula shelters will be as follows: 

Animal  Fee 
Kittens & Cats $50
Puppies & Dogs $50
Rabbits & Guinea Pigs No fee!
Senior Animals No fee! 

*Horses, livestock and poultry are not included in this adoption promotion. 

When you adopt from RSPCA, your pet will also come:   

  • desexed 
  • vaccinated 
  • microchipped
  • and have a health and behaviour check 

…saving you hundreds of dollars. Plus, you’ll have a new best friend!  

Pets make our lives better, and the school holidays are the pawfect time to add one to your home, allowing them to settle in.  

If you’re ready to adopt, come down to one of our shelters between 10am and 4pm this Saturday and Sunday to get started:  

View all our available animals
The adoption process

Clear the Shelter FAQs

Are Petbarn stores participating in this promotion?

No, Petbarn are not participating.

Why are these animals being adopted at a discount rate?

We are keen for all the animals in our care to find their loving forever home. Special adoption promotions are great at encouraging people to act now, not just think about adopting one day. 

Normal adoption procedures apply, so even though the adoption fee has been reduced to $50, the same time and effort goes into matching each animal to the right family.

Is it ok to adopt animals at discounted fees?

Anyone wanting to adopt an animal from the RSPCA will still have to go through our adoption process to ensure they can provide for the specific behavioural and environmental needs of our animals. The RSPCA has held several successful discounted and even fee-waived adoption promotions since 2010. Through all these promotions our adoption process has stayed the same – only the fee has changed.

Studies have shown that there is no difference around the care of an animal whether adopted through a fee-waiver program or for a fee http://www.aspcapro.org/feewaived 

How long does the adoption process take?

Adoptions can take more than 60 minutes, so please make sure you allow enough time for this when you visit us.

Do I need an appointment?

No appointments are needed for the Clear the Shelter promotion at either Burwood or Peninsula adoption centre.

Can I put a pet on hold prior to the promotion?

Unfortunately, no. If you would like to adopt a pet prior to the Clear the Shelter promotion please do so, as you could risk missing out on adopting a particular animal. 

How much does it normally cost to adopt a pet from RSPCA Victoria?

Adoption fees can vary on the individual animal and the needs they have. Adoption fees only cover a fraction of the animal’s cost of care before adoption. Below is a rough guide to adoption fees. 

Puppy (under 6 months): $650- $3000 

Adult dog: $500 – $3000 

Kitten (under 5 months): $235 – $500 

Adult cat: $145 – $400 

Rat, guinea pig and rabbit: $30 – $95 

Senior animal: No Fee! 

Discounted pricing for bonded pairs of animals. 

The fee for each individual animal can be found on their adoption profile. 

How much does it cost to get an animal prepared for adoption?

Our adoption fees are well under our animals’ treatment and care costs – costs that we will not recover, but we want to do all we can to find every one of these beautiful creatures a forever home. Any contribution great or small will help us ensure many more animals get the happy ending they deserve. 

Does the senior animal adoption fee waiver still apply during the promotion?

Yes, all senior animals (cats over 10 years old) will continue to have their adoption fee waived. Depending on breed, dogs are considered ‘senior’ at different ages, this ranges from 9-12 years, but senior dogs will also have a $0 adoption fee.

Do those adopting get a FREE bag of pet food?

Our standard dog and cat adoption fees include a bag of Royal Canin premium pet food per animal plus 20% off your next bag of Royal Canin food from RSPCA Retail, as well as an adoption pack, however this is NOT included during this promotion.

How will the adoption rain check voucher be distributed?

If a customer is unable to find a suitable animal to adopt during the adoption campaign, provide them with a ‘raincheck’ voucher allowing them to adopt an animal at the reduced adoption fee up until 28 October 2024. The ‘raincheck’ voucher can be redeemed at RSPCA Victoria’s adoption centre at both Burwood and Peninsula.

RSPCA Vet Clinics

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Our Burwood East vet clinic team are experts in animal health.

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