Montrealers lined the sidewalk as early as 6 a.m. on a Sunday for the Montreal SPCA’s no-fee adoption event. The event offered a chance for people to adopt animals in need of loving homes, with 140 cats, 52 dogs, and 70 small animals available for adoption. The long line of eager adopters, some waiting up to four hours, was entertained outside while they waited for their turn to meet their potential new furry family members.
The timing of the event was significant, coming just two weeks after Moving Day in the province, a time when many animals are unfortunately abandoned due to families relocating. The SPCA reported an influx of animals during this period, taking in an average of 20 animals per day between June 29 and July 5, with a quarter of them being linked to Moving Day.
One of the heartwarming stories from the event was Anne, who went in hoping to bring home one animal but ended up leaving with two. She shared, „I was supposed to get one, but no. I just bought the other one. I’ve got two. When I saw them, the look they’ve done to me: wow. My heart was for them.“ This sentiment was echoed by many attendees who felt a strong connection with the animals they met.
Another attendee, Dominique, was looking for a new cat after losing her previous one just six days ago. She expressed her desire for a loving and caring cat to welcome into her home. While most people were searching for cats and dogs, there were also individuals like Mathis who were interested in less common pets, such as domestic rats. Mathis described them as „small puppies“ with unique characteristics that make them endearing companions.
Laurence Massé, the executive director of the Montreal SPCA, emphasized the importance of waiving adoption fees to facilitate the connection between animals and qualified families. She highlighted that while the fee may be waived, the adoption process remains thorough to ensure that the animals are placed in suitable homes. The SPCA also emphasized the financial responsibility of pet ownership, with the average annual costs for cats, dogs, and rabbits outlined by the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ).
Overall, the no-fee adoption event organized by the Montreal SPCA provided a platform for Montrealers to open their hearts and homes to animals in need. The event not only brought joy to the adopters but also offered a second chance at a loving and caring environment for the animals awaiting their forever families. It served as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the impact that a simple act of adoption can have on the lives of both humans and animals.
