It has unfortunately become a tradition: a open house weekend
SPA in the fall to adopt the (too) many animals abandoned during the summer. These two days will take place on October 8 and 9, in the 63 refuges and SPA houses in France.
“The worrying record of abandonments this summer testifies to a fragile economic situation”
Currently, 7,600 animals are “looking for a loving family”, specifies the SPA. Between May 1 and August 31 alone, the SPA collected 16,457 animals, including 11,268 cats, 4,302 dogs, 851 rodents and reptiles and 36 equids.
“The worrying record of abandonments this summer bears witness to a fragile situation that is once again putting our teams to the test”, testifies Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the president of the SPA. He hopes that on October 8 and 9 “This festive and supportive event will raise public awareness of the importance of welcoming an animal into a family, and that a large number of those left behind will come out of this weekend satisfied”.
On a positive note, however, the summer period was marked by a slight increase in adoptions of 1.2% compared to 2021 and more particularly concerning dogs (+4.5%).
“Our teams will guide you to find the animal that will correspond to your character and your way of life (…) but be careful to think carefully so as not to have any regrets”, reminds the SPA. Before entrusting an animal to a new master, to avoid further abandonmentthe staff of the shelters will define the profile of the adopter: his experience with animals, his reception conditions (house, apartment, green spaces nearby) and in particular his family environment (composition of the family, presence of children in young age or imminent arrival of a baby, presence of other animals in the household).
If you are unable to adopt but want to help, you can also donate. In 2021, the SPA was able to take care of and save 45,000 animals in its shelters, thanks to donations.