It was an almost 'purfect' year for RSPCA ACT in 2017 as the organisation achieved a 90 per cent re-homing rate, a report said.
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Last year, the organisation received 3562 domesticated animals through the shelter with another 499 incoming non-native species and injured wildlife.
RSPCA ACT chief executive Tammy Ven Dange said it was the first year the organisation had received a 90 per cent re-homing rate across all species. She said the re-homing of dogs reached 94.5 per cent rate and cats was 90.7 per cent.
"These re-homing rates are, firstly, a reflection of the hard work of our amazing staff and volunteers including foster carers that keep the animals healthy,” she said.
"Secondly, it's a huge indication of what an animal-loving community the ACT is. They are the ones that decide to adopt from us rather than buying pets online."
The results could be from the shelter seeing a decrease of 15.4 per cent of incoming animals in 2017. Ms Ven Dange said she was not certain why the overall incoming animal numbers had dropped, and hoped it would be the start of a good trend. She said the RSPCA had "a slight change in focus by the inspectors to spend more time educating and helping owners" last year.
"This has reduced the number of seized dogs, which has allowed us to take in a few more surrender and stray dogs," she said.
"It truly is a community effort to achieve this, and responsible owners are the main ones that make it possible."
Ms Ven Dange also said a negotiation with the government in 2015 to take fewer strays and more inspector-seized dogs saw their numbers fall by 42 per cent that year and continue to drop the following year.
In 2008 the RSPCA took in 1135 dogs, not including puppies, and last year 643 dogs came in. More than 1240 cats, not including kittens, were put into RSPCA care in 2008 and 800 last year. Puppies and kittens that went through the shelter also dropped. 196 puppies were taken in compared to 363 nine years earlier. 1085 kittens in 2017, 476 less than in 2008.
Ms Ven Dange said they also deal with fish, reptiles, and sometimes horses, sheep and goats.
