Canberra animal rescue groups are under growing strain as the cost-of-living crisis forces more pet owners to surrender their four-footed companions — and Petstock is urging the public to help by adopting a pet this month.

Petstock is holding its yearly Pet Adoption Month throughout May. The campaign aims to raise $150,000 nationwide for more than 230 grassroots rescue partners.

“We’re connecting rescue pets with loving families, supporting incredible grassroots rescues that are doing hard work, and making some real noise about the importance of adoption across Australia and New Zealand,” Naomi Mancktelow, the Petstock Foundation’s community engagement lead, said.

The campaign comes as nearly 8,000 animals await adoption. They include dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and even horses.

“They are healthy, loved, and just waiting for the right family to walk through the door,” Ms Mancktelow said.

“So many of these pets are already beautifully trained. Our rescue pets are not in shelters or foster homes because of behavioural issues. Generally, they’re there simply because life circumstances have changed for previous owners — so these wonderful animals are ready to be someone’s best mate.”

One in six Australian pet owners have seriously considered rehoming their animal due to financial pressures, Ms Mancktelow said, including costs of living, housing changes, rising vet costs, and the everyday expenses of caring for a pet.

Petstock Gungahlin assistant manager Trex Edgington said some local owners were struggling.

“Given the cost-of-living crisis, a lot of people are finding it harder to give their animals the best life that they want to be able to give them,” Mr Edgington said.

“A lot of people have been surrendering their animals because they just can’t afford to keep them anymore, and they do that to try and give them a better chance with someone else.”

But rescue groups are also feeling the pressure.

Shannon Mortlock, founder of Whisker Woods Animal Sanctuary, said rescues were constantly full and scrambling to make space or find foster carers.

“We need the help – we’re over worked, we’re underfunded, we’re exhausted,” Ms Mortlock said.

“If we don’t have people willing to step up and foster pets in need, the strain in shelters and the strain for the pets that don’t have that temporary housing situation grows and grows.”

The Petstock Foundation is raising money through in-store and online donations, and sales of its ‘Buddy’ plush toys. Funds will help rescue groups pay for food, vet care, housing, and desexing programs.

More than 200 animals were rescued nationally in the first two weeks of Pet Adoption Month.

Petstock Gungahlin has adopted out seven cats this year — one went to a new home this week — as well as 12 guinea pigs.

“Pets are great company; they provide so much warmth and happiness,” Mr Edgington said.

“But also it’s never nice to see animals in neglected situations. Every animal deserves a second chance.”

He recalled one cat, Macaroon, was rescued by Whisker Woods one day before she would have been euthanised at another facility.

“She was with us for about two and a half, three weeks before she was adopted out to a very loving little home,” he said.

Pets can be adopted through adoption agencies, the RSPCA, or Petstock stores.

“Rescues and pounds are full of little lives just waiting to be saved; rescuing saves a life and gives a deserving animal a second chance at happiness,” Ms Mortlock said.

“Rescuing an animal opens up a space for another animal to be rescued. Generally rescued animals are a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder. I’m always in pounds rescuing, and the little faces that stare back at me week after week, it’s heartbreaking – there are so many amazing animals just waiting for a chance.”

Petstock will give new adopters $20 in their store accounts.

Pet owners considering surrendering their animals should contact rescue groups or shelters, which can connect them with organisations offering help with pet food or vet costs.

“There are avenues that you can reach out to that may be able to give you support to get you through that moment of crisis and keep you with the pet that you love so much,” Ms Mancktelow said.

Ms Mortlock urged pet owners to desex their domestic animals; train their dogs; and think carefully before hatching chickens.

“For over 20 years, I’ve seen each kitten season explode, filling up rescues and pounds with kittens and giving the adult cats very little chance of adoption,” she said.

“I’ve seen so many people over the years let their dog or cat have ‘just one litter’ because they think they can easily give away the puppies/kittens – this takes a home away from animals in a rescue or pound.”

Visit Petstock stores in Fyshwick, Belconnen, and Gungahlin or the online Adoption Hub for more information.