'Second chance': pet adoption urged as shelters overflow after Christmas

Aussie animal rescue organisations are flooded with pets that were given as Christmas gifts and surrendered in the following weeks.

"Over the last 6 months, a combination of factors including cost of living and housing instability have put rescues under enormous strain with more animals in need and fewer adoption enquiries," SavourLife founder Michael McTeigue said.

More than 85 per cent of animal rescue organisations in Australia were experiencing a sharp rise in pet surrenders due to financial strain, research from Animal Rescue Cooperative and the Petbarn Foundation found.

An estimated 200,000 dogs are surrendered and around 44,000 healthy dogs are euthanised each year in Australia.

Petbarn Foundation Manager Janelle Miller said "overwhelming demand on rescues and shelters increases during this time of year with a surge of pets being surrendered post-Christmas".

The pet retailer is hosting in-store adoption at selected stores from February 1 to 28 to encourage owners to give an animal a "second chance at life".

"Shelters across the country are home to lots of affectionate, healthy and well-socialised pets of all breeds, ready to fit into a variety of lifestyles," Ms Miller said.

"Rescue Month plays a vital role in raising awareness about the many animals in shelters eagerly waiting for loving homes," she said.

More than 80,000 pets have been adopted through in-store pop-ups since 2012, Petbarn said.

The pet retailer, in partnership with the RSPCA, is running a National Cat Adoption Drive from February 14 to 16 offering heavily discounted prices for a feline.