SPCA shelters across the country are overflowing with animals.
In the last six months, almost 11,000 kittens came into care. And with adoptions slowing down, SPCA is offering to cut fees by 50 percent to get as many animals as possible a permanent home.
A half-price offer on adoption fees was the push one father of two needed to surprise his daughter on Saturday morning.
"These guys wanted a cat and it was half-price so we thought why not. Let's do that, save a cat," the father said.
A grey and white kitten stole their hearts.
"He looks so pretty," his daughter said.
But some couldn't leave with just one.
"We decided to get three because we wanted to keep them all together," another person said.
But moments like these don't happen as often as they used to - with adoptions slowing down.
"Animals are also expensive. They require a lot of time and care," SPCA support services manager Laura Millar said.
"With things getting a little bit tight all round, it can seem like the worst time to get an animal."
The cost of living crisis has meant not as many people are adopting. And the unseasonably warm weather at this time of year means cats are breeding much later in the season than they usually would.
"So in April, we had over 2500 animals come into SPCA shelters across the country which is a huge number of animals. However, we only managed to adopt out about 1800 across the country, so we are still full," Millar said.
The SPCA currently has 20 percent more animals in their care than they did last year, but they're hoping the half-priced adoption deal will help cats like Shemus find a home.
The half-priced adoption is on offer from May 27 to June 2.
For five cats at this centre on Saturday, the discount has helped give them a fresh start.
