HOME SWEET HOME: Mike St Hill-Warren with his new puppy Bruce.
A number of SPCA pets are settling into their new homes following the annual adopt-a-pet campaign.
The Hawke's Bay Today campaign involved publishing a daily profile and photo of an animal available for adoption from all three SPCAs in Hawke's Bay, including SPCA Hastings and Districts, SPCA Napier and Central Hawke's Bay SPCA.
Almost every animal featured had been adopted, the campaign had not been enough to alleviate pressure on staff and facilities.
SPCA Napier centre manager Bruce Wills said they were "chasing our tails," with 150 cats and kittens in urgent need of a home; an epidemic that has well and truly sent them into overdrive.
"Obviously any exposure in the community to let people know that we are a good option takes the pressure off a bit and saves a life."
"Every year, it seems worse than the year before, but it's definitely a seasonal thing. Stats show that we are improving. We are slowly getting on top of the problem. The desexing and trapping programmes are starting to bear fruit. It would be a bit disheartening if they weren't."
Dog-lover Mike St Hill-Warren received a silver lining after his beloved 14-year-old red heeler, Russ, had to be put down due to old age and illness.
Bruce, a 10-month-old, black-and-white Labrador-cross from the Central Hawke's Bay SPCA was the lucky pup.
The social canine was one of the animals featured in the Hawke's Bay Today campaign.
It is not the first time the ex-farmer has adopted an animal from the SPCA, with Bruce being his third dog, among many cats also rescued.
With a passion for animals, particularly dogs, he has previously volunteered at his local SPCA.
Mr St Hill-Warren said he enjoyed giving otherwise unwanted animals a home.
"From the day I got him, he has never left my side. It's like I have had him forever. I have only had one other dog who has bonded with me so quickly."
"A lot of people have their own reasons for doing it. It was a personal choice for me and it worked out."
It seems cats and kittens have been the cause of all the problems.
Central Hawke's Bay SPCA centre manager Renee Hickey was also in agreement, reporting an overflow.
Parvovirus, a disease which affects dogs, has also been causing havoc at the shelter.
"There's always a risk of parvo in any community and it's something that people don't talk about. It's the likes of the SPCA and the pound that end up with these animals. It really needs to get out there."
"All dogs are isolated and we must clean three times a day. The council has supplied us with the parvo test and half of the cleaning costs and we are lucky in that respect," Ms Hickey said.
SPCA Hastings and Districts chairwoman Daileen Kensington said cages were filling up quickly, especially with felines.
"When one goes probably four to five fill its spot. The problem would be solved if animals are desexed."
In a desperate attempt to entice more people to adopt from the SPCA Hastings and Districts and to reduce the population, they have temporarily reduced the cost of cats from $95 to $60.
Cat Delta, 3, was another lucky animal which also featured in the campaign.
Hastings resident, Roland Fly adopted the black-and-white, short-haired cat after his previous cat of eight years had to be put down.
"I have been on my own for about 10 to 12 years and I like the company. I thought I could save at least one of them from getting put down."