Recent estimates suggest that around 4.05 million pets in South Africa are without homes, representing nearly 22% of the total pet population. Of these, approximately 650,000 pets are in shelters, while a further 3.4 million live on the streets without consistent access to food, veterinary care, or protection, according to Humane World for Animals. It’s a reality that makes every adoption meaningful and highlights the importance of getting it right.
While most new pet parent’ step into adoption with the best intentions, a few common misconceptions can shape the experience in ways they don’t expect.
The idea of a ‘perfect fit’
It’s natural to approach adoption with a checklist: size, breed, age, temperament. It feels like the responsible thing to do. However, in practice, the decision is often less straightforward.
Sometimes, the connection with a pet doesn’t align perfectly with what was planned. While practical considerations absolutely matter, the decision often comes down to something more instinctive, a sense of ease or familiarity that’s difficult to quantify but important to recognise.
Matching your lifestyle, not just your preference
This is where tools like the Hill’s Pet Matchmaker app are reshaping the journey. By helping prospective pet parents filter options based on lifestyle compatibility, from activity levels to living environments, the app creates a more intentional starting point.
“Adoption should never be purely emotional or purely practical; it’s about finding the intersection between the two,” says Jackie Quail, Shelter Channel Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “A high-energy dog in a low-activity household, or a shy cat in a chaotic environment, can lead to unnecessary stress on both sides. The goal is to set both pet and pet parent up for long-term success.”
Shelters are there to guide, not gatekeep
For many first-time adopters, the shelter process can feel overwhelming. Home checks, interviews, and behavioural assessments may seem like hurdles, but they serve a very clear and important purpose.
These steps are designed to ensure that both the pet and the household are well matched, reducing the likelihood of pets being returned or rehomed later.
“Shelters are looking at the bigger picture,” Quail explains. “They’re thinking about the long-term outcome, not the moment of adoption alone. That’s what helps create more stable, lasting placements: a forever home for the pet.”
Adoption is one part of a bigger picture
Adoption is often seen as the primary way to help animals in need, and it’s an important one. However, it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.
Uncontrolled breeding continues to drive the number of homeless pets. This is where sterilisation plays a critical role.
As part of its ongoing commitment to pet welfare, Hill’s recently partnered with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the GEM Project to support a Sterilisation Day in Atlantis, where 60 pets were sterilised, with Hill’s covering both the procedure costs and food for the day.
“Adoption gives a pet a second chance, but sterilisation helps reduce the number of pets needing that chance in the first place,” says Quail. “If we want to see lasting change, we need to focus on both.”
Understanding the commitment
One of the biggest surprises for new pet parents is what happens after adoption. Settling into a new environment takes time, and not every pet adjusts immediately. There may be behavioural quirks, moments of uncertainty, or simply a period of learning on both sides.
“Bringing a pet home is the start of something that develops over time,” Quail adds. “It requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. This is also what makes it so rewarding.”
A more considered approach
At its core, responsible adoption is about moving beyond the idea of a perfect pet and focusing instead on a realistic, well-matched relationship.
With support from shelters, guidance from tools like the Hill’s Pet Matchmaker app, and a broader understanding of the role sterilisation plays, new pet parents are better equipped to make decisions that last.
When adoption is approached with care and clarity, it becomes more than a single act; it becomes part of a much bigger solution.
Visit the Hill’s website for more information
