The partnership began in June 2012 and Petbarn Orange store manager Jason Ribbons said the program has become more popular as time has gone by.

“It’s picked up and going gangbusters, to start off with most people didn’t know we were doing the adoptions,” Mr Ribbons said.

“[Saturday] already we rehoused one adult cat and two kittens and then the RSPCA dropped off another three adult cats in the afternoon, they should by the end of the week get rehomed as well.

“All the money raised goes back to the RSPCA, not only are we saving lives by adopting kittens and cats out to families we are raising money for the RSPCA,” he said.

Mr Ribbons said a wide cross-section of people came in looking to adopt cats or kittens from families to young couples and older couples.

Orange RSPCA volunteer Kerry Warrington said compared to dogs found roaming the streets, cats are the big problem in Orange.

“RSPCA is often full of cats and kittens that have been abandoned because cats reproduce at a great rate,” Mrs Warrington said.

She said feral cats pose a threat to native birds and wildlife and desexing programs, responsible pet ownership, adoption services and microchipping are vital to get numbers down. 

More than 5000 animals have been saved this past financial year across Petbarn’s 100 Pet Adoption Centres in Australia, double the amount of adoptions in the same period last year.

In partnership with a number of animal charities, including RSPCA, Pets Haven and Cat Haven, more than 16,091 animals across Australia have been saved from being euthanised since the program launched.