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Australians embrace furry friends

A furry friend to fight lockdown loneliness.

With more Australians staying at home due to stricter confinement rules, some are turning to adopting and fostering pets as new companions.

The RSPCA in New South Wales has seen a surge in applications to adopt pets, which the charity says is a welcome move.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS NEW SOUTH WALES, STEVE COLEMAN, SAYING:

"In the weekend just gone we saw almost a 300% increase in the adoptions across our state, which is just terrific. So we're going to keep doing what we can to make sure that every animal in our care that can be adopted is adopted, but making sure that people are safe along the way."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stressed the need for continuing strict social distancing measures.

And more time at home for Sydney school teacher Chris, was the perfect excuse to adopt a feline friend.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SYDNEY SCHOOL TEACHER AND CAT ADOPTER CHRIS MOYSA, SAYING:

"I've been hanging out to adopt a cat for a while. We're all going to be indoors for a fair bit, so I figured now is as good as a time as any."

But the RSPCA is reminding new pet parents that the responsibility of pet ownership doesn't stop when the world goes back to normal.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS NEW SOUTH WALES, STEVE COLEMAN, SAYING:

"It's just really important to make sure people know what they're getting themselves into. But again encouraging to see people turning to animals for companionship whether its just for the next few weeks or months and in many cases an animal for life."