Its's a milestone achievement for the shelter, which does not euthanase any healthy, rehomeable animals.

Supervisor Jodie Parnell said there were a number of reasons for the increase in adoptions and decrease in abandonments - many related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owners spending more time at home means animals are less likely to escape the backyard, and the fear of being stuck at home alone for months on end was a strong motivator for many to bring home a furry friend.

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"Sometimes when an animal gets out and is handed in to the shelter, the owner can;t afford to pay the fee and the animal has to be rehomed," she said.

"We're actually seeing less of that, because JobKeeper has boosted some people's incomes.

"And funnily enough the less animals you have the more adoptions you do.

"If people come in for a dog and there are 12 dogs, the choice can be overwhelming. But if there are only three dogs to choose from, they're much more likely to make a decision to take one home."

The number of returns has also decreased in past weeks.

Anyone hoping to adopt a pet in coming weeks need not fear however - the shelter rarely remains quiet for long.

There are already some kittens and pups waiting to be desexed before they can be made available for adoption.

Ms Parnell said if family members are spending more time at home during the pandemic, it can be an ideal time to adopt.

All the extra time together make it easier for the new pet to settle in, and make it more likely they will develop good habits around the house.

"The kids are only at school one day a week, so there's an opportunity for the whole family to fall in love," Ms Parnell said.

"But any time is a great time to adopt a pet. And the community in the Shoalhaven has given us so much support - lots of people will only adopt from a shelter now."