As the community went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people across the Central West decided to adopt a pet to keep them company at home.

Petbarns in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange have a pet adoption facility, with RSPCA vetted cats, dogs and pocket pets (rabbits and guinea pigs) with 100 per cent of the adoption fee going to the charity.

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From March until early June, the number of pet adoption at the Dubbo store increased, with 192 animals finding a new home compared to 177 during the same period last year.

In Bathurst adoption rates declined with eight animals adopted out compared to 23 during the same time in 2019.

At Orange's Petbarn, just 11 animals were adopted which is down from 30.

An RSPCA spokesman said there was a surge in pet adoptions across NSW from March to June, but most were adopted through the charity's Adopt From Home campaign.

While the campaign was a huge success with 2655 animals across the state finding a new home, he said it resulted in less animals being available at Petbarn stores.

"It is heart-warming to see Australians turn to animal companionship during these unprecedented times," the spokesman said.

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"We were happy to be able to find homes for animals in need given the challenges surrounding the global pandemic with our Adopt from Home campaign."

The spokesman said although the adoption process changed during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the RSPCA's commitment to finding the right homes for the right animals did not.

"We still vetted applications through a number of measures including online application forms, phone and video calls, and meeting the prospective buyers at their residence," he said.

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"We had no shortage of applicants wanting to adopt a pet so it was not about finding the first home, or any home, but the right home for each animal."

With many people now returning to the office or workplace following the lockdowns, the spokesman said he was hopeful that it would not lead to a surge in animal surrenders.

"There is always the chance that some animals might be returned once people's lives return to relative normality, but we are confident in our application process that we hope to limit any returns," he said.

Orange's RSPCA shelter, the only one of its kind in the Central West, reopened to the public earlier this month.

See all the animals up for adoption here.