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Domestic Cats are natural hunters even if your cat is well fed and happy. Native wildlife that cats like to hunt include; possums, bandicoots, marsupial mice, gliders, bats, snakes, lizards, frogs, and birds. Cats may also spread disease to native wildlife through bites and scratches.

Here’s what you can do as a responsible pet owner to help encourage and protect native wildlife in your backyard and neighbourhood:

• Provide a birdbath for drinking and bathing that is out of reach of your pet, or provide a possum-nesting box and place it high up in a tree.

• Report injured wildlife to organisations such as WIRES and Sydney Wildlife.

• Include native plants in your garden. Dense shrubs are good at providing habitat and shelter, attracting native wildlife such as birds, lizards, invertebrates, frogs, butterflies and native bees.

• Use chemical free fertilisers, sprays and baits to control pests and diseases, reducing the impacts of hazardous chemicals on wildlife or pets.

• Keep cats in at night – this saves wildlife and reduces the risk of your cat being injured. If you want to keep your cat and wildlife safe but still give your cat some ‘outside’ time consider building or installing an outdoor cat enclosure.

• Keep your pet away from sensitive areas such as bushland – pets are not allowed in National Parks and dogs must be kept on a leash in Council managed bushland reserves.

• If you can no longer care for your rabbit or small pets such as rats, mice, or guinea pigs try to rehome them or take them to a shelter - never release them into bushland, and fish should not be flushed down the drain as they may impact on the local waterway.

When in a public place dogs must be kept on a leash except in a designated off-leash area. When in an off-leash area dogs must be under the effective control of a competent person at all times.

Off-leash dog areas include:• Rawson Park • Lawry Plunkett Reserve (top of Plunkett Rd)• Reid Park • Spit Reserve • Clifton Gardens Reserve, Sirius Park, Rosherville

Reserve, Sirius Cove Beach, and Spit East/West Beach (Mon-Fri, and Sat/Sun/Public Holidays before 9am & after 4pm).

For more information on off-leash areas, time restrictions and areas in Mosman where dogs are prohibited, go to www.mosman.nsw.gov.au

As a dog owner, under the Companion Animals Act 1998, you are required to pick up after your dog immediately when out walking or playing, and dispose of dog faeces appropriately.

Not picking up after your dog can result in a fine being issued. Council provides doggy bags at bin stations in its parks and reserves for your use.

Seeing (and smelling) dog faeces on the street, pathways, in the park, or on the beach is not pleasant or aesthetically pleasing. During rain dog faeces may wash into the stormwater system or directly into our beaches and bays which could become a health issue.

So please consider your community and pick up after your dog. Do the right thing - scoop it, bag it, and bin it for a cleaner and healthier Mosman!

RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP

IT STARTS WITH YOU

Microchipping and registering your cat or dog is compulsory and requires only two simple steps:

1) Have your dog or cat microchipped by your local vet by 12 weeks of age, and

2) Register your pet on the NSW Companion Animals Register, through your local Council.

A microchipped pet is more easily found if lost. Also ensure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tags with your contact details.

Desexing your pet is recommended to prevent the likelihood of aggression and reduce unwanted litters.

Training stimulates your pet helping to prevent boredom, and improves behaviour. Take time each day to train your pet or attend training classes.

Dogs need regular exercise. The amount of exercise your dog will require depends on the breed, not necessarily the size. Add variety to exercise by walking in different areas, or by taking your dog to an off-leash area to play ball and socialise. Agility is also a fun way for your dog to exercise. Remember to put your dog on a lead when in a public place other than an off-leash area. Your dog must always remain under the effective control of a competent person.

Be aware of the nutritional and energy needs of your pet throughout its life. For instance puppies have different nutritional and energy needs to older dogs. Consider whether your pet is receiving its dietary requirements and nutritional value from the food you are providing.

Dogs bark naturally, however barking can become excessive. Dogs bark most frequently when their owner is not at home and can be caused by boredom, anxiety, disturbances, or habit. Ensure you provide enough stimulation for your dog including toys or kongs to keep your dog amused during the day.

Prevent your pet from roaming. For the safety of your dog, ensure that you have secure fencing so that your dog cannot roam the streets.

For the safety of your cat (and native wildlife) it is best to keep cats indoors, especially between dusk and dawn. Cats allowed outside to roam can also be at risk of being run over, attacked by other animals, and may be more exposed to disease, parasites or poisons. All cats should wear a collar with two bells attached as a warning to native wildlife.

Pets can get scared during fireworks displays and thunderstorms. Make sure your pets are confined securely to prevent them from running away or injurying themselves.

Travelling in the car. To ensure the safety of everyone in the car your pet should be properly secured with a harness or seat belt. Pets should not sit on your lap or in the front seat of your car, it is also an offence to have a dog travel in the back of a utility if not secured. If you are travelling long distances take stops along the way to let your dog stretch its legs and have a drink. Pets should never be left alone in the car as it does not take long to succumb to heat stroke.

Australians have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Pets provide their owners with companionship, fun, and better health. In return we need to become a responsible pet owner.

Before purchasing a pet consider the responsibility of owning a pet. Some of these responsibilities can be quite costly so ensure that you can afford to care for your pet for the duration of its life.• It is vital to consider the type of pet that will suit

your lifestyle and commitment level. Research different breeds and choose a breed that is appropriate for you in terms of size, exercise required, level of grooming, potential medical problems, disposition, and need for socialisation.

• Puppies and kittens need a lot of care and attention – if you don’t have time then consider adopting an older pet.

• Consider whether you should get two pets as companions for each other if you are away from home during the day. If you already have a pet at home consider how bringing a new animal into the home will be received by existing pets.

• Only get your puppy/kitten from a reputable breeder or consider giving a dog/cat a good home by adopting from an animal rescue organisation.

• Avoid puppy farms that breed puppies for profit. Breeding dogs in these conditions is a primary animal welfare concern. For more information go to the RSPCA’s Smart Puppy Buyers Guide which can be downloaded at www.rspca.org.au/