Camden Council is encouraging residents to lace up their walking shoes, grab the lead and help give local animals a second chance this October, through its new Steps to Second Chances campaign.
Running throughout October, the month-long initiative combines healthy, active lifestyles with animal welfare, encouraging residents to explore Camden's parks and walking tracks while learning more about pet adoption, fostering and responsible pet ownership.
Participants will be able to visit a range of dog-friendly parks and walking tracks across Camden, where they will discover campaign signage featuring fun pet facts, responsible pet ownership tips, inspiring adoption success stories and profiles of animals currently looking for their forever homes.
Each walk also provides the opportunity to scan a QR code to check in, with every check-in going into the draw to win prizes.
The campaign will also feature:
- Weekly takeovers of selected dog parks and walking locations;
- Free Check Your Chip pop-up sessions, where residents can confirm their pet's microchip details with Council staff; and
- A pet photo competition, giving owners of cats and other companion animals the chance to showcase their pets and win prizes.
While the campaign encourages residents to get outdoors with their dogs, cat owners can take part from home by spending quality time playing and interacting with their cats and kittens and by entering the campaign's pet photo competition to showcase their favourite furry family members.
Residents can register online from Monday 14 September to take part in the campaign and receive a free campaign bandana for their pet, while stocks last.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said the campaign was a fun way for the community to support the important work of Council's Animal Care Facility.
"Every year, our Animal Care Facility gives lost and surrendered animals a second chance through rehabilitation, reunification and adoption," she said.
"Steps to Second Chances shines a spotlight on that work while encouraging residents to get outdoors with their pets and learn how they can help give more animals the loving homes they deserve.
"Simple actions like exercising your pet, keeping microchip and registration details up to date and considering adoption or fostering when welcoming a new pet can make a significant difference.
"Our Animal Care Facility changes the lives of animals every day, and through this campaign we're inviting the whole community to be part of those success stories."
The initiative coincides with National Walk Your Dog Week, World Animal Day, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and the October school holidays, making it the perfect opportunity for families to spend time outdoors while supporting local animal welfare.
For more information and registrations, visit camden.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-pets/steps-to-second-changes-campaign
