Pets are for life, not just for lockdowns
Kingston Council is urging new pet owners to seek advice if they are struggling to look after their furry family member.
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, many families bought a pet to provide them with companionship and there was a surge of pet ownership across Victoria. Unfortunately, as restrictions have eased, animal shelters have been filling up with pets that are being abandoned.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said there are alternative options available to pet owners who are starting to feel the strain. "Some pet owners may have found themselves grappling with time constraints, or behavioural changes in pets, that don't have you all to themselves anymore," said Cr Staikos. "If these problems are addressed early, it is possible to achieve a good outcome for everyone involved."
RSPCA Victoria offers the following advice for pet owners to take steps to adjust to this change:
- try to maintain a routine which includes some quality time with your pets every day
- introduce them to alone time in a positive way, i.e. leave a treat for them when you head out
- make departures and arrivals as uneventful as possible
- try to give them a few minutes of exercise before you head off
- provide them with a cosy nook they can feel safe in at home
"If families are interested in bringing a pet into their home we're really encouraging them to consider adopting a rescue pet instead, especially with our local animal shelters filling up," Cr Staikos said.
Council would also like to remind community members who have recently adopted a cat or dog, that they must be microchipped, de-sexed and registered with Council by 10 April 2021.
"This is a state-wide legislation which Councils are required to oversee, but it has many benefits – and is the best way to ensure families are reunited with their pets if they are lost or run away," said Cr Staikos.
"The registration fee also pays for parks, pet exercise equipment, the local response to dangerous animals, school education programs and monitoring of animal welfare standards in pet shops, kennels, catteries, breeding and training businesses."
This is all featured in a Free Guide to Responsible Pet Ownership, which is available in the Autumn 2021 edition of Kingston Your City. "The Free Guide also includes details about the 2021 Pet Expo, rules about keeping cats indoors at night, a map to find Kingston's 30+ off-leash parks and reserves, and details of the city's free biodegradable dog litter bags," said Cr Staikos.
Kingston Your City has been distributed to households across Kingston and is available online.
