The countdown is on, with Camden Council's Steps to Second Chances campaign officially beginning this week!
Running throughout October, the campaign encourages residents to get active with their pets, explore Camden's parks and walking tracks, discover inspiring adoption stories and learn more about responsible pet ownership, adoption and fostering.
Throughout the month, residents will find Steps to Second Chances signage at locations across Camden, featuring fascinating dog and cat facts, real adoption success stories, adoptable pet profiles, responsible pet ownership information, and details about Council's Animal Care Facility and fostering opportunities, including:
1. Dog parks:
- Burrell Road Fenced Dog Park in Spring Farm;
- River Road Reserve Dog Park in Elderslie;
- Leash Free Park in Narellan;
- Bicentennial Equestrian Park in Camden;
- Titan Park Fenced Dog Park in Oran Park;
- Champions Park Fenced Dog Park in Oran Park;
- Catherine Park Fenced Dog Park in Catherine Field;
- Gregory Hills Fenced Dog Park in Gregory Hills; and
- Emerald Hills Dog Park in Leppington.
2. Walking tracks:
- Spring Farm Lake along Burrell Road in Spring Farm;
- Camden Bike Track, including Cowpasture Reserve, John Peat Reserve, Belgenny Reserve and Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve;
- Bicentennial Equestrian Park; and
- Harrington Park Lake in Harrington Park.
Each week, the campaign will also "take over" a different location across Camden, with themed signage and engaging content installed to encourage residents to learn more about responsible pet ownership, adoption and fostering. The schedule for these activations is:
- Thursday 1 October to Friday 9 October - Spring Farm Lake, Burrell Road;
- Friday 9 October to Friday 16 October - Harrington Park Lake;
- Friday 16 October to Friday 23 October - Camden Bike Track; and
- Friday 23 October to Saturday 31 October - Champagnat Park, Gregory Hills.
Council will also host Check Your Chip stations, providing residents with the opportunity to confirm their pet's microchip details are up to date while speaking directly with Council staff. Sessions will be held on:
- Thursday 1 October at Spring Farm Lake;
- Wednesday 7 October at a location which is to be confirmed the week of;
- Wednesday 14 October at Harrington Park Lake;
- Wednesday 21 October at Camden Bike Track; and
- Wednesday 28 October at Champagnat Park.
Residents who register for the campaign can collect a free pet bandana and begin checking in at participating locations throughout the month using QR codes displayed along the walking routes. Every check-in gives participants another chance to win campaign prizes.
Pet owners who don't have a dog are also encouraged to get involved by entering the campaign's pet photo competition, with entries opening at 10am on Thursday 1 October.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Vince Ferreri, said the Steps to Second Chances campaign was jam-packed with information and fun.
"This campaign is about so much more than exercise - it's an opportunity to support animals waiting for a second chance and learn more about the work our Animal Care Facility does every day," he said.
"It's also the perfect opportunity to really consider those thoughts about adopting a fur-baby and how rewarding it can be. There's so much to learn about our amazing animals that will make us two-legged guys so much more appreciative of them.
"We're really looking forward to meeting residents throughout October, celebrating our local pets and hopefully helping even more animals find their forever families."
Residents can still register to participate and receive a free campaign bandana while stocks last.
For campaign details, event dates and registration information, visit camden.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-pets/steps-to-second-changes-campaign
