Registering your Pet with your Local Council
Registering your Pet with your local Council is super important. In the event that they happen to escape, your local Council will be able to swiftly identify and reunite them with you.
At what age do I need to Register my pet?
All dogs and cats over three months old or within 14 days of adopting them to live with you are required to be registered with Local Council by law under the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 if they live within that Council’s local government area. Check your local council’s website & pay the fees online. Tip: Fees may be discounted by some councils if you de-sex your pet.
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Registering your Pet with your local Council helps all Pet Owners in your community.
Council registration fees go towards Staff running a Lost & Found service, helping to create and maintain dog parks with secure gates, drinking taps, and rubbish bins and also Council participate in local pet markets with microchipping & discounted parasite treatment.
Fees also go towards Council Staff to investigate and resolve complaints about dog attacks, barking dogs, patrols of parks, beaches and streets and picking up wandering pets to reunite them with Pet Owners.
Microchipping
Dogs and Cats must be microchipped through a Vet or Shelter and registered from 12 weeks of age. If your pet escapes, a Vet, Council, or Shelter will scan them and your contact details will display on their computer to contact you to pick them up.
Preventing Escape
Puppy proofing your backyard is important. Cats should have an outdoor shaded secure cat net enclosure, or be kept inside.
Bringing home a new pet
In your budget, you’ll need to plan for all the costs involved in owning and maintaining a pet. All pets need a suitable environment, an adequate diet, the ability to exhibit normal behavior patterns, proper housing and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Assuming you’re bringing a pet home, you need to plan for:
– Fresh water: change their water bowl or bottle every morning.
– Fresh food: discard any food that isn’t eaten.
– Clean bed: keep bedding dry and clean; remove dirty bedding each day.
– Exercise: implement a daily exercise routine, whether this is a walk outside or being allowed out of their cage for a while.
– Grooming: grooming keeps your pet’s coat healthy and clean, and helps them relax and bond with you.
Essentials to Buy for Your Pet
When you buy or adopt a pet, you must consider what type of equipment you’ll need. This is especially true if you’re adopting a pet with special needs. To get started, here’s a list of the essentials that apply to all animals:
Bedding: a basket with a blanket will suffice for cats and dogs. Rodents need a suitable cage and bedding, such as shredded paper, shavings or straw, though different rodents have different requirements. For example, never use pine shavings for rats, as they are allergic to the oil, and only use hay for guinea pigs because straw is harsh and can scratch their eyes.
Food and water: cats and dogs need two separate bowls for food and water. Caged animals need a food bowl and a water bottle. Consider purchasing extra bowls and bottles. Clean and wash them regularly.
Grooming: you’ll need brushes or combs, depending on your pet’s coat. For long-haired animals you’ll need fine-toothed combs to remove knots; a metal brush is best for wiry-haired animals.
Exercise: different pets need different leads, collars, garden runs, wheels and other equipment, but they all need exercise. A daily walk not only helps keep your pet fit, but can limit the risk of them getting illnesses such as constipation and diabetes.
Store your Pet’s Council Tag Number on PetCloud. Set Yearly reminders.
Toys: animals need to play as much as humans do. Toys are fun and allow you to interact and bond with your pet. Most rodents need toys they can gnaw to keep their ever-growing teeth at an appropriate size.
Food: consider your pet’s diet requirements. It’s best for all animals to have dry food daily, since it helps keep their teeth clean and trimmed. Some animals need extra or special food. For example, guinea pigs need a lot of vitamin C, so you must feed them fresh vegetables every day. When choosing a pet food, look at its ingredients — some foods contain a lot of sugar and fat, which isn’t good for your pet. If your pet has a medical condition, such as diabetes, you may need to buy special food from your vet.
Vaccinations
Dogs require yearly vaccinations against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and parainfluenza. The first course for puppies is two vaccines, one given at 8 weeks old and the other at 10 weeks old. You must also vaccinate against rabies.
Cats require yearly vaccination against panleucopnia, chlamydia, leukemia and upper respiratory disease. The first course for kittens is two vaccines, one given at 8 weeks old and the other at 12 weeks old.
Parasite control – flea, tick and worming
Both dogs and cats also need flea, tick, and worming treatments. It’s important to treat for fleas every month and for worms every three months. Treatments are available from your local vet.
You can vaccinate rabbits against viral hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis with two shots given separately, every six months. Most other small rodents do not need specific vaccinations, though you should always check with your vet.
Teeth
Animals also need regular dental checks and possibly dental descaling. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and other rodents’ teeth grow continuously and can cause problems if not checked and maintained.
If you don’t like chemical medicines, there are natural and holistic alternatives readily available. For example, acupuncture as a complementary therapy has proved to help with arthritis in dogs and cats, and massage can help calm nervous animals.
There are many homeopathic and herbal remedies available from pharmacies and pet shops that can help with joint suppleness, deterring parasites, aiding digestion and calming traveling animals. Always consult your vet before trying alternative treatments since they may interfere with any conventional medical treatment your pet receives.
The more you know about your pet, the better an owner you will be. The basics outlined here are just a starting point. Remember, you’re bringing a living creature into your home, your family and your life, so take the time to do a little research and get the most out of your relationship.
