NEWS DESK
Pets need love in life after lockdown PET adoption proved popular last year as lockdowns kept people apart. But now that restrictions have eased, some four-legged friends have found themselves stranded. Local animal shelters have begun filling up with abandoned pets, Kingston Council says. The mayor Steve Staikos has urged residents struggling with the demands of owning a pet to seek support and advice. “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,” he said. “If these problems are addressed early, it is possible to achieve a good outcome for everyone involved. “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.” RSPCA Victoria held webinars late last year to help pet owners deal with the separation anxiety that came from returning to work and school. RSPCA Victoria’s veterinary behaviourist Dr Gabrielle Carter said “dogs are highly social animals that prefer to live in groups and many can become anxious when separated from their owners. Anxiety in pets can be stressful for both pets and their owners so it’s important that we can recognise changes in our dogs’ normal behaviour and understand how to help our dogs when they are anxious.” “Months of restrictions created significant changes to routines, and now
MOORABBIN kids Lachlan and Edie with their dogs Barney and Pippa. Picture: Supplied
we face more changes as life returns to a new normal. It’s now more important than ever for dog owners to understand how to recognise and treat symptoms of separation anxiety,” she said. Cr Staikos said that pet owners should keep in mind that their animals must be registered soon. “Council would also like to remind com-
munity members who have recently adopted a cat or dog, that they must be microchipped, de-sexed and registered with council by 10 April 2021,” he said. “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. 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.” To register a pet visit kingston.vic. gov.au/Services/Pets/DogCat-Registrations
Plans to combat climate change KINGSTON Council has released a draft response plan to decide how it will tackle the issue of climate change. In January 2020, Kingston Council called a “climate emergency” and committed itself to minimising its impact on the environment. A draft response plan has been released for community consultation. The mayor Steve Staikos said “we want our community to let us know if they agree with our priorities for urgent action or have other ideas about how we can respond to this climate crisis, because it affects all of us. We also want to hear how you want to be involved in achieving our community emissions reduction target of net zero by 2030. Reaching this target requires a whole of community response so it’s important we all work together. “Limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees is going to be incredibly tough. Council recognises the level of investment required to reduce emission is substantial and that strong leadership is required.” After calling a climate emergency, council signed a power purchase agreement to use renewable energy for all street lighting and large council buildings by 1 July. Council also says it anticipates that all of its sites will be “powered by green energy under another separate contract from July this year, ensuring that 100 per cent of council’s electricity needs will be provided by renewables.” To view the draft plan visit yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/ceerpto. Initial consultation closes Friday 9 April.
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Classic Residences *Price correct as at February 2021. Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
17 March 2021
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