Animal Management Kit

Welcome ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

New Laws surrounding Pet Ownership .......................................................................................... 5

Laws and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 6

Your Dog and the Law ......................................................................................................................... 8

What does effective control look like? ............................................................................................ 8

Limit of dogs on premises .................................................................................................................. 8 Are you a responsible dog owner? ................................................................................................... 4

A day in the life of Community Safety at Charles Sturt ........................................................... 10 Thank you! ........................................................................................................................................... 11

Dog spaces in Charles Sturt ....................................................................................................................... 5 Dogs on the foreshore ...................................................................................................................... 12

Pick up after your dog, keep our city clean 12

Your Dog & the Public ....................................................................................................................... 14

Dog On Leash Areas ........................................................................................................................... 14 When to Leash Flowchart 15

Doggy Parks ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Before entering ................................................................................................................................... 16 While inside the dog park ................................................................................................................ 16 Dog Parks within Charles Sturt ...................................................................................................... 16 How to tell if your dog is enjoying the dog park ....................................................................... 18

Free Community Doggy Events .............................................................................................................. 22

Doggy Day on the Green .................................................................................................................. 24 Doggy Day at the Beach ................................................................................................................... 24

Behaviour or Communication Seminars ...................................................................................... 24

Beach Pop up Education Stalls ........................................................................................................ 24

Barking .......................................................................................................................................................... 26

Dog Attacks or Harassments ................................................................................................................... 28

Dog attack and Bite avoidance ....................................................................................................... 28

What should I do if a strange dog approaches me? .................................................................. 28 What happens when the council picks up a dog wandering at large? ................................ 30

Cost and Benefit of Pet Ownership ....................................................................................................... 32

Thinking about getting another dog? .......................................................................................... 34

It’s a Dog’s Life ............................................................................................................................................. 36 Development 36 Perception ............................................................................................................................................ 36

How do dogs communicate? ........................................................................................................... 37 Behaviour - Why do dogs do what they do? ................................................................................ 38

Is there such thing as a bad dog? ................................................................................................... 38 What’s the deal with dominance? ................................................................................................. 38

Play and Socialisation ....................................................................................................................... 40 Training ................................................................................................................................................. 42

Puppy Classes ...................................................................................................................................... 42 Pet Manners Classes .......................................................................................................................... 43 Exercise and Enrichment 44 Weathering the Weather ................................................................................................................. 44 Equipment ........................................................................................................................................... 45

Kids and Dogs 46

Pet Services 48

Pets of Charles Sturt .......................................................................................................................... 50 Vets of Charles Sturt .......................................................................................................................... 51

Cats ................................................................................................................................................................ 52

Be a responsible cat owner 54

Benefits of having an ‘inside’ cat .................................................................................................... 54 Ways to keep your inside cat happy and healthy ...................................................................... 55 Lost Cats ............................................................................................................................................... 56

Found Cats ........................................................................................................................................... 56

Limit of cats per household ............................................................................................................. 56

The City of Charles Sturt Animal Management Kit Information accurate as of October 2018

Welcome

Welcome to the wonderful world of pet ownership and congratulations on the newest member of your family!

Dogs and cats are great members of the family when included in our daily lives and taught with patience, consistency and understanding.

Pet ownership is extremely rewarding and owning a pet has been associated with healthy living and overall greater enjoyment of life. But it does come with some responsibilities to ensure we can enjoy our furry companions and community spaces comfortably and safely.

This booklet outlines important information about the laws and responsibilities of pet ownership as well as useful information about dog behaviour, communication and training to help your new companion become a confident, sociable and valued member of your family.

New Laws Surrounding Pet Ownership

New dog and cat management laws commence from 1 July 2018.

That is, all dogs and cats must be:

• Microchipped prior to 3 months (12 weeks) of age, or within 28 days after the owner taking possession of them.

• Desexed before 6 months of age, or within 28 days after the owner takes possession of them, if they are born after the 1 July 2018.

You can find out more about the new reforms here: www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au

LAWS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Your Dog and The Law

Under provisions of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, you are lawfully required to:

• Register your dog by 3 months (12 weeks) of age

• Renew your dog’s registration online each year between 1 July and 31 August

• Ensure your dog is wearing a collar and registration disc at all times whilst in a public place

Please register your pet through Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) (http://www. dogandcatboard.com.au/dogs-andcats-online/), where you can find out more information about fees and any discounts you may be eligible for.

Registering your dog also ensures our officers are able to return your dog home quickly if it ever escapes your yard or slips its leash.

Please check the registration application form for all the important details for registration, as well as any discounts that may be available to you for desexed dogs, or other concessions. If you have purchased your dog from the Animal Welfare League, RSPCA or any other licenced rescue centre, the first year of

dog registration is free.

The registered owner must be a person aged 16 years or over, and is required to update Dogs and Cats Online as soon as practicable if any of the following occur:

• The dog is moved to different premises, the dog passes away, or is missing for more than 72 hours; or

• Ownership of the dog is transferred to another person

Failure to comply with these legal requirements may result in an expiation. Please note:

• Your dog is required to be on lead, maximum length of 2m, in any public space, footpath or oval unless otherwise signed.

• Your dog must be on a lead within 5m of a playground

• You are required to carry a poo bag with you at all times when out with your dog, regardless of whether your dog defecates on walks or not

• Your dog can only be off lead in off lead spaces (including dog parks) if they are under effective control at all times

What Does Effective Control Look Like?

In areas where dogs can be off lead, owners are required by law to make sure their dogs are under effective control. This means that the person in control of the dog must be able to demonstrate voice control of the dog, and the dog must be in close proximity and within sight of the person at all times.

If you are unsure, or if your dog is boisterous (even if they’re friendly and mean well), please keep them on a lead.

Limit Of Dogs On Premises

As per City of Charles Sturt By-Law Number 5, the limit on the number of dogs kept:

• In a small premises shall be one dog

• In a premises other than a small premises, where a dog can be effectively contained, the limit shall be two dogs

If you wish to keep more than the allowable number of dogs, a permit process and application fees apply. The permit application for excess dogs can be found here: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/webdata/ resources/files/Keep_Excess_Dogs_Permit.pdf

If you are unsure whether your property is suitable, contact us to discuss your present situation with a Community Safety Officer.

Are You A Responsible Dog Owner?

Be a responsible dog owner by:

• Adhering to the Dog and Cat Management Laws:

1. Register, desex and microchip your dog;

2. Pick up after your dog in public spaces;

3. Walk your dog on a leash no longer than 2m;

4. Ensure your dog is under effective control when off lead in off lead areas.

• Ensuring your dog has access to ample shade, shelter and water throughout the day.

• Exercising your dog daily.

• Ensuring vaccinations, worming, flea treatments and vet checks are up to date

• Supervising young children near your dog.

• Attending basic pet manners training classes or puppy pre-schools (or otherwise learning how to train your dog using methods endorsed by the RSPCA SA).

• Providing mental enrichment for your dog while you’re away.

A Day In The Life Of Community Safety

At Charles Sturt

At Charles Sturt, our Community Safety Officers are run off their feet every day meeting the needs of our community. The Community Safety Officer role is a varied one, dealing with all aspects of animal management and parking, as well as other seasonal requirements. While every single day looks different, a day in the life of one of our Officers can involve any of the below:

• Processing customer requests (including complaints), responding to emails, finalising documentation.

• Investigation of barking complaints: Discussing the situation with the complainant and the dog owner. Once some recommendations to reduce barking have been provided to the dog owner, a period of several weeks is required before reassessing the problem (behaviour change can be a complex process). If the barking persists, barking dog diaries are completed by complainants and Officers to ascertain the severity of the problem. Barking dog complaints are frequent, and the process takes lots of our Officers’ time as they try to work with the owner to ensure the dog’s behavioural and mental needs are met, instead of resorting to punishment based or ‘quick fix’ approaches.

• Rapid response to dog wandering at large reports (usually when the Officer is on

their way to another scheduled visit or meeting!): Dogs wandering at large are taken seriously, but often, by the time the Officer arrives, the dog has moved from the area. Wherever they can Officers encourage dogs to come to them using treats and allow them to move into the vans at their own pace. Our Officers love to be able to identify any contained dogs easily by microchip or ID tag, and return them home as quickly as possible. When returning wandering dogs home, Officers also discuss with the owner how the dog escaped the yard and what can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

• Rapid response to dog attack reports: A formal investigation involving contacting the victim, talking to witnesses, identifying the dog and owner responsible, conducting interviews and processing control orders. Dog attack investigations and resulting legal documentation can take weeks or months to finalise, depending on the case.

• Responding to parking complaints: In addition to dealing with cars that overstay their time limits, our Officers frequently respond to illegal parking complaints where inconsiderate drivers have blocked access to driveways, businesses, footpaths, ramps or bike lanes.

• Processing and enforcing requests for cutting back overgrown foliage that restricts footpaths or that may become a fire hazard in the summer months.

• Conducting beach, dog park and linear park patrols to ensure dogs and people are sharing the space comfortably and safely, and that dogs are on leash during specified times, or that, if off lead, dogs are under effective control.

• School patrols: Dealing with illegal and unsafe parking around schools to ensure parents drop off and pick up their children safely within designated areas, and not on school crossings, at intersections or double parked on the street.

• Dealing with abandoned vehicles: This incorporates a legal requirement of notification on the vehicle, attempts to identify, locate and contact the owner, and, where all else fails, organising for the vehicle to be towed. Abandoned vehicles take considerable time for Officers to deal with.

• Excess dog permit applications: Where residents want to have more than two dogs on their property, inspections need to take place to ensure the property is suitable for more dogs, as well as discussing the dynamic of owning three dogs.

Thank You!

At Charles Sturt we understand that the majority of dog owners do the right thing.

While we enforce leash by-laws through expiation, we also work very hard to acknowledge and support dog owners that do the right thing. We prefer to educate before enforce. Keep an eye out for our beach patrol car during daylight savings on the foreshore, and stop and have a chat. Our Beach Education Officer always has some small dog-related giveaways to thank our responsible dog owners.

We want to take this opportunity to thank YOU for being a responsible dog owner and caring about how your dog can be involved in our community while ensuring everyone is happy and safe.

DOGS SPACES IN CHARLES STURT

Dogs On The Beach

Controls apply to dogs on the foreshore within the City of Charles Sturt (Semaphore Park, Tennyson, Grange, Henley Beach and West Beach).

Dogs must be on a leash (no more than 2m) between 10am and 8pm during daylight savings period, and must be under effective control at all other times. Expiation notices may be issued where a person does not have their dog on lead at the right time, or under effective control. Regardless of the time or season, dogs need to be on lead on any footpath or public space on the way to the beach.

Dog waste is not only unsightly, but severely impacts on others’ enjoyment of community spaces, including children playing sport on reserves, or enjoying a day on the foreshore. It also poses environmental and health risks.

You may be expiated for not picking up after your dog. Please be responsible and ensure everyone can enjoy our spaces equally.

Your Dog & The Public

The Dog and Cat Management Act (1995) sets out a number of offences for which the owner responsible for the control of the dog can be fined.

Should your dog attack or harass another member of the public, severe consequences will result. It is also an offence if your dog is found wandering at large and you may be fined.

Regardless of whether your dog is friendly or not, please respect others’ rights to enjoy public spaces without being approached by a dog. You can ensure that others can continue to feel safe by either having your dog on lead, or, if in an off-lead zone, calling your dog away. There are many reasons why people might not want to be approached by other dogs. Please respect everyone in our public spaces.

Dog On Leash Areas

Within the City of Charles Sturt

Under the Dog and Cat Management Act (1995), dog owners are required to keep their dogs on a leash (no greater than 2m) in public places such a streets, roads and footpaths.

In addition, the following locations are on leash areas within the City of Charles Sturt:

• Collins Reserve, Valetta Road, Fulham Gardens

• Fresh Water Lake (Duck Pond), West Lakes Boulevard, West Lakes

• Henley Square, Henley Beach

• Nancy Fisher Reserve, Hurcombe Street, Henley Beach South

• Nedford Reserve, Nedford Crescent, Fulham Gardens

• Parfitt Square, Drayton Street, Bowden

• Toledo Reserve, Toledo Avenue, West Beach

• Jubilee Reserve, Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore (during sporting events)

• St Clair Recreation Reserve, Woodville Road, Woodville (Ovals 3 and 4 are on leash during sporting events, off leash and under effective control at other times; Oval 2 is on leash at all times)

• West Lakes lake (on walkway around lake)

• On the foreshore, between 10am and 8pm Daylight savings time

Dog Parks

At Charles Sturt, we value space where dogs can be dogs. While they are fully fenced, dogs in our dog parks are still required to be under effective control, well behaved and friendly. All dogs within our dog parks must be accompanied by their owner or other responsible person in control of the dog.

Before entering:

Please read the park rules at a dog park before entering, and ensure your dog’s play style will match the type of play that is already occurring inside.

Dog parks are not for dogs that:

• Prefer to spend time by themselves

• Are uncomfortable, reactive or aggressive towards other dogs (dog fights are not normal aspects of dog behaviour, and it is not okay to ‘let the dogs sort it out’. This approach puts your dog and the other dog at huge risk. Aggression can happen for many reasons, and a dog park is no place for such behaviour).

• Are in season, or coming into season. Please provide two weeks either side of your dog’s season to ensure no issues arise from attending the dog park.

• Are unsteady, old, sore, injured, blind or overly tired

• Resource guard people, themselves, space, toys, water, food or other items

• Bully, obsess over, push, pin or herd other dogs or people

• Dog parks are not family spaces. Please keep an eye on your children and respect that other dogs may not be as used to children as your dog is. Calm and quiet children are welcome at dog parks.

While inside the dog park:

Let your dog off lead as soon as possible. Keep an eye on your dog at all times. Dog parks are not free day-care and still require you to be present and engaged in your dog’s play. Ensure your dog is comfortable and actively seeking play or interaction with other dogs. If not, try some alternate exercise options – walks on lead on the beach, or along linear park, etc.

Dog Parks Within Charles Sturt

‘Pooch Park’

Tedder Reserve, Flinders Park

Located within the beautiful landscape of Linear Park, Pooch Park is open to dogs of all ages that enjoy socialising with other dogs within a secure and safe fenced area. Pooch Park has an extensive range of dog agility equipment, making it the ultimate in dog playgrounds. Toilet facilities are close by.

‘Puppy Park’

Sam Johnson Reserve, Devon Park

South Australia’s first Puppy Park is a purpose built facility exclusively and designed for puppy socialisation, exploration and play. The park is a reasonable sized fenced area, where owners of dogs under 12 months can exercise their dogs safely. Outside of Puppy Park, the remainder of Sam Johnson Reserve is an off lead space for older dogs under effective control. It is important to ensure Puppy Park is utilised for its designed purpose, due to the important role that appropriate socialisation plays in developing happy, health and confident pet members of our community. Keep your puppy’s play sessions at Puppy Park short and well supervised to ensure your puppy is enjoying and actively participating in their play. Socialisation is so much more than just play with other dogs, but Puppy Park provides a great opportunity to play with puppies of similar ages and temperaments.

‘Doggie Land’

Albert Greenshields Reserve, Ridleyton

Our newest dog park has been designed to offer two separate areas one for active, and one for passive dogs. The two areas allow dog owners to determine the most suitable location for their dogs’ temperament and play style, while still providing the socialisation and exercise needed for their pet.

Doggie Land hosts wonderful signage regarding body language and how to tell if your dog loves the park. It features play equipment including tunnels and hoops, seating, dog wash and a community notice board.

Appropriate and polite dog play includes lots of short breaks for sniffs, drinks or laying down so dogs don’t become overly boisterous or hyper-stimulated. Ensure your dog gets a chance to relax in good company too!

If you’re not sure whether your dog is enjoying himself here, or you’re worried about the behaviour of another dog, take your dog out of the dog park to give him a break. Not all dogs are social butterflies, some prefer the company of a few good friends instead.

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Ensure your dog gives other dogs a chance to enter the park safely and calmly. Watch all interactions regarding your dog.

Move your dog out of the park if they are being pushy. If you know your dog has a tendency to become pushy in play, interrupt interactions frequently by putting them on lead and taking them for a calming walk outside of the park.

All dogs and owners have a right to enjoy the park feeling safe and comfortable. Sometimes dogs need your help to learn how to play appropriately.

Is Your Dog A NERVOUS NELLY?

Fearful dogs need more space and more time to acclimatise. You may find that the dog park isn’t the best place to help build your dog’s confidence as other dogs can be uncontrollable or unpredictable.

Better to take confidence building patiently and calmly – you’ll find the more positive experiences your dog has the more confidence they will gain.

Continuously putting them in situations they can’t cope with will only exacerbate their fear (no – they don’t need to just ‘toughen up’ – behaviour, development and dog play is complex and dynamic – it’s not that simple).

FREE COMMUNITY DOGGY EVENTS

Charles Sturt is committed to providing our dog owners with up to date and valuable information on responsible dog ownership, dog behaviour, body language and training. To that end, we provide two free community dog events per year.

Doggy Day On The Green

Held at Point Malcolm Reserve in Semaphore Park, with a focus on promoting force free training, as recommended by the RSPCA SA. Doggy Day on the Green includes workshops and information sessions on body language, kids and dogs, training tips and tricks, and dealing with common problem behaviours like pulling on lead, not coming when called and polite greetings. This is a valuable event to touch base and discuss your dog’s behaviour with local, qualified force free trainers or for a quick reminder on some training basics.

Doggy Day At The Beach

Held at Henley Square, Henley Beach at the beginning of daylight savings time each year. Doggy Day on the Beach focuses on promoting responsible dog ownership and serves as a reminder of the foreshore dog on leash laws, and effective control during the summer season. This event includes fun games to participate in with your dog, a walk along the beach and an opportunity to meet and chat with our Community Safety Officers.

Behaviour or Communication Seminars

Charles Sturt offers free community education seminars presented by qualified dog trainers on what you need to know before you get your dog, and body language and communication. Keep an eye on our social media platforms (https://www. facebook.com/petsofcharlessturt/) so you don’t miss out on these free,informative events!

Beach Pop Up Education Stalls

During the daylight savings period, our Beach Education and Community Safety Officers run beach education pop up stalls at different locations along our foreshore. Each stall focuses on providing dog owners with different aspects of responsible dog ownership, such as effective control, body language, and kids and dogs. Don’t miss out on the next one by keeping in touch with us via social media.

BARKING

Barking is normal, healthy dog behaviour which can occur for a variety of reasons including excitement and play. However it can also stem from fear, stress, anxiety, aggression or illness. While we appreciate that barking is normal, excessive barking can disrupt the household or neighbours.

If You Own A Barking Dog:

Reducing barking often requires some management- or training- based lifestyle changes. Check out our barking booklet ‘What’s the Barking Deal’ for more information: http://mcp.charlessturt.sa.gov. au/emags/AMK/barking/index.html

We do not recommend the use of specific equipment designed to ‘stop’ or punish the barking behaviour, as per the recommendations of the RSPCA SA (http:// www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/lead-byexample/). These devices do not address the underlying cause of the barking (ie. excitement, stress, anxiety, boredom, alert barking), and may exacerbate any anxiety the dog has, or result in other undesirable behaviours. Electric shock collars are illegal to use in South Australia under the Animal Welfare Act (1985).

Owners of barking dogs are encouraged to discuss the issue with a qualified force free trainer (http://www.rspcasa.org.au/ the-issues/lead-by-example/) and adopt a behavioural and management protocol that addresses the underlying cause of the barking to ensure your dog remains a happy and healthy member of your family and our community.

If You Have A Barking Dog Complaint:

1. Contact the dog owner

In most cases, the dog owner is unaware their dog is barking and the solution may simply be a visit to your neighbour to inform them of the situation. A face to face visit is usually most effective, however if you prefer you can simply leave a note in your neighbour’s letterbox making them aware of the situation.

A letter template is available on our website: http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/dogs

2. Mediation services

A free service to work with all parties involved towards an amicable resolution. Southern Community Justice Centre can be contacted on 8350 0376 or visit their website: https://www.scjc.com.au/ cudispute.htm

3. Involving the City of Charles Sturt

Contact us on 8408 1111 to discuss your concerns. Our involvement generally follows two main steps:

• Initial contact to let the dog owner know their dog is barking to provide some support and guidance in some strategies that may help reduce the barking.

• A more thorough investigation may occur where the initial support and assistance fails to reduce the barking. This involves more in depth barking dog diaries filed in by the complainant for a set period.

Dog Attacks Or Harassments

Dog attacks and harassments are an offence under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, and the Council takes such things very seriously.

Harassments are defined by the Dog and Cat Management Board as ‘a dog that troubles or annoys a person without being the primary cause of physical injury - like chasing but not biting’.

Please report all dog attacks as soon as it’s possible and safe to do so, by calling us on 8408 1111. If your dog harasses or attacks another person or animal, severe consequences may result.

Dog Attack And Bite Avoidance

Dog attacks can be devastating to both the victim and the dog owner. Through responsible dog ownership and constant supervision we can all work towards reducing dog attacks.

You can avoid dog attacks by:

• Always supervising young children and babies near dogs (regardless of how much you trust your dog or child)

• Choosing a breed that is suited to your lifestyle and environment

• Ensuring your dog has the opportunity to socialise safely with other dogs and children, and is adequately trained

• Keeping children away from a sick or convalescing dog to let it recover without interruption

• Teaching children to interact with dogs appropriately and respectfully by modelling the desired behaviour

• Removing your dog from excitable environments – especially children’s parties where it may become over excited or overwhelmed

• Ensuring your property is secure and checked regularly

What Should I Do If A Strange Dog Approaches Me?

If a strange dog approaches you - stand very still, look away, and keep calm and quiet. Running and screaming may encourage the dog to chase you. If you can’t see the owner, please call us as soon as you are able on 8408 1111 to report the dog wandering at large.

Dog attacks also occur between dogs.

This can happen during play if it escalates quickly or dogs are playing inappropriately, and in cases were dogs are unsecured on properties or wandering at large.

See ‘Play and Socialisation’ for more information on teaching dogs to play appropriately.

You can help avoid dog-dog attacks in general by ensuring:

• You adhere to the leash laws for public spaces

• Your yard is secure and that your dog is unable to escape

• Your dog is on lead in safe, appropriately fitted equipment at all times when in public spaces (and that it is under effective control whenever off lead)

• Your dog does not approach another dog if it is on lead (even in an off-lead zone)

Please understand that just because your dog may be friendly, other dogs may not be so confident and all dogs deserve to be able to go for walks feeling safe. Alternately, your shy, fearful or reactive dog would prefer walks that don’t involve the presence of other dogs.

What Happens When We Pick Up A Dog Wandering At Large?

When a Community Safety Officer picks up a dog found wandering at large, every effort is made to find and contact the owner of that dog quickly and return the dog home. This becomes very difficult if the dog has no ID tag or registration disc, is not microchipped, the microchip details are not up-to-date, or if the dog is not registered.

If you find a dog wandering at large (without its owner):

• Phone 8408 1111 to let us know a dog is wandering at large and the location.

• Please contain it in a front yard if the dog is safe to approach and you feel comfortable doing so

A Community Safety Officer will respond as soon as possible.

If your dog has been picked up: If your dog is found wandering at large, and we are unable to get in touch with you, we need to impound your dog with the Animal Welfare League (AWL). The following is the process required to collect your impounded dog.

1. Prove that the dog is yours. In the absence of an up-to-date microchip or dog registration disc that confirms the dog is yours, you will need to attend the AWL to firmly establish the dog belongs to you.

2. Attend the Civic Centre (72 Woodville Road, Woodville SA 5011).

You need to present to the Civic Centre with current ID (drivers licence) to verify your identity and address, and to pay the processing fees. Please note that your dog cannot be released unless it is registered. If this needs to be done, there will be an additional registration fee to pay and registration form to complete. Once the fees have been paid, you will be given a release form.

3. Return to the AWL.

Return to the AWL with the release form to collect your dog.

Animal Welfare League:

Address: 19 Cormack Road, Wingfield

Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm daily, including public holidays for dog collections

The AWL acts as a care facility only and has no involvement in the pick up or impounding of your dog. All enquiries regarding the impounding of your dog need to be directed to the Council.

How do I claim my dog on Weekends and Public Holidays?

Contact us on 8408 1111 and leave your name and contact details with the afterhours call centre operator. An Officer will contact you to arrange collection. You will still be required to provide identification and address, and pay the outstanding fees before your dog is released. Your dog must be registered before it is released.

COST AND BENEFIT OF PET OWNERSHIP

In 2016, approximately 38.5 per cent of Australian households owned a dog, and 29 per cent owned a cat. Having a pet as part of the family is extremely rewarding, and can also help teach children about responsibility, routine and empathy. Pets have a wonderful way of reminding us to enjoy the here and now, and are great friends and confidants.

Read more about Australian pet ownership in the Animal Medicines Australia Pet Ownership 2016 report: http://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/ wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AMA_PetOwnership-in-Australia-2016-Report_sml.pdf

Thinking About Getting Another Dog?

Why?

Investing in a second dog can be a wonderful addition to the family for you and your existing dog, but take a moment to think about the pros and cons carefully.

Many people consider getting a second pet because their first dog is misbehaving (barking, digging or destructive behaviour). Investing in a second dog because you think it will be good company for your first dog is not a good enough reason – your pet does not need a pet.

If your older dog is misbehaving, be prepared for your younger dog to learn the exact same behaviours from them – instead of making things easier, you can get double the trouble! Older, well-behaved dogs can teach younger dogs good behaviour, but young untrained dogs can also teach older dogs to make poor choices.

If you invest in another pet, do it for you and your family. If you’re worried about your dog’s loneliness or boredom, they will likely appreciate greater quality attention from you (extra walks before or after work, more training, car rides, etc.) more than having a second dog in the home.

If you do invest in another dog for your family, both dogs will still need quality one-on-one time with you for training and walking, and to build trusting relationships with you. Always supervise the first few interactions between new dogs, to make sure they will get on well for any length of time while you’re not there.

The following is a basic list of fundamental needs to consider when thinking about a new pet addition to your family:

• Good quality food: chat to a veterinarian about recommendations.

• Registration: annual registration fees apply for dogs.

• Veterinary Costs: annual vaccinations and checkups, worming, fleas, desexing, and other unexpected health care.

• Suitable property: this is important when considering a new pet. Just because you have a large backyard, doesn’t mean a dog is self exercising. High, physical (metal or wooden or other type) fences are more effective in keeping dogs inside the yard and uninvited people out, than other fencing types, like invisible (electric shock) or low fencing.

• Mental stimulation: tug games or play, and food-dispensing toys, and daily exercise are all important aspects of a dog’s life and upbringing. Be prepared to invest your time and money into your dog’s mental wellbeing.

• Socialisation and training: careful socialisation is most effective for puppies, but your investment into teaching your dog to be sociable and confident in the community is lifelong. Behaviour changes over time; if your dog doesn’t continue to use their social skills in appropriate play and interactions with other people and dogs as they grow, they’ll lose them.

Other considerations for a new pet include:

• What breed? Dogs were bred for purposes. The breed you choose may influence whether your dog digs, chases, barks, herds, retrieves or guards. Be prepared, patient and understanding of the behaviours you can expect to see based on the breed you choose.

• Large or small breed? (And their associated health or behaviour tendencies)

• Long hair or short hair? Will you need to find a good groomer and account for the associated costs? Or learn to do it yourself?

• How much are you home to spend time with them? Animals are social and need interaction with you as well as others of their own species

• Who will look after them when you go away? Is that person reliable?

Find out more information at: http://www.gooddogsa.com/select-a-dog

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE: Development

Dogs go through stages of social, sexual, physical and mental development that can influence their behaviour, just like us. See below for what to expect at different ages!

Critical Socialisation period (3 to 12-14 weeks)

Puppies take new experiences and interactions in their stride as long as they feel comfortable and safe. Socialisation (observations or controlled interactions, and not necessarily only play) with new and unfamiliar places, people, animals and things is essential. Puppies have the attention span of a toddler on redbull, but also sleep a lot and can get tired and overwhelmed easily. Keep all socialisation sessions short, simple and easy for your puppy to cope with. Avoid environments that feature uncontrolled play or unpredictable dogs. Bad experiences during this time can be detrimental long term. Check out the puppy schools run by qualified trainers on the Force Free trainer’s list: http://www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/ lead-by-example/

Critical Fear Periods (8 weeks, and, anecdotally, approximately 6-8 months and around 1 year)

Dogs may go through short periods where they have fearful reactions to new or unexpected things (like a garbage bin on the footpath or a bottle on the table that they’ve seen before but weren’t expecting to see today). Take it slowly and be supportive

of them. Give them space if it’s safe to do so. They’ll gain confidence again once the fear period is over if you let them take it at their own pace.

Teething (4 months)

This is where their adult teeth eruptmouthing, biting and destructive chewing at its worst! Be prepared. Their gums are sore and they’re trying to alleviate the ache. You can redirect it by encouraging supervised chewing on appropriate items like food dispensing toys or chews.

House Training (up to 6 months)

Some puppies don’t have full bladder control until 6 months of age. Reinforce toileting in the right spot with a food treat. Be patient and consistent.

Adolescence (approximately 6 months to 2.5-3 years)

Just when you thought it was over. Dogs need and want more independence, more attention, more exercise and more mental or physical enrichment. They can find focus and ignoring distractions difficult! Keep training, and stay patient and consistent. The more training and behaviour you have under your belt before adolescence hits, the easier it can be. Extra short walks every day can be useful, as well as contacting a qualified force free trainer to help prevent any problems before they arise. Check out ‘What’s the barking deal?’ for exercise and enrichment ideas: http://mcp.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/emags/ AMK/barking/index.html

Perception

Understanding how dogs view and perceive their environment provides useful insight into how dogs might behave in those environments.

Dogs navigate their world through their noses. Hearing, touch and sight also feature predominantly, but are still overshadowed by their sense of smell. A dog’s sense of taste pales in comparison to the rest.

To find out more about how your dog navigates their environment, check out ‘How dogs see with their noses’: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=p7fXa2Occ_U

How Do Dogs Communicate?

A dog’s primary form of communication is visual – body language. Every single movement - paw lift, tail dip, ear flick, lip lick, yawn, head turn or weight shift - is a conscious form of communication on your dog’s behalf and not only lets us and other dogs know how they’re feeling, but is also specifically for the purpose of avoiding confrontation.

Watch your dog closely all the time - the more you observe, the better you get. Signs of stress or fear are often very quick –practice or you might miss them!

If a dog wants more interaction, they show comfortable, relaxed and happy body language. These signs can include: moving toward you, relaxed faces, wriggly bodies, tails that wag mid-height, and soft eyes.

‘Distance increasing’ body language is designed to let you or other dogs know they

need more space. You can either move the dog away from the situation, or take the ‘scary’/ overwhelming thing away from the dog. The most obvious distance increasing signs are: growling, lunging, snapping, biting, or physically trying to get away, cowering and hiding. The less obvious signs that communicate the need for space are much more important to notice - prevention is always better than a cure! If you fail to notice the subtle early warning signs, your dog may escalate to more obvious and potentially aggressive behaviour to ‘protect’ themselves. Give your dog space (or extra time to decide to approach) as soon as you notice any subtle signs.

Subtle signs include:

• Ears back

• Yawning (when not tired)

• Head turn away

• Lip licking (except after eating/drinking)

• Lowering the head

• Whale eye (where you can see the whites of the eyes)

• Shake off (as if they were wet)

• Weight shifting toward back legs

• Panting (when it’s not hot, or they haven’t been exercising excessively)

• Tension around the face or stiff body movements

• Tail tucked under belly (or low in comparison to normal) or Tail high and stiff

You can practice identifying different types of body language at our very own Body Language Quiz: http://www.charlessturt. sa.gov.au/DogSpeakQuiz

More examples of dog body language can be found at: https://www.doggiedrawings.net/ and http://www.dogdecoder.com/

Behaviour - Why Do Dogs Do What They Do?

Dogs do what’s good for dogs.

We know that dogs (like us and all other living organisms) work to maximise the good things in their lives and minimise the bad. If a dog receives good consequences for performing a behaviour, they’ll repeat it.

The way dogs behave is impacted on by their genetics (what were they bred for?), the current environment, and their previous experience and learning.

Is There Such Thing As A Bad Dog?

Behaviours that we label as ‘bad’ (such as barking, digging, chewing, chasing) are generally normal and healthy dog behaviours. These are behaviours that we’ve selectively bred into specific breeds for hundreds of years. In fact, dogs that perform these behaviours are likely being ‘good’ dogs, but are just ‘bad’ humans.

Dogs don’t know our house rules or expectations, they don’t speak our language, and they can’t read our minds – be patient and consistent when teaching them how to behave in different circumstances.

What’s The Deal With Dominance?

The concept of dominance refers to an idea where we must be the ‘pack leader’ to ensure our dogs ‘know’ their place in our homes. However, the domesticated dog is no longer considered a pack animal that requires or seeks that hierarchical lifestyle.

Dogs are opportunistic creatures by nature and in any given situation they behave depending on what’s in it for them. In most cases, behaviours that we used to think were caused by an innate drive for dominance, are in fact explained in a much simpler manner –

• Dogs rush through doorways first because they’re excited to see what’s on the other side

• Dogs sleep on the couch or your bed, because it’s more comfortable than the floor, and it smells like you which can be comforting

• Dogs jump up on us because they’re excited, and in the dog world, it’s polite to greet nose-to-nose (and then noseto-butt!).

Neither do you need to eat first, win tug of war games, exit or enter first to prove that you’re more dominant than your dog. However, you might prefer to ensure those activities are safe by asking your dog to sit and stay before you open the door, or before you put their bowl down, or to greet them only when they have four paws on the floor.

Feeding your dog at the same time you eat might also provide some relief from begging during dinnertime. It is always best to be consistent in your application of house rules and be patient while your dog learns them. Remember – progress not perfection!

For more information on dominance, check out the Australian Veterinary Association’s ‘Debunking Dominance’: http://www.ava. com.au/public/about-pets/polite-petsmonth/resources/debunking-dominancedogs

Play And Socialisation

Play and socialisation are critical aspects of your dog’s mental and physical welfare. Like us, as dogs age they tend to evolve from having a large friend group, to enjoying the company of a few. Likewise, play styles may change from wrestling or chasing to companionship –enjoying good company while exploring new places or watching the world.

Meeting new dogs and people should still hold priority as dogs grow up, but those meetings don’t necessarily have to involve play, unless your dog is really enjoying himself. Short meet and greets are great opportunities for ongoing, safe socialisation. Your dog doesn’t have to be a social butterfly to be safe and happy – having several really good friends and being calm and confident around all other dogs is just as effective in ensuring a great quality of life. Also, young dogs go through different developmental periods and their behaviour may change day to day. Be patient, responsive and proactive with all new dog meetings.

To encourage appropriate play, please:

• Be aware of how dogs communicate (see ‘How do Dogs Communicate?’), interpret their body language, and respond appropriately

• Watch your dog closely throughout any interaction with another dog and step in if either of the dogs isn’t enjoying themselves

• Err on the side of caution – if you’re unsure about whether play is

appropriate, call your dog away and move on

• Ensure play is interrupted frequently and both dogs have a chance to calm down before playing again

• Avoid play with sick, injured or elderly dogs, female dogs in heat or shy/ fearful or reactive dogs

• Avoid allowing play to become overly obsessive or intense

• Seek additional support from a qualified, force-free trainer (http://www.rspcasa. org.au/the-issues/lead-by-example/)

if you’re unsure whether your dog’s behaviour is appropriate or whether they’re enjoying play

Contrary to what some may think, dog attacks are not normal. Dogs don’t need to ‘get over it’, and they won’t simply ‘grow out of’ fear or aggression. Behaviour and experience are incredibly complex and allowing dogs to ‘work it out’ themselves is not effective in creating the confident, calm and sociable dogs our society needs. In fact, it likely has the opposite effect as your dog learns that interactions with other dogs cause pain or fear. Best to seek assistance from a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviour consultant if you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour, and avoid interactions with other dogs until they provide further advice.

Training

Dogs learn the same way we do. The likelihood they will choose to perform behaviour in the future is directly related to what happened last time they performed the behaviour. And if it was a good outcome, it will be repeated.

As such, it’s important to ensure you reinforce behaviour that you want to see more of. Any time you can reinforce relaxation, calm, polite greetings, polite walking or coming when called, is time well spent. Reinforcers don’t always have to be food treats - playing tug, fetch, getting freedom off lead or pats might also be good reinforcers for behaviour depending on the circumstance. Food simply tends to be the most common, because it can be taken out of the dog’s daily food (instead of getting it for free in a bowl), and most dogs really love their food.

Charles Sturt promotes force free (positive reinforcement) training methods, as recommended by the RSPCA SA. The RSPCA SA’s Lead By Example campaign includes useful information on dog equipment, qualified trainers in SA, and why force free training methods are considered the most humane and effective: http://www.rspcasa.org.au/theissues/lead-by-example/

We also support our local positive reinforcement community dog training centre: Woodville Community Dog Training Centre on Oval Avenue, Woodville (Ph. 8268 5046).

Puppy Classes

Puppy classes are strictly for puppies under 16 weeks of age (before completing all their vaccinations) and provide an informative and engaging space for new pet owners to learn about dog training, socialisation and behaviour. Puppy classes help puppies grow into the sociable, calm and confident dogs we all want in our society. Attending a good puppy preschool is a must!

Good puppy pre-schools will focus on supervised and controlled play with other suitable puppies, interactions with different people, surfaces and sounds, as well as provide you with information on how to cope with house training, teething, chewing, jumping up, handling and getting your puppy to come back when called. They should also have a maximum number of puppies in attendance, usually six.

The RSPCA SA’s Lead By Example Campaign (http://www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/ lead-by-example/) provides information on qualified trainers that run puppy pre schools in your area – usually via a veterinary clinic. Call around, and book into one as soon as you can.

Pet Manners Classes

Without patience and guidance, our dogs will revert to doing what they do best –normal doggy behaviours, like digging, barking, chewing, chasing or escaping. In order to have the well socialised, confident and calm dogs we all want, we need to invest our time and resources into teaching them how to behave appropriately.

Dogs can be taught basic pet manners as soon as you get them – the earlier the better. Training for puppies and adolescent dogs should also continue to focus on socialisation with new and unfamiliar people, places and things. The more new people and animals your dog meets (not necessarily plays with), the calmer they will be around new dogs and people in the future.

Attending training classes will provide you with lifelong skills that will help you develop a long, happy and mutually enriching relationship with your dog. Training classes also ensure you spend 1 hour per week 100% focussed on your dog, which is so important in our busy lives, and also provides you with access to a trainer each week that you can discuss any problems or concerns with if they arise.

Training shouldn’t be about obtaining perfect scores in an obedience ring, but instead, focus on what you need and expect from your dog in your home. If the majority of dogs could come when called (and get more off leash freedom), walk nicely on leash (and get more walks),

leave things when you ask them (and not get into trouble), and not jump on guests (and be more involved no matter who is around), the most common problem behaviours might be prevented before they exist. Basic manners training classes should be reward-based, and incorporate these important foundation behaviours early on. Classes should be fun and informative, with limited class sizes.

Exercise and Enrichment

Exercise and enrichment are integral components of your dog’s mental and physical welfare. Many problem behaviours can be avoided by keeping your dog active, and mentally stimulated. Bored or unemployed dogs tend to default into what they know best - normal dog-centric behaviours like barking, digging or chewing.

The exercise you give your dog should aim to meet their mental and physical needs and abilities, instead of simply aiming to exhaust them. Puppies, large breeds, short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, or dogs that are overweight, ill or elderly have different (but no less important) exercise requirements than healthy, adolescent and fit dogs. Consult your veterinarian before taking these dogs for runs on or off lead, or long walks to ensure that exercise will be beneficial. Not all exercise is the same. What does your dog prefer? Can changing the type of exercise help with your dog’s behaviour?

Equally, providing your dog with mental enrichment while you’re busy at home, or when you’re away at work, can be invaluable in keeping your dog out of trouble while unsupervised. Dogs are contra-freeloading; they prefer to work for their food than get it for free. You can use this to your advantage by providing (portions of) their daily meals in food dispensing toys that encourage them to problem solve and interact with their toy continually to get the food out. This will not only keep them focused and actively engaged in appropriate play, but can also tire them out enough to sleep afterwards. The more you can

provide your dog with appropriate activities during the day, the less time they will have to make ‘bad’ choices. Please ensure that you supervise the first few times you provide any new toys to your dog – some dogs need to learn how to interact with new toys safely, while others in multi-dog households may not share food/ toys appropriately.

Learn more about exercise and enrichment in our Barking Booklet, ‘What’s the barking deal?’.

Weathering The Weather

Be very aware of the weather before you take your dog for walks.

Dogs regulate heat differently to us. Walking when it’s too cold or too hot (even over 27°C for some dogs) can cause unnecessary stress on the body. In hot weather, if you are unable leave the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, your dog is equally unable to walk on their unprotected paws. Burn risks to their paw pads are very real.

Large, braccycephalic or short-coated breeds feel the heat especially, while some working dogs will run until they drop, literally. Heat stress and heat stroke are serious risks for dogs and you will need to step in to prevent injury, even if your dog looks like it’s having the time of their life. Slow, ambling, sniffy walks (or early morning play) will be most beneficial on hot days. In severe hot weather, only walk your dog in the mornings, where the pavement has had a chance to cool overnight. In many cases, mental enrichment can replace exercise on days where walks are just not viable.

Similarly, some dogs love walks in the rain, and others hate the cold. Short coated dogs may appreciate jackets in winter, but consult your veterinarian before letting your dog run in a jacket which may restrict their movement and/ or increase the risk of them overheating.

Equipment

Choosing the right equipment for your dog can be tough. We encourage pet owners to use equipment with their dog’s health and welfare in mind, and that is endorsed by the RSCPA SA: http://www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/leadby-example/. Please know that electric shock collars are illegal to use in South Australia under the Animal Welfare Act (1985), and prong (pinch) collars are illegal to import into Australia under Australian customs legislation.

Kids And Dogs

Growing up with a dog can be a wonderful life experience, and watching kids and dogs play together is heart-warming. However, it’s important to take extra steps to ensure both your child and dog remain safe. It’s important to supervise your dog and child carefully. When supervising, ensure you know the signs of stress or fear in your dog to prevent misunderstandings from occurring. Supervision in itself is not enough, unless you also know what you’re looking for and how to react appropriately. If you’re unsure, contact a qualified Force Free trainer to discuss the dynamics of child and dog interactions with the whole family.

Teach your dog and child to share their environment safely and appropriately by:

• Teaching your dog appropriate, calm behaviours around children.

• Teaching your child appropriate ways to interact safely with the dog.

• Allowing your dog peace and quiet in another room or regular breaks from play.

• Ensuring your child knows to leave your dog alone if he takes himself away from play.

• Keeping kids and dogs separate during ‘mad’ moments (or other highly exciting situations).

• Helping your child to learn to recognise the signs of stress in your dog and teach them how to respond appropriately (ie. provide more space, and/or calm down).

• Ensuring your child doesn’t climb over, bounce on, poke or pull the dog in any way.

Other important rules:

• Never tease a dog, pull its tail or ears

• Never let a child discipline a dog (in fact, if you feel your dog needs to learn better manners, best to contact a qualified force free trainer. See ‘Training’ for more information).

• If you’re being chased by a dog stop and stand perfectly still (stop your bike or skateboard if using one).

• Ensure your dog can’t escape from its yard.

• For more information on kids and dogs, check out our website: http://www. charlessturt.sa.gov.au/dogs

If approaching a dog, teach your child to:

• Ask permission of the owner before approaching a new dog

• Ask permission of the dog by stopping a few metres away and inviting the dog to approach instead - if the dog wants the interaction they will come to you

• If the dog approaches, the best spots to pat them gently are under the chin or on the chest (dogs dislike being patted on top of the head).

• Never approach a dog (including the family dog) while it is tied up, eating, sleeping, playing by themselves with a toy, in a car or a dog with puppies.

PET SERVICES

There is so much information available about dogs and cats, that sometimes it can be hard to know where to start looking if you have a question, or whether to trust the information you do receive.

Who you gonna call?

Here are some categories in general that may help you decide who to contact for more information in any particular situation:

City of Charles Sturt: Ask questions about dog and cat management, on or off lead areas, registration, concerns regarding animals in your neighbourhood, to make a complaint or report a dog attack or harassment. Community Safety Officers regulate the Dog and Cat Management Act (1995).

Vets and Vet Nurses: the health professionals of the animal world. Ask questions about diet, exercise, nail trimming and grooming, enrichment ideas, health checks, annual checkups, any physical injury or any health related concerns. Many vets or vet nurses also have additional experience and qualifications in training and behaviour.

Dog Trainers: have been likened to dog psychologists. Contact a qualified Force Free trainer to ask questions about training, problem behaviours, normal or natural dog behaviour, or enrichment ideas. The RSCPA SA has information regarding choosing a dog trainer and a list of qualified, Force Free dog trainers on their website: http://www.rspcasa. org.au/the-issues/lead-by-example/)

Behavioural Vets: have been likened to animal psychiatrists. These are experienced veterinarians with additional extensive training in behaviour and in medication that impacts on behaviour most effectively where required. For example, severe anxieties or aggression where a dog’s quality of life may be impacted or where they post a risk of injury

to themselves or others, need referral to a Veterinary Behaviour Consultant.

RSPCA SA: The welfare branch for South Australian animals. The RSCPA SA regulates the Animal Welfare Act (1985) and promotes educational campaigns that impact on animal welfare. You can contact them for welfare concerns for any animal in South Australia.

Please know that many other services provided by the pet industry remain unregulated by the Australian government. This means that, while there are wonderful, qualified, experienced and professional trainers, groomers, doggy day care providers, dog walkers, pet sitters, etc. out there, it is worth asking questions and discussing concerns you may have of anyone you’re interested in hiring to ensure they know what they’re doing. In each of these industries, there are professional organisations and recommended codes of ethics and conduct that professionals should adhere to. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Pets Of Charles Sturt

https://www.facebook.com/ petsofcharlessturt/ @petsofcharlessturt

Make sure you like our facebook page to keep up to date with all pet related goings-on in the Charles Sturt area. You’ll find out about our free events, pop up education stalls, dog behaviour or communication seminars, info on your pet and the law, reminders about registration, and other useful dog behaviour and training tidbits. Don’t miss out on being a part of our wonderful, caring and supportive pet community.

You can also email any animal management related questions to dogs@charlessturt.sa.gov. au, or call us on 8408 1111.

Vets Of Charles Sturt

Having your dog desexed, microchipped and checked by the vet annually (including vaccinations) are basic, easy ways to ensure your pet is happy and healthy. Here is a list of the veterinary clinics within the City of Charles Sturt area:

Croydon

Port Road West Croydon Veterinary Clinic 499 Port Road, West Croydon, Ph. 8340 0388

Findon

Fulham Gardens Veterinary Surgery 221 Grange Road, Findon, Ph. 8347 3444

Fulham Gardens

Fulham Gardens Veterinary Surgery 475 Tapleys Hill Road, Fulham Gardens, Ph. 8355 5475

Grange

Grange Veterinary Surgery 625 Grange Road, Grange, Ph. 8356 0511

Henley Beach

Henley Beach Veterinary Clinic 206 Military Road, Henley Beach, Ph. 8356 2557 or 8356 9387

West Lakes

The Pet Doctor Unit 1, 153 Brebner Drive, West Lakes, Ph. 8353 3600

Woodville

The Pet Doctor 5 Woodville Road, Woodville South, Ph. 8268 6777

cats

Be Responsible and Make a Difference!

Cats have so much to offer – they provide companionship, affection and entertainment, whilst being economical, clean and easy to maintain. However, the decision to own a cat is a very important one. Selecting the right cat needs plenty of thought, and lack of planning contributes to surrendering and abandonment.

Be A Responsible Cat

Owner:

• Identify your cat with a collar and ID tag. This ensures others know your cat is owned if it roams outside and prevents it from being collected by the City of Charles Sturt as an un-owned cat.

• Microchip your cat before 3 months (12 weeks) of age (a legal requirement under the new dog and cat reforms, effective 1 July 2018).

• Desex your cat before 6 months of age (a legal requirement for cats born after 1 July 2018 under the new dog and cat reforms, effective 1 July 2018). Desexed cats are less likely to fight, roam across busy roads, or demonstrate antisocial behaviours.

• Vaccinate and worm your cat to protect them from potential life threatening diseases – consult your veterinarian for more information.

• Ensure your cat receives regular health checks from their veterinarian.

• Interact with your cat daily – cats are social and need attention and affection.

• Understand their body language –check out some examples from www. doggiedrawings.net or https://www. rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/ behaviour/understanding

• Provide toys and enrichment opportunities just like with dogs. Keeping cats busy inside during the day is integral to their mental health and wellbeing and will help reduce problem behaviours.

• Provide clean and sufficient toilet spaces. Cats are very clean and it is important to make sure your cat’s kitty litter tray is cleaned daily.

• Confine your cat at night. The vast majority of roaming, car accidents and fights occur overnight and cats that are kept inside live at least three years longer than cats that are allowed out.

Benefits Of Having An

‘Inside’ Cat

• Reduced instances of roaming, fighting, aggression or inappropriate urination

• Reduced risk to health associated with outdoor cats including abscesses from cat fights, feline flu, leukaemia or feline AIDS.

• Reduced risk of fights with other cats or car accidents. A study tracking 428 South Australian cats found the home ranges of outdoor cats ranged from 0 07 to 31 13 hectares, and 88 per cent of cats having larger home ranges at night including crossing multiple busy roads (to find out more visit: https://www.discoverycircle.org. au/projects/cat-tracker/results/)

• Reduced risk to South Australia’s native wildlife

• Longer life span on average

• Peace of mind knowing your cat is safe and comfortable

Ways To Keep Your Inside Cat Happy And Healthy

• Have enough litter trays and clean them every day. Many cats don’t feel comfortable sharing. It’s a good idea to have one tray per cat plus one around the house (a household with 2 cats will have 3 trays). While this may seem like overkill, often lots of cases of interhousehold cat aggression and inappropriate toileting can stem from dirty litter trays, or trays that are placed in poorly chosen areas – thoroughfares, narrow places where they have to walk past the other cat to access. Avoid potential issues by giving cats many choices if they need to use the toilet.

• Have multiple spaces away from other animals or family members – again one for each cat plus one. These spaces will be most beneficial if they are up high and/or against a wall, hidden away or against some form of secure backdrop. They’ll love it more if they can relax and look outside.

• Load up on toys. Different cats will prefer different toys, but it’s worth having a selection. Include boxes, toys they can bat, chew and chase by themselves or with others. Toys that are interactive (ie. Attached to a string you can pull) are wonderful. Rotate the toys regularly so there are constantly ‘new’ ones available.

• Have different types of scratching posts –vertical and horizontal.

• Play hide and seek with toys and treats around the house. Food dispensing enrichment toys aren’t just for dogs. Experiment with different options for cats

and encourage them to interact with their environment to ‘hunt’ for toys or food inside.

• Open a window that has a screen on it – new smells and sounds can be very enriching.

• Supervise outdoor visits – get your cat used to wearing a harness and having a lead on inside the house. And take them for short 1-3 minute walks around the front yard. Keep them safe and away from dogs.

• Cat enclosures – invest in a secure, outdoor enclosure that your cat can safely spend time outside in, and can access anytime through a cat door. Being able to choose whether to go inside or outside is a wonderful enrichment option for cats.

More information on enrichment tips for cats or other cat behaviour information can be found at: https://www. companionanimalpsychology.com/2016/04/ enrichment-tips-for-cats-that-many.html

Lost Cats

It is a distressing time when you realise your much loved feline has not returned home or is not where he or she should be.

Please contact us on 8408 1111. We can tell you if a cat matching the same description has been reported to us.

Found Cats

If you find a cat which is unidentifiable, but looks healthy and is not causing a problem, please leave it alone as it is likely to be someone’s pet. If you’re not sure, please phone us on 8408 1111.

If you are concerned, or if the cat is causing damage, then you may choose to hire a cat cage. No fee is charged, however a $20 deposit (refundable upon return) applies. Cat cages are available from the Kilkenny Grain and Fodder at 106A David Tce, Kilkenny. The cat may then be taken to the Animal Welfare League.

Limit Of Cats Per Household

The City of Charles Sturt By-Law number 5 limits the keeping of cats to 2 per household. Cat owners wanting to keep more than two cats are required to apply for a permit, please contact us on 8408 1111.

If you have concerns about insanitary conditions caused by excessive number of cats an Environmental Health Officer may investigate this matter.