Pet care tips from the RSPCA

Here are some of the basic rules for taking care of your pet:

• Provide your pet with an adequate balanced diet and ensure it has access to clean, cool drinking water at all times;
• Regularly exercise your pet according to its needs;
• Train your pet using kindness, treats and rewards – not punishment!;
• Provide appropriate housing and shelter for your pet;
• Keep your pet safely and securely confined, or in the case of dogs, on a leash unless in an off-leash area;
• To minimise boredom, provide your pet with lots of companionship and playtime, plus toys to keep it entertained;
• Protect your pet's health by taking it to a vet whenever it is sick or hurt, and make sure routine medical treatments (such as vaccinations and worming) are up-to-date;
• You may need to microchip your pet and register it with your local council so it can be returned to you if it becomes lost;
• Baby animals might be very cute but they can also be a lot of trouble, so desex your pet at an early age to prevent unwanted offspring;
• If your pet requires grooming, do so on a regular basis;
• Most pets need to be socialised with other animals and people, particularly at a young age so give your pet appropriate opportunities for mixing with others;
• Teach your family, friends and children how to interact with your pet;
• Make suitable arrangements for care of your pet while you’re on holidays – or take your pet with you!
• Respect the rights of non pet owners by keeping your pet under control while in public and by disposing of any mess made in public areas;

Remember, your pet depends on you to look after it.

Provide your pet with all the love, attention and care it needs and you’ll have a happier, healthier pet and a friend for life!

The most obedient dog?

Type a trick or request into the command box and watch this exceptionally obedient dog obey.

Interesting animal facts

Click on this site and the animal you are interested in finding more about ...
great dinner party conversation.

Why do people keep pets? Here's a page which answers this question.

I keep my pet cat Hemingway because I think he has an incredible soul and the house would feel empty without him.

My pet budgie is so happy and content and she has her own little personality.

I feel closer to the earth somehow ... there is a quote that goes "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."by Cicero, I'd like to add pet to that quote.

Tails of the City

Here's an exhibition for pet lovers on until 22 March 2009 and something I am definitely going to during the next week.

Tails of the City has photos, film and all kinds of things about pets because Australians are one of the biggest owners of pets in the world.

Practically every house hold has some kind of pet and 1 in 4 house holds have a dog - that's incredible!

Animal rescue

If you have pets or are looking for a pet to add to your home (and bring in some love, warmth and soul)

then have a look at this website and see if you can adopt one of these cats/dogs first. Paws aim is to help lost or abandoned animals in NSW, Australia and wants to help animals find homes rather than to be put down.

There are also options for those of you who want to volunteer or who are willing to look after a pet until a home is found for them.

It's a great site - please support them.

They update the site regularly and if you are looking for a pet, you are pound to find the perfect one for you on this site.

And when you go away for a weekend break or take your holidays ... that's when I come in.

Vets

I spent all of yesterday morning handing out my business cards at vets in my local area.

They really are fantastic places and everyone I met yesterday was so willing to help anyone who loves animals and pet minding.

Over the next few days, I am going to be handing out business cards and meeting pet owners all over the Eastern suburbs of Sydney.

I am also looking at parks and animal friendly places to walk your pets.

And here's a great site for you to have a look at if you feel like adopting an animal at the Sydney Aquarium!

Adopt an animal at Sydney Aquarium

Dog walking

A lot of people work full time.

Which means that a lot of dogs stay home and need walks.

That's where I come in ... let me walk your dog/s once or twice a day while you're at work. I'll take them out to parks or round the blocks so they're rested and content and you don't have to worry when you get home from work.