Keeping pets and wildlife safe
Pets at Home
Coexistence is key
Celebrating Responsible Pet Ownership
Being a responsible pet owner means looking after your beloved pet and reducing their impact on the world around them.
Responsible pet owners keep their dogs and cats safe and happy, while protecting our native wildlife.
Pet owners should keep cats and dogs contained to reduce injury and death to the critically endangered western ringtail possum. This also protects other wildlife that live and visit our urban neighbourhoods.
Pets who are kept inside or contained live safer, happier and healthier lives.
Pet owners who keep their cats and dogs inside or contained reduce injury and death to the critically endangered western ringtail possum and other native wildlife that live and visit our urban neighbourhoods.
Attacks from dogs and cats threatens the survival of the western ringtail possum. Even the stress of being ‘hunted’ by a dog or cat, or a small scratch can unfortunately lead to death for these vulnerable animals.
The number of lives saved, for both wildlife and pets, will be calculated after the Pets’ Night In event. So remember, the best way you can protect your furry friends and our native wildlife is to keep your dog and cat inside this Pets’ Night In and beyond!
My Pet, My Community
Dogs
Dogs are happiest when they sleep inside with the family pack. Even in your own backyard they face dangers at nighttime.
Dogs get stimulated when they see something move, so having native animals active in your garden at night understandably excites them!
This excitement can become stress and anxiety for your canine friend if they become fixated. Not to mention the impact on your neighbours caused by their excessive barking! They want to protect their pack, and they do this best by staying close.
If you can’t bear the thought of keeping your dog inside at night, consider a crate or kennel set up that will keep both them and wildlife safe.
My Pet, My Community
Cats
Roaming cats can stray up to 4km from your home, and this puts them at significant risk from road accidents, cat fights and disease, not to mention impacting your neighbourly relations!
Pet cats also have a devastating impact on local wildlife. One single cat can kill 100 native animals each year. Doesn’t sound right?
Well on average, cats bring home just 15% of their prey. There are some incredible catio and cat run options available to keep your cat contained on your property, both day and night, to keep it safe and happy.
Our Responsible Pet Ownership program is delivered by GeoCatch through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, in partnership with South West Catchments Council, and endorsed by the City of Busselton, Busselton Vet Hospital, Heritage Vets, GeoVet, Vasse Vets, RSPCA and SAFE.
Keeping pets and wildlife safe
Pets Away, Possums Play
Local evidence shows that the greatest known causes of death to possums and wildlife in the Geographe Bay Catchment are cats, dogs, motor vehicles, and habitat loss.
Possums are most active at night and this is when they are at greatest risk of injury and death caused by hunting and curious pets.
Pets Away, Possums Play urges pet owners to keep wildlife safe while ensuring pets live long, happy and healthy lives.
The campaign aligns with National and State-wide responsible pet ownership objectives aimed at reducing potential environmental impacts of domestic pets.
My Pet, My Community
Pets Away, Possums Play
Bin Stickers
Do you support responsible pet ownership to protect Western Ringtail Possums and other wildlife?
Show your neighbours that you are a responsible pet owner.
Grab a FREE Pets Away, Possums Play or My Cat Can’t Roam, It’s Safe at Home bin sticker!
Enter your details below and collect from the GeoCatch office, 72 Duchess St Busselton.
Keeping Cats Content in Catios
Catio Design Guide
Catio Services – Geographe Bay Catchment
