Caring for your new pet

Being a responsible pet owner means understanding your pet’s needs and being aware of your responsibilities to the community.

The following are some basic rules for pet care:

• Learn about your pet's needs - dietary, health, housing and general care
• 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 and positive reinforcement
• Provide appropriate housing and shelter for your pet
• While unsupervised, keep your pet safely and securely confined to your property at all times
• To minimise boredom, provide your pet with sufficient companionship and a stimulating environment
• Protect your pet's health with regular visits to the vet and ensure all necessary vaccinations and treatments are up-to-date
• Ensure your pet has a clean living environment
• Microchip your pet (where appropriate) and where required register it with your local council
• De-sex your pet at an early age to prevent unwanted pregnancies
• Where appropriate grooming your pet a regular basis
• Many pets need to be socialised with other animals and people, particularly at a young age - give your pet appropriate opportunities for mixing with others
• Teach your family, friends and children how to interact with your pet
• Find suitable boarding facilities for your pet while you’re on holidays
• Respect the rights of non pet owners by keeping your pet under control while in public and by disposing of any droppings made in public areas
• Provide your pet with love and attention and commit to caring for it for life