Animal Care Information

The Keeping Cats Safe at Home Education Program was officially launched at schools across the New South Wales Northern Rivers region this month. Between the 8th and 12th of May, the program educated over 500 students from six different schools in the Byron Shire Council, Tweed Shire Council, and Kyogle Council about keeping their cats safe at home. It was a very busy trip visiting 6 schools and speaking to 508 students in total! The education presentation taught students how to care for cats and the importance of desexing, how to keep cats safe at home, and the impacts cats have on our native wildlife. Through engaging and interactive activities, students learned about cats’ unique behaviours and how to be responsible cat owners. The program was presented by RSPCA NSW senior education officer Stephanie Sok and the Keeping Cats Safe at Home project officer Silvina Tolli, with the collaboration of members of each council: Kyogle Council ranger Eddie Brown and Senior…

Winter can present many challenges for both people and their pets, but staying warm with your furry friends can be much easier than you think. There are only a few key things to remember with your pets and chilly weather, three easy-to-follow rules.  Keep them warm, keep them healthy, keep them safe.  Keep Your Pets Warm  As the temperature drops, your furry friends will need some help with staying warm. While it may look as though your pet has in-built protection from the cold, it’s important to keep them comfortable and protected from the elements.  If it’s cold for you outside, then it’s cold for your pet too. Keep your animals (big or small) warm indoors or in weather-proof shelter. Remember that very young, elderly, and sick animals will be more vulnerable to lower temperatures. As a precaution, keep them indoors to ensure they are sheltered from the cold.  If you are caring for smaller animals, bring them indoors overnight….

Now that winter is settling in, there’s no better time to introduce your cat to the comforts of living a safe-at-home lifestyle. As cats are naturally drawn to warm places to take shelter from the cold, inviting your cat inside during the cooler months can be a great opportunity to learn how to live safely and happily at home. Allow your cat to spend short periods of time indoors at first and gradually increase the time they spend at home until they feel comfortable. Keeping your cat inside overnight is often a great place to start. Cats roam further from home at night, increasing their risk of being hit by cars and encountering unfriendly cats and dogs. Many wildlife species that are most vulnerable to predation by cats such as ringtail possums, feather gliders, and bandicoots are also most active overnight. While some cats may enjoy moving indoors, others may take longer to adjust. You can find more information about…

When many potential pet-parents start their search for a furry friend, most people think their options are restricted to cats and dogs. But pocket pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and mice make ideal companions for people in smaller dwellings, or those without a yard. Pocket pets may be small, but they are just as loving as their larger counterparts. Pets like Horton, a delightful rabbit awaiting adoption at our Sydney Shelter, are content to sit on your lap and adore you as you brush their fluffy coats. Rabbits like Horton, a bundle of joy currently residing at Sydney Shelter, need a constant supply of grass or grass hay to chew on throughout the day.    Across NSW, there are over 50 pocket pets like Horton patiently waiting to find a home. Bec Bochtler, Head of Operations at RSPCA NSW, encourages prospective pet owners to give smaller animals some consideration. “Though often overlooked, pocket pets can be wonderful…

RSPCA NSW considers that vaccinating your dog against Parvovirus is essential to protecting their welfare. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your dog, and other dogs in the community, from this devastating illness. It is also important to follow good hygiene practices, such as regularly cleaning your dog’s living areas, washing your hands after handling dogs, and avoiding contact with other dogs if your dog is unwell. Protecting your furry mate from Parvovirus is key to their health and wellbeing. Vaccination is a crucial step in keeping your dog healthy and happy, so make sure to speak to your vet about getting your dog protected. What is Parvovirus? Canine Parvovirus is a serious and often fatal viral disease that affects unvaccinated dogs and puppies. It is highly contagious and spreads directly or indirectly through faecal matter. Clinical signs and symptoms to look out for The incubation period typically lasts between four to six days, with clinical signs…

At RSPCA NSW we believe that every cat deserves a safe and permanent home with someone to take care of them.  Unfortunately, that is not the reality for the thousands of unowned stray cats in our neighbourhoods. They get by the best they can, often trying to befriend kind-hearted locals for a bite to eat or a comfy place to sleep. These stray cats also contribute to the thousands of kittens that arrive at pounds and shelters across the state every year.  The streets are a dangerous place for cats. Free-roaming cats, especially strays, are at risk of being hit by cars, attacked by dogs and other cats, becoming lost, and contracting infectious diseases. A cat kept safe in a loving home will live on average 10 years longer than a cat who roams.  Caring for stray cats is everyone’s responsibility – it takes the whole community working together.  Is there a stray cat where you live? Don’t walk past…

Did you know… last year RSPCA NSW took in more than 13,000 homeless, sick, injured, or surrendered cats? About 2 in 3 of these were kittens. That’s almost 9,000 kittens! If you lined these kittens up head to tail (and could get them to stay still) the queue would stretch for about two kilometres.

RSPCA NSW is calling our equestrian community to give ex-racehorses, like Noodles, a forever paddock and a new lease on life this November.

In honour of International Cat Day, RSPCA NSW is sharing some tips and tricks on how to keep your feline friend happy, healthy and safe at home. 

In recent times, many people have transitioned to working from home. Cats can happily transition to an at-home lifestyle too! Cat containment (also known as ‘keeping your cat safe at home’ or an ‘at-home lifestyle’) means keeping your cat on your property at all times. You can transition a cat of any age, at any stage, to an at-home lifestyle. Go slowly. Give you and your cat time to establish a new routine. Step-by-step your cat will learn that an at-home lifestyle can be fun. Kittens adapt well if kept at home from an early age. An adult cat who currently roams can also be gradually introduced to an at-home lifestyle by initially keeping them inside at night and increasing the time they are kept at home during the day. Timing is everything. You can gradually transition your cat to an at-home lifestyle at any time but there are times of day (e.g., feeding time), times of year (e.g., when…

There are few things less irritating than the sound of a neighbour’s dog that won’t stop barking. Barking is a normal behaviour of dogs. Safe to say, if there are any dogs in the neighbourhood, you may expect them to bark.    Problems occur for owners, neighbours, and the dog when this barking gets extreme.  RSPCA NSW receives hundreds of noise complaints about barking dogs every year. It’s a good idea to explore ways to reach a solution before escalating it to authorities.    Here are some steps you can take:   Approach your neighbours    Working with your neighbours to find a solution is an excellent beginning step if they are approachable. Explaining the impact of the barking without becoming upset or judgemental can assist in guiding talks towards a solution.   Even if you don’t like dogs or believe that solving the problem isn’t your responsibility, offering support, in the beginning, can encourage your neighbours to seek out an appropriate solution…

Ehrlichiosis is a disease of dogs caused by bacteria carried by the Brown Dog Tick. If not treated appropriately it can be fatal. RSPCA NSW urges dog owners to be on the lookout for symptoms of the illness.   What is ehrlichiosis?   Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia canis, which is found all over the world but is most prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, under-skin bleeding or bruising and weight loss in dogs are all symptoms of ehrlichiosis.  Humans can also become infected with ehrlichiosis by the bite of an infected tick in rare instances. However, dogs are unable to directly transmit the illness to humans or to other dogs.  It’s quite difficult to manage the spread of ehrlichiosis once it’s in the tick population, especially in tropical and subtropical areas like we have in parts of Australia.   When did ehrlichiosis first appear in Australia?   In 2020, canine ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection, that was thought to be absent in Australia was discovered in the Kimberley area…

It’s the never-ending debate- are you a dog or cat person? We’d like to provide an alternative answer here: an animal loving person. It’s no matter if they have fur, scales or feathers.   At RSPCA NSW we have so many animals up for adoption other than cats and dogs, that you’ll be spoilt for choice as an animal lover. Keep reading to learn more about how amazing each of these animals are, and how they can make the perfect addition to your family.  Guinea Pigs   Guinea pigs are a great option if you’re looking for a pocket pet that you and your family can adore, play with without taking up a lot of space. Their friendly nature makes them fantastic pets. A big plus is that they don’t require a lot of supplies; all they want is a simple setup of hay, pellets, and a tunnel in a large enough cage for them to move about in.    Learn…

RSPCA NSW asks pet owners to remain vigilant over what they feed their pets over the holidays. In the spirit of giving, it can be tempting to sneak our pets a taste of the Christmas ham. However, it is important to remain pet smart this silly season and stay vigilant over what we are feeding our pets these holidays. You may think you are giving your pet a treat by giving them festive foods, but many of these foods can be toxic to animals or cause them to become unwell,” said RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian Liz Arnott. “There are other ways to make Christmas special for your pets, like providing them with long-lasting chews and taking the time to exercise and play with them before your guests arrive for lunch,” Dr. Arnott added. Here are some festive foods to avoid giving your pets: ·       Pork/ham ·       Marinades ·       Gravy ·       Cooked bones ·       Chocolate ·       Christmas pudding ·       Fruit cake ·       Grapes/currants/raisins ·       Onion ·       Lollies ·       Alcohol We all must resist giving into those puppy dog eyes this Christmas…

As the weather starts to get warmer and the days get longer, kitten season begins and female cats start to ‘come on heat’. When this time of year comes around, RSPCA NSW shelters are often flooded with litters of kittens that have been the result of owners not desexing their cats or letting them roam freely outside. Sometimes, we get 500 to 600 cats and kittens coming into our shelters each week! We’ve put together some information about kitten season, and what you can do to help RSPCA NSW care for your kitty friends at this difficult time of year. What should you do if you find a litter of kittens? If you find a litter of kittens, it’s firstly important to check if they’re warm and healthy-looking. If they are, leave them alone and wait to see if their Mum comes back for them, as she may just be away trying to find food. Watch over their development and…

There’s nothing cuter than watching a cat chase a patch of light, using their paws to knead as if they’re baking bread, or climbing into everything and anything. That’s why the internet is practically made of cats, with millions of videos to show us just how adorable and funny these felines can be. But if you’re planning on adopting a cat or kitten, what’s the best way of caring for your fluffy friend? Cats make for purrfect pets. They’re affectionate and clean, love to play and provide great companionship. In fact, they’ll love nothing more than curling up in your lap. Compared to dogs, cats don’t need lots of space for exercise. They’re also very independent, so will cope well at entertaining themselves. Follow our seven-step guide to ensure your feline family member stays happy and healthy. 1. Food Cats are carnivores, meaning they must eat animal protein to survive. Give your pet a high quality cat food suited to…

Spring has officially sprung. But for many of us and our pets, springtime also means allergies. To make this season a comfortable one, here are a few things you can do to help minimise any discomfort your pets are experiencing as a result of seasonal allergies.   1. Look out for the signs Dog and cats primarily experience symptoms of allergies through their skin- so the first symptoms are itchy, irritated skin. This can show up as your dog excessively licking their paws, tummies and legs particularly and scratching, chewing and biting at their skin. You may notice them shedding more hair than normal. Itchy ears (scratching and head shaking) are commonly seen in dogs with allergies which can progress to ear infections very readily.   2. Modify your walking routine You may want to avoid specific times of the day depending on your pet’s sensitivity. Pollen levels are highest in the morning and then again at night, so take…

If you’re anything like us, the last few weeks in lockdown have been filled with daydreams about of  moving to a farm or even just a couple of acres (we’ll take what we can get!) Maybe it’s just us, but every version of this dream involves getting pet chickens… I mean who doesn’t love farm fresh eggs?! Whilst the farmhouse dream may be far from reality, owning chickens doesn’t have to be!   Chickens can make great pets, that’s why at RSPCA NSW we’ve put together this guide about everything you need to know about getting chickens to ensure you can give them a happy and healthy life.     Do you have space?   Legally, each chicken requires around 3-4 square feet to move around in but we’d suggest giving each chook at least 4-5 square feet of roaming space to ensure that your chickens are comfortable.    Remember that the more space your chooks have, the happier they will be and the cleaner…

Making your own dog treats at home is a simple way to give your pet healthy, natural snacks made with ingredients you can trust. Whether you’re looking for puppy‑friendly training treats, everyday dog snacks, or frozen dog treats for hot summer days, these DIY recipes are safe, nutritious and approved by the RSPCA NSW team. Below, you’ll find five easy homemade dog treat ideas along with helpful tips for keeping your pet’s snacks balanced, safe and delicious. Homemade peanut butter cookie pet treats The best part of these cookies is that they can be made with staple ingredients in your pantry. Just be mindful that the peanut butter you’re using doesn’t contain xylitol as it can be dangerous to your dog. Get the full recipe here  Frosty Paw Dog Treats Nothing can help cool your dog from a long day of playing outside like a frozen treat. This simple three-ingredient frozen paw treat can be substituted with everything from yogurt…

Winter is here and even though your furry friends may have a ‘built-in coat’ it’s still a good idea to be mindful of how you can keep them as warm and comfortable as possible. We’ve rounded up our five best tips for keeping your pets warm in cold weather!   Keep your pets indoors   If it’s too cold for you to be outside then it’s probably too cold for your pet! Especially during snowy weather, it’s critical to keep your pets indoors where they are protected from the elements.   When keeping your pets indoors, make sure you are mindful of potential hazards such as heaters and electrical cords which should be kept out of reach. You should also keep a close eye on your pets if you use a fireplace as our pets might not understand that flames can be dangerous. If you need to leave your pet home alone indoors then make sure all heaters are fireplaces are turned off as they can easily turn into a fire hazard when knocked by your pet.   Looking…