We all eat things we shouldn’t from time to time, after all, who can resist that extra serving of dessert at Christmas? Luckily for us, the worst consequences often require us to loosen our belts and put on some stretchy clothing. Unfortunately for our pet pals this isn’t their reality. When animals are allowed to overindulge it can mean an emergency visit to the vet. This festive season keep an eye out for the following dangers: Chocolate: We’ve previously discussed the toxicity of chocolate for animals and would like to reinforce that (even a little bit) it’s a serious health threat to your
Yesterday I decided to tag along with our RSPCA ACT Inspectors for the afternoon. They investigated seven different complaints within a two-hour period and all but one was related to what we would call a ‘nuisance’ complaint – most frequently that of dogs barking. Barking dogs are not actually covered by the Animal Welfare Act which is the legislation that our Inspectors enforce. The majority of the time we will turn these types of calls over to the Rangers at Domestic Animals Services (DAS). However on occasion, the person lodging the complaint will describe other welfare issues which we will
Last Thursday was a historical day when the NSW and ACT Governments decided to ban greyhound racing – the first in Australia to do so. Despite our advocacy efforts, it was a day that I wasn’t sure that I would see during my time at RSPCA ACT. We certainly didn’t think that NSW would be the first state to ban this commercial activity in the country. Most people will not realise that only a few countries in the world permit commercial greyhound racing. In the United States, 40 of 50 states have banned it with active racing now only in five states. Growing up in the US, I never met a greyhound
“I’m surrendering my pet because I am moving house.” These are some of the saddest words we hear at RSPCA ACT and way too frequently. While Australia has one of the highest percentages of pet ownership in the world, there are still many people that would love to own a pet, but cannot because they are renting. Last year, I spoke at a property management conference in Canberra. One of the questions I asked the audience was, “How many of you have first-hand experience with a pet causing significant damage to a property that you were managing?” A show of hands only resulted in two people that
I’m often asked what the best type of pet is. The answer is easy: A rescued one! However, when I say ‘best’ I do not mean perfect. I once had a government official (who is no longer working in government) tell me that perhaps our financial challenges were related to the fact that we were “selling the wrong kind of product.” She meant that if we only rehomed the perfect pure bred animals that were in high demand we wouldn’t have problems adopting them out; and therefore would have plenty of money as a result. She obviously did not understand our mission at all! Every day dozens of animals come
It was just another day at RSPCA ACT in February this year, a little ball of white fluff arrived at the Shelter. At just six weeks old, the purebred Japanese Spitz was being surrendered into our care. The reason? After only two days his new owners were in over their heads. He barked too much, he had a skin condition, and what they thought they had ‘ordered’ from the website for about $2000 because of his cute photo wasn’t what they expected. The skin condition was hot spots all over the left side of his body which had turned into ugly scabs. At this age, he should still have been with his
‘Twas the night before Million Paws Walk, when all through the Shelter All the creatures were stirring, even the mouse; The banners and signs were hung by Stage 88 with care, In hopes that lots and lots of dogs would soon be there: The puppies were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of the Paw-Olympics Games danced in their heads; And volunteers in their green shirts and staff in blue caps, Had just finalised the rosters hoping there were no gaps, When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter, I sprang from backstage to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a
