Christmas is a great time for the family – but don’t neglect your four-legged members.
As you’re making your Christmas plans, be sure to set aside some time to think about your pets. And we’re not talking about whether there’s a chew toy wrapped up under the tree.
Give them a real gift and get them microchipped or, if they’re already microchipped, check your pet’s registration details – including your address and phone number – are up to date.
“Each year, Wollongong City Council helps look after more than 2,000 cats and dogs that have been separated from their owners. These pets are taken to the RSPCA Shelter at Unanderra where they’re cared for until their owners can be contacted,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.
“But if the dog or cat isn’t microchipped, or the owners have moved house and not updated their contact details, it can be much harder for the RSPCA to reunite people with their pets. And it really needn’t be. Your pet can be microchipped at the vet, and they can be registered at Council’s Customer Service Centre in the Burelli Street Administration building.’’
In fact, Cr Bradbery said under the NSW Companion Animals Act all dogs and cats must be microchipped by the time they’re 12 weeks old and all dogs and cats must be registered for life by the time they’re six months old. It’s also worth noting, you also need to let Council know when your pet dies within 28 days.
Lifetime registration fees range from $15 to $150. Desexed cats and dogs are $15 for eligible pensioners, and $40 for all other residents. Certification proving desexing must be provided. An undesexed dog or cat is $150, unless they’re owned by a registered breeder when registration is $40.
If your animal does stray or you find a stay pet over the Christmas/New Year period, you should contact the RSPCA in Industrial Road, Unanderra, on 4271 3410.
“Even if the RSPCA is unattended, people can put lost animals in one of the night kennels located just before the RSPCA’s front gates. These boxes have water, bedding and will keep the animals safe. They’re also checked daily over the Christmas and New Year break,” Cr Bradbery said.
Animals taken to the RSPCA will have a release fee of $16.40 and $27.80 per day for food and care. And owners might have to pay vet costs as well.