Community

When adopting a pet there are a number of key things you need to think about, in the same way you would if considering buying a puppy, kitten or other pet, to ensure that it is the right fit for you and your family - and for the long term! Benefits of adopting a pet You'll be saving two lives By adopting a pet, rather...

Becoming a Guide Dog puppy raiser with Guide Dogs Australia plays a really important role in helping people with blindness or low vision. If you have ever wondered what it takes to become a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser though, you are not alone. To find out more about what it takes, and how it feels when you have to say goodbye to your little buddy,...

When it comes to Guide Dog interactions, over 40 per cent of Guide Dogs Handlers across Australia have reported an increase in their Guide Dogs having to deal with distractions from pet dogs and owners in the past 12 months, which is putting both the handlers and Guide Dogs at risk. To help provide guidelines for the community when it comes to Guide Dog interactions,...

Puppy scams have become an all too common occurrence since the pandemic as more people than ever have been seeking to bring a new puppy into their home. When people act on emotion, they are easier to scam and that’s especially true for pet lovers who want a furry friend at a time that it has been harder than ever to find a reputable breeder...

Despite all of the research showing the multitude of physical and mental health benefits that pets provide to people, there is still an alarming lack of pets in aged care, with only 18% of aged care facilities allowing residents to keep a companion animal, according to national animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia's 2023 Aged Care Survey: Status of Pets in Aged Care. From reducing...

MacKillop Family Services supports at-risk children living in Melbourne’s west, and have recently expanded into Ballarat, to engage in education through its Specialist Schools and education outreach services with their Paw Pals therapy dogs program. Helping vulnerable kids with education Education is the cornerstone of life and is something that every child should have the opportunity to make the most of. Unfortunately, many children and...

With continued rising interest rates, inflation and pressures associated with the increased cost of living, more and more Aussies are turning to struggling charities for support across a range of services, putting added pressure on those that already can't keep up with community demands. That’s why throughout June, The Petstock Foundation,  the charity arm of the Petstock Group, will again be hosting its national Home...

Given the endless support and love that dogs bring to us, it is no surprise many homeless people across Australia live on the streets with a dog by their side, so I'd like to encourage people to think about the pets of the homeless. With 1 in 200 people falling under the Australian Bureau of Statistics’s definition of homelessness and the 2016 Australian Census showing...

In this celebrity and their dog segment on Pooches at Play,  co -host Gyton Grantley meets up with the grand dame of the media, Ita Buttrose, and her very well behaved Groodle, Cleo, to find out more about this breed. Ita Buttrose is an Ambassador for the Animal Welfare League of Queensland’s (AWLQ) Golden Hearts program and tells us about here role. Ita was named...

There’s no better feeling than adopting a dog but it’s important to remember it can take a few weeks, or even months, for them to fully adjust to their new surroundings and family members. Adopting a dog is a lifelong commitment and you will need to dedicate time to help them settle in and train them. It can be quite daunting and challenging for the...