Blacktown City Council - Media Release - New Pooch Parks And Pupnic

Blacktown City has one of the highest dog ownership rates in

the state and to support responsible dog ownership Council 

has just opened 2 new dog parks in Hebersham and 

Quakers Hill and is hosting a dog picnic to celebrate.

The off-leash, fenced enclosures are located at Paterson 

Reserve, Quakers Hill and in Heber Park, Hebersham.

Blacktown City Councillors Chris Quilkey and Moninder 

Singh recently joined the Department of Planning’s director 

of Open Space, Fiona Morrison and children and teachers 

from Mary Immaculate primary school in opening the 

Paterson Reserve dog park.

“These two dog parks will bring to 16 the number of off-leash 

areas in Blacktown City,” Councillor Quilkey said.

“Dog parks bring many benefits to the community.

“They encourage dog owners to exercise their pets and 

themselves, meet fellow dog owners and be part of the 

community. At the same time, the facilities prevent dogs 

interfering with other activities and events in the parks.”

The NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and 

Environment contributed $190,000 to the cost of the 

construction of the 2 dog parks which include watering 

points, shaded seating, fencing and a special gateway 

system to make dog handling easier.

Council is inviting pooches and their owners to a dog picnic 

at the new off-leash park at Paterson Reserve, Quakers Hill 

on Sunday 15 September.

The pupnic will be held from 9am to 10.30am and there will 

be free giveaways, pupcakes and information on animal 

adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Date:   Sunday, 15 September

Time: 9am to 10.30am

Location:        Off-leash dog park, Paterson Reserve, Quakers Hill

Pet lovers should mark their calendar for the annual 

Blacktown Pet Festival on Sunday 13 October at the 

Blacktown Showground.

The pet-friendly day promises to be full of fun with a range of 

entertainment and activities to help owners look after their 

companions and raise community awareness about

responsible pet ownership.

Date:            Sunday, 13 October, 2018

Time: 10am to 2pm  

Location:         Blacktown Showground Precinct, Richmond 

Road, Blacktown

 Blacktown City Councillors Chris Quilkey and Moninder Singh (centre) joined the Department of Planning’s director of Open Space, Fiona Morrison and children and teachers from Mary Immaculate Primary School (and dogs) in opening the Paterson Reserve dog park.

Blacktown City Council Media Release - Blacktown Stray Dogs Stats Slide

MEDIA RELEASE

26 July 2017

Blacktown City pet owners seem to be heeding calls to take better care of their canine companions, according to the latest Council data.

Over the last four years, fewer dogs have been ending up as strays on local streets and in the Animal Holding Facility, Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“The number of stray dogs has more than halved from 2,252 to about 800, while the number of impounded dogs has also dropped significantly to a four-year low of 1,700,” he said.

“This is particularly pleasing, given our population has grown rapidly in that time.

“I congratulate all the pet owners who do a great job looking after their furry friends, and I encourage them to keep up the good work.

“With Council due to open a new animal rehoming centre in the next couple of years it’s exciting to know pet owners will have even more support to take good care of their pets.”

Companion Animal Advisory Committee Chairperson Councillor Chris Quilkey said the figures showed Council’s pro-active pet education campaign was working.

“Council has ramped up all aspects of its responsible pet ownership program over the past four years,” he said.

“The employment of our full time animal education officer, Jacqueline Benito, has been a key to driving these improvements.

“Jacqueline regularly holds animal education programs at schools, libraries and community events to raise awareness about how to properly take care of pets.

“Other initiatives include subsidised pet desexing and free microchipping days. 

“I thank Jacqueline and all the AHF employees and volunteers for the important work they do in helping us all be better pet parents.”

Ms Benito said it was wonderful to see the positive effects Council’s education campaigns were having.

“The onus is on the pet owner to be responsible, but it’s up to Council to lead the way,” she said.

“Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, but there are still people who don’t have pets.

“We want to have as much cohesion between pet owners and non-pet owners as possible and make having pets an enjoyable part of our lives.”

Declining figures mean fewer dogs are roaming the streets.  Source: Blacktown City Council

Follow the link to download photos below:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sg2ihchzhj7he7a/AADzBzVKZ3ejNVQPmpJ8tTv3a?dl=0

Councillor Chris Quilkey, Animal Education Officer Jacqueline Benito and Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali.

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali with a puppy from AHF.