Blacktown City Council - Media Release - PAWfect Day Out With The Family!

4 October 2019

Pet lovers mark your calendar for a PAWsome day at the annual Blacktown City Pet Festival on Sunday 13 October at the Blacktown Showground.

Blacktown City Council’s team from the Blacktown Animal

Holding Facility will celebrate pets of all shapes and sizes.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP is encouraging all 

owners and their pets to have a fun, action packed day at 

the Showground.

“The Pet Festival is one of the great ways Blacktown City

Council celebrates pets and helps raise awareness about 

responsible pet ownership.” Mayor Bali said.

World famous veterinarian and television presenter Dr 

Katrina Warren will host the event.

“Katrina has a genuine love and passion for animals and 

helping pet owners enhance the special bond that they 

share with their pets.” Mayor Bali said.

“There will be range of free services available at the Pet 

Festival including microchipping for Blacktown residents. If 

your pet wanders, microchipping makes it so much easier for 

them to be reunited with you.”

The Blacktown Animal Holding Facility delivers a valuable 

service to the community by providing somewhere safe for 

lost animas to be kept while attempts are made to reunite 

them with their family or to re-home them.

Throughout the day there will be dog demonstrations and 

workshops from Steve Austin, director of K9 Training and 

Behaviour. There will also be the annual Pet Fashion Parade.

Mayor Bali said; “The Pet Fashion Parade is a fantastic 

chance for your pet to really shine. There will be a Best Dog 

category as well as Best Other Pet category.

Pet festival attractions include:

·         Pet selfie competition

·         Free jumping castle

·         Free animal farm

·         Australian wildlife display

·         Free vet checks

·         Free micro-chipping

·         Free face painting

·         Free plaster painting

·         Sheep shearing demonstrations

·         Have a go at milking a cow

·         Pet stalls and displays

·         Animal Holding facility animal adoption stall

·         Mobile dog wash

For more information call 9839 6000, or for more information 

about the Animal Holding Facility call 9839 6161 or 

visit www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au.

Date: Sunday, 13 October, 2019

Time: 10am to 2pm 

Location: Blacktown Showground Precinct, Richmond Road, Blacktown

Festival goers can enjoy the dog shows and demonstrations.

Enter your pet in the Pet Fashion Parade.

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Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Make An Adopted Pet Your Christmas Gift

MEDIA RELEASE

12 December, 2017

Blacktown City Council warns pets are lifetime commitments and should not be given as gifts.

“As the operators of the largest Animal Holding Facility in Western Sydney, too often we end up with the mistakes people make,” Chair of Blacktown City Companion Animal Committee, Councillor Chris Quilkey, said.

“Too often unwanted pets end up in the Animal Holding Facility (AHF), because they were not suitable to the house or the new pet owners.

“If you want to give a pet as a gift, why not make a day of it at the AHF where you and your friend or family can adopt the pet that suits your circumstances?

“It is better to go to a shelter facility and adopt the right pet from the huge choice available rather than for the animal to end up with us after Christmas because it was not suitable,” he said.

Blacktown Council’s Animal Education Officer, Jacqueline Benito, reminded pet owners not to forget about their pets during the holiday season.

“Owning a pet is a rewarding experience that comes with big responsibility,” Ms Benito said.

“Pet owners should ensure their animals are healthy, well nourished, groomed, vaccinated, properly exercised and socialised.

“From our experience we know this is the time of year is when our intake increases due to pet owners being away on holidays, and fireworks or summer storms scaring them into running away.

“Make sure gates are secured and fences are checked to ensure pets are safe and contained over the holiday period.”

Human Christmas feasting is not always appropriate for pets, she warned.

“Christmas ham and turkey are suitable for pets but do not feed cooked bones or chocolate, pudding or lollies as these can be toxic.

“Don’t forget to leave out extra water and ensure shade is available on those hot days ahead,” she said.

Here are some tips on how to look after pets:

·         Ensure your pet is healthy by providing a proper diet and vet care as well as adequate exercise

·         Having clean fresh drinking water always available

·         Ensure your pet wears a collar and name tag

·         Dogs and cats living in NSW are required to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and lifetime registered on the NSW Companion Animals Register by6months of age

·         Dogs must be on a leash in public

·         Dispose of faecal matter in public places

·         Holidaymakers should ensure pets have a place to stay or someone to look after them

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure their pet’s microchip details are kept up to date to allow for address, phone number or email changes.

Council recommends owners add a secondary contact, such as a friend’s mobile or the pet’s regular boarding facility.

Pet microchip details can be changed by logging into the NSW Pet Registry at https://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au or by submitting a change of details form to the council

To find out more about responsible pet ownership phone the Animal Holding Facility (9839 6161), ask your local vet or visit Council’s website www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown Councillor Chris Quilkey and Animal Holding Facility Education Officer Jacqueline Benito have encouraged people to adopt a pet from the AHF this Christmas.

Animal Holding Facility Education Officer Jacqueline Benito says not all Christmas treats are good for pets.

Blacktown City Council Media Release - Pet Perks For Pensioners

MEDIA RELEASE

10 July 2017

Blacktown City Council is helping pensioners keep pet ownership costs down with free microchipping and generous discounts.

Council has partnered with the Animal Welfare League to offer low-cost cat and dog desexing for pensioners and low-income earners until July 31.

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali encouraged pensioners and low-income earners to take advantage of the service. 

“Council understands that owning a pet can be expensive, particularly for people on pensions and families struggling with bills,” he said.

“That’s why we have teamed up with the AWL to ease the financial burden.

“Those who qualify for our subsidised desexing program will pay $30 per cat and $100-$150 per dog – a significant saving on standard vet fees.

“Pets will be microchipped at no cost.”

Blacktown Council’s Animal Education Officer Jacqueline Benito said it was important to desex pets to stop unwanted litters.

“The feral cat population is a big problem across Australia, especially in urban areas where there is plenty of people and food,” she said.

“Desexing cats is one way of tackling that major issue.

“It’s also good for their health of your pet. Desexed animals are less likely to stray and fight, and it reduces the risk of certain cancers.

“It also means we have less unwanted kittens and puppies in our shelters.”

To book your pet in for the subsidised de-sexing program and free microchipping contact an AWL Western Suburbs Volunteer:

Angela: 8834 7328 (11am-4pm)

Jean: 0417 515 484 (9am-2pm)

Marg: 0403 165 147 (9am-5pm)

Katy: 0497 202 020 (8am-5pm)

Gemma: 0435 787 423 (5pm-9pm)

Sharon: 0408 584 186 (6pm-9pm

Narelle: 0418 115 486 (6pm-9pm)

Jeanette: 0401 148 076 (6pm-9pm)

Nathalie: 0468 318 243

Pet owners will need their pensioner card and proof of income to qualify.

Dr David Burrell and vet nurse Kimberley Eurell-Newell are both involved in the desexing program, helping to desex local residents’ pets.