Pet owners are encouraged to join local film and television actor Myles Pollard and keep their cats and dogs indoors or contained for Pets’ Night In, Monday 11 April.
The inaugural event coincides with National Pet Day and encourages pet owners to protect their pets and local wildlife by keeping them safe and contained.
Myles Pollard keeps his staffy Buck safe by keeping him indoors at night and contained to his Dunsborough property during the day.
“Being a responsible pet owner means looking after your beloved pet and reducing their impact on the world around them,” Myles said.
Similar to the global Earth Hour event, Pets’ Night In asks pet owners to pledge to keep their pets inside for one night on April 11. Even better, pet owners are encouraged keep their pets contained for the full 24 hours or work towards round-the-clock containment.
To help spread the message about responsible pet ownership, pet owners are also encouraged to take a selfie of themselves with their furry friend, using a Pets’ Night In selfie frame and including #petsinsidesaveslives and #petsawaypossumsplay
Pet owners can pledge anytime now in the lead up to the event and download the selfie socials frame.
Studies have shown that cats and dogs that are kept inside or contained live safer, happier and healthier lives. South West RSPCA Inspector, Genna Haines, has witnessed some of the devastating impacts to both roaming cats and wildlife in our region.
“I’ve seen first-hand the damage and distress pets can cause local wildlife, and the disease, injury and death that is rife in roaming cat populations,” said Genna.
“We have some incredibly special and diverse wildlife in the South West and these animals deserve respect and protection.
“That’s why I’m taking the pledge with my three dogs to show support for this great event,” she said.
Following the Pets’ Night In event, GeoCatch will calculate how many native animals have been saved, and how many pets were prevented from roaming as a result, based on national statistics. The results will then be communicated to the community via social media and local networks.
Pets’ Night In is supported by local vet practices GeoVet, Heritage Vets, Vasse Vets, Busselton Vet Hospital, and the City of Busselton, RSPCA and SAFE Busselton.
This project is delivered by GeoCatch through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, in partnership with South West Catchments Council.
