Tell us what you think about responsible pet ownership in your local area!
GeoCatch’s pet ownership message ‘Pets Away, Possums Play’ has been in circulation for two years and we want to know what you think of it.
The campaign aims to reduce harm caused by dogs and cats to the critically endangered western ringtail possum. By surveying pet and non-pet owners, GeoCatch can measure changes in behaviour and the effectiveness of the campaign messaging.
“We want to know what the wider community thinks about responsible pet ownership in our region,” said GeoCatch project officer, Nicole Lincoln.
“We’re also really interested to see if the campaign resonated with the community and raised awareness about the impact of dog and cat predation on possums.”
This information will help GeoCatch, South West Catchments Council, City of Busselton, SAFE, local vets and wildlife groups to better understand pet ownership behaviours and attitudes in our region, and help tailor future behaviour change campaigns to keep pets and wildlife safe.
Everyone who completes the short online survey goes in the draw to win a personalised pet or native animal portrait by a south west artist, valued at $250.
‘Pets Away, Possums Play’ reminds pet owners to keep pets contained to reduce injury and death to the critically endangered western ringtail possum. The campaign also has the ripple effect of protecting other urban native wildlife. The community has been engaged through videos, workshops, catio tours and resources, night walks, bin stickers and online marketing.
‘Pets away, Possum play’ forms part of GeoCatch’s iconic Peppies for Possum project that aims to increase community awareness of the western ringtail possum. GeoCatch will continue to deliver a range of community events over the next two years to further promote responsible pet ownership throughout the Geographe Bay Catchment.
The survey is online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rpo2, or contact GeoCatch on geocatch@dwer.wa.gov.au or 9781 0111.
This project is supported by the South West Catchments Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, and the State NRM Program.
