Editor

In Australia, our system for managing lost, unowned, or surrendered companion animals has roughly 3 “layers”. Let’s break them down into their primary roles/functions, shall we? Pounds: Pound holding periods differ across the states, so it’s best to familiarise yourself with those timeframes in case you need to reclaim a lost pet from the pound. … Read more

There is something about reptiles that can make them very easy to misunderstand. They don’t bark when they’re bored. They don’t scratch at the door asking to go for a walk. They don’t need to be taken outside several times a day, and many reptiles are perfectly happy spending much of their time quietly going … Read more

Fleas are one of the most common parasites affecting cats, and even indoor cats can become infected. These tiny insects may be small, but they can cause major discomfort, skin problems, allergic reactions, anaemia in kittens, and even spread tapeworms. Understanding how fleas live, spread, and survive is the key to protecting your cat and … Read more

When we talk about dog training, it is often associated with puppies.  puppy preschool, toilet training, learning to sit, walking on a lead and developing good manners. But training should never be viewed as something that only happens during the first few months of a dog’s life. Every dog can benefit from training, regardless of … Read more

Its spring and it’s the time of year when we start hearing this from the public passing horses in paddocks. The horse is simply wearing a fly mask. Horse fly masks are made of mesh, similar to a fly screen in your house, with Velcro closures, designed to shield a horse’s eyes, ears, and sometimes … Read more

Warmer weather brings new opportunities—and new risks—for our feline friends Spring is a beautiful time of year. The days become longer, temperatures rise, gardens burst into life and, for our cats, the world becomes filled with new sights, sounds and smells. But spring also brings some seasonal challenges for cat owners. Breeding activity increases, kittens … Read more

September means longer days, warmer weather and the beginning of spring across Australia. But for some of our pets, it can also mean the beginning of itchy season. Just like us, cats and dogs can react to allergens in their environment. As pollen counts rise and grasses and plants begin to flourish, you may notice … Read more

Reptiles are often advertised as easy or “low-maintenance” pets, but this misconception can lead to poor welfare outcomes for the animals. While reptiles can become relatively easy to care for once their enclosure and husbandry are properly established, they still require specialised care, research, and an understanding of their natural behaviours and environmental needs. One … Read more

In Australia’s growing companion animal sector, few roles carry as much responsibility—or as much scrutiny—as that of the dog breeder. With increasing public awareness around animal welfare and ethical sourcing, the expectations placed on breeders have never been higher. But what truly defines a good breeder? Beyond registration numbers and marketing claims, ethical breeding is … Read more

The Great Cat Mystery… Solved Every cat owner has experienced it: you buy a luxurious plush cat bed, place it proudly in the lounge room… and your cat immediately climbs into the empty cardboard box it came in. As strange as it seems, this behaviour actually makes perfect sense to cats. Choosing a box over … Read more

Australia’s animal care and training industry is at a pivotal crossroads. As demand for companion animal services continues to grow—spanning pet care, training, breeding, grooming, boarding, and assistance animals—the absence of consistent, enforceable national regulation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. While many dedicated professionals operate with integrity, skill, and a genuine commitment to animal … Read more

For many reptile keepers, there comes a time when we start to wonder: How can I safely keep my reptile outside? A visit to the zoo often sparks the idea. Seeing reptiles thriving in open, naturalistic outdoor enclosures makes us consider how we might replicate something similar at home—while still maintaining the highest standards of … Read more

Have you ever wondered why there are far more male ginger cats than females or the genetic story behind tortoiseshells and calicos? After more than a century of curiosity, scientists in the USA and Japan have finally uncovered the genetic secrets behind these classic feline coat colours. They have confirmed that the vibrant orange coat … Read more

I recently attended a popular online horse fair. Its set up as 2 days of videos by instructors and horse trainers from around the world that you can watch in your own time. The topics vary from rider fitness, solving horse behaviour issues, fitness training your horse and training techniques. The thing I have found … Read more

Across Australia, shelters and pounds are reporting record intake numbers, longer lengths of stay, and increasing euthanasia rates—particularly for adolescent and adult dogs with behavioural challenges. This trend should concern everyone involved in animal care, welfare, breeding, training and policy. At the same time, the industry has seen a strong and often uncompromising shift toward … Read more

Many Victorian bird keepers will have noticed recent government statements about cracking down on “intensive” wildlife breeding and restricting the size of wildlife collections. These proposals are being framed as animal welfare reforms — something no responsible aviculturist would ever oppose. But scratch the surface and a more troubling issue appears: these proposals seem to … Read more

I recently adopted a large breed pup (Great Dane cross) from a NSW approved and registered rescue. Her name is Rain, and I fostered her mum and 8 other siblings from when they were <1 day old. Having been involved with a few rescues as a foster carer over the past 20+ years, I’m a … Read more

Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald – 1st February 2026 Australia has welcomed about 1.5 million extra pet cats since COVID. They were perfect isolation companions: independent, affectionate, low-maintenance. While those additions to households may sound heart warming, a few years later, looking a little closer – as a veterinarian, lifelong cat carer, and … Read more

Well, it is 2026 already! 2025 was yet another huge year for Animal Care Australia as we continued to respond across the multiple reviews and amendments to animal-based legislation across the country. In addition to the countless attempts by local councils to limit how your pets can be kept, including restricting numbers with unrealistic and … Read more

The Victorian Government responds to Wildlife Act Review with recommendations that will affect native wildlife keepers. It has only taken the Government four years, but they have finally released their response to the Report into the Review of the Wildlife Act. While it was good to see the more ‘ideological’ wishes not supported by the … Read more