Wildlife-friendly garding

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	Wildlife-Friendly Gardening

Make your pet a Backyard Buddy

Australians love backyard wildlife, and they love their pets. In 1994 three in five households had at least one pet, one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the world. 38% of households had a dog, 27% had a cat, 16% had a bird and 9% of households had fish.

With a little bit of care and a few smart ideas both possums and pinschers can enjoy a
Traditionally dogs spell trouble for koalas, large lizards, ground dwelling birds and possums on the other. Cats find it harder to resist chasing native birds, small mammals and lizards. Snakes on the other hand can be dangerous for both curious cats and dogs.

So how do you turn your pet into a Backyard Buddy and keep it safe and sound?

If you have to part with your pet bird, fish, rabbit or any other once loved pet, never “set them free” – native or not. Your pet is used to being cared for and will most likely not survive in the wild. Even if they do, exotic animals such as aquarium fish, rabbits and rodents, especially if not desexed, can add to local pest problems. They may also carry contagious diseases that can be harmful to wild populations.

Most native animals are nocturnal, with birds in particular being most active at dusk and dawn. These are the times when it’s best to keep pets and wildlife apart.

The ABC’s 2004 WildWatch survey unveiled that the majority (71%) of respondents kept their cat inside at night, compared to only about half of dog owners. About one pet owner in five restricted their animal's movements to a particular area to minimise contact with wildlife.

Make Your Cat a Backyard Buddy

Make Your Dog a Backyard Buddy

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