Welcome to the 2012 edition of Tag Time News, the City’s newsletter for pet owners. This edition of Tag Time provides tips and solutions to prevent dogs from escaping, plus the results of the Tag Time survey undertaken in 2011.

You can also read about the introduction of a Shared Pathways Charter and the issues with cats roaming at night.One of the most important events for 2012 is the review of the City’s Domestic Animal Management Plan. Keep a look out for your opportunity to contribute ideas in the near future.

Your feedback is invaluable to us in our efforts to make Geelong a responsible pet community.Lastly, this issue introduces the City’s marketing brand for domestic animals – Lead the Way.

Happy Walking!

The sick feeling you get when your dog has escaped and is missing is horrible. While most dogs wind up back home, sadly many owners never see their pets again.

Does your dog do a disappearing act and miraculously escape? Escaping dogs was the most common issue dealt with the City’s Animal Officers in 2011. In fact over 3435 dogs were reported ‘at large’ during the past 12 months. This represents a significant cost to Council in terms of collecting and impounding such animals.

Dogs escape for many reasons, such as:

• Being left alone for long periods of time and becoming bored and frustrated.
• Separation anxiety and/or fear of loud noises, thunder and fireworks. Seeking veterinarian advice may assist with separation anxiety.
• Dogs that are not desexed are more likely to roam.

Escaped dogs roaming the streets can be a nuisance for you and the community. Roaming dogs are at risk of causing a car accident, biting someone, being attacked by another dog or being stolen.

Be proactive; check all your dogs escape routes today. If your dog does escape and is missing, call Geelong Animal Welfare on 03 5248 2901 or the City of Greater Geelong on 03 5272 5272.

Common ways of escape

• Dogs revert to digging under fences and houses when they are bored and lonely or when there are thunderstorms and fireworks happening.
• Climbing or jumping fences.
• Pushing through rotting timber or squeezing through gaps in fences.
• Escaping through gates that are not properly latched.
• Slipping out between owners or visitors legs when answering a door

• Bury wire deep down at the base of your fence. Cover with rocks or cement to prevent the dog digging. Provide your dog with stimulating toys, kongs or a huge bone to keep them entertained while you are away.
• Remove all obstacles that are close to or next to the fence so your dog can’t use it as a springboard. Add extender fences at a 45 degree angle to prevent dogs from climbing or jumping
• Check all fence palings, replace where necessary. Ensure there are no gaps around the perimeter of the yard.
• Ensure latches and locks on gates and doors are operable and lock securely closed. Replace any faulty locks.
• If your dog accompanies you to answer the door pop it on a lead to ensure you have total control. Put the dog outside before you answer the door. Train your dog to sit/drop and stay while you are answering the door.

Microchipping and registration are two different things

Just because your pet is microchipped it doesn’t mean they are registered.

A microchip is permanently implanted into the animal and allows for information on the pet to be retrieved electronically Australia wide and in some casesinternationally. Microchipped pets are much more likely to be reunited with their owners if they are lost or stolen.

Microchipping is for life and just like registration it is compulsory under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.All dogs and cats over three months of age must be registered.

Did you know - pet registration helps us to:

• Provide a registration tag for your pet to wear.
• Provide a lost and found service if your pet is found wearing its registration tag.
• Respond to calls of wandering dogs, dog attacks and nuisance problems.
• Manage dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs reducing threat to the community.
• Provide a State Government education program for Primary Schools on Responsible Pet Ownership and pre-schools on how to avoid dog attacks at home and in public.
• Signs for dog on and off-leash areas, and patrols to check that dog owners comply.
• Provide education on responsible pet ownership through publications, workshops etc.

Make sure you microchip and register your pet. This way you know it will also make it home.

Microchipping and Registration Roadshows
The City held nine Microchipping and Registration Roadshows between October and December in various locations around the municipality.

In total over 546 pets were microchipped and 580 registered. As always these community events were very well received by pet owners. View our upcoming upcoming roadshow dates.

New legislation under the Domestic Animal Act
Effective 1/1/2012 it is an offence to advertise the sale or gift a dog or cat unless the microchip identification number of the animal is included in the advertisement or notice.

Dog Poo

We all hate stepping in it. But did you know dog poo also damages the environment and pollutes the waterways? As a courtesy to yourself and others please take a few moments to pick up after your pet. Make sure you always carrying a plastic disposable bag with you when you go walking.

Free ‘Doggie Paks' for carrying your spare plastic bags are available from customer service offices. Remember to dispose of the dog poo in litter bins whenever you are out walking. Penalties may apply under the local law for not cleaning up dog poo.

The Domestic Animal Management Plan was adopted by Council in 2008. The plan is now up for review. The plan ensures the City meets its statutory requirements under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.A review of the plan, in consultation with the community, will commence shortly. The City invites you to contribute to this very important plan to ensure that the municipality remains a Pet Friendly Environment and a Responsible Pet Community.

Tag Time News Survey Results 2011

Thank you to the 2127 people who responded to the Tag Time News Survey held in 2011. The feedback and ideas received have been taken on board and will be incorporated into future projects and Tag Time News articles.

Here’s a snapshot of results:

• 95.1% of respondents read their copy of Tag Time News with 97.5% of respondents finding the current format easy to read.
• More than 95% of respondents found Tag Time News educational and informative.
• Whilst 29% enjoyed receiving the publication annually there is a slight push for a half yearly edition at 32% or even quarterly at 28%.

• Training tips.
• List of Cat and Dog Clubs.
• Tag Time News will continue to be produced and mailed out with animal registration renewals. Keep a watch for a new ½ yearly email newsletter which you can sign up for, starting in June.

The City has introduced “Lead the Way” as its new look for marketing the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

Lead the Way invites you as a pet owner to demonstrate Responsible Pet Ownership, setting examples by being a pooper scooper, addressing barking dog problems and is also a reminder to walk your dog on lead. It will be used in future marketing campaigns, communications and advertising. 

1. Be confined to your property from sunset to sunrise.
2. Not be allowed to roam onto your neighbour’s property unless your neighbour has given you their express permission.

During 2011 the City received 523 complaints regarding roaming cats and loaned 176 cat traps to residents to assist with trapping straying cats. Letting your cat wander outside your property can incur a penalty.

Some tips on being a responsible cat owner:

• Have your cat desexed to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.
• Ensure your cat is locked inside at night.
• Build a cat enclosure or cat-proof your yard. Pick up a FREE copy on “How to build cat proof fencing and cat enclosures from the City’s Customer Service Centres.
• Please do not feed stray cats. Despite good intentions, feeding these cats creates the broader problems of stray cats.
• Contact the City if you have a stray cat roaming in your area.
• Register and microchip your cat to ensure it always comes home.

Can I walk my cat on a lead?

Absolutely!

Lara cat owner Coral Nicholson and daughter Kerrie trained their cats Krystal T and Jedda to both walk on harness leads as kittens.Coral said she only had to show Krystal T and Jedda the harness and say “walkies” and both cats wouldimmediately sit patiently and wait for their harness to be put on.

Other than the times that Coral and her daughter Kerrie took the cats “walkies” the cats remainedindoor cats. Congratulations to Coral and Kerrie. Cat harnesses can be purchased at local Pet Stores

Help – my dog has been reported as a barking dog - what happens if the problem escalates?

If you have been informed by Council that a neighbour has complained about a barking dog problem. Council is here to help you resolve the problem.  Once your dog has been reported for barking, the person who has made the complaint will be given a barking dog diary. This allows the complainant to actually record the time of day/night and the number of times the dog is barking, to determine whether it is excessive.

An Animal Officer will contact all parties to discuss the nuisance barking, providing solutions and tips on how to resolve the problem. The Animal Officer will continue to work with the owner and the complainant to find a solution.

Barking Dogs are still a concern

603 complaints about barking dogs were reported during 2011. Is your dog guilty of causing neighbourhood distress?Barking dogs are still causing many a sleepless night around Geelong.

Sadly, barking dogs are often the cause of neighbour disputes, and if the problem isn’t resolved the matter often escalates and can end with neighbours and dog owners trying to find some resolution in Dispute Settlement, or even in Court.

Before this problem gets out of hand, check with your neighbour/s if your dog is a culprit. Sometimes you might not even know your dog is barking. If your dog is guilty, try not to get upset, be proactive and look for ways to fix the problem.

Quick Tips:

• Exercise, play and interact with your dog daily – they are often lonely and bored.
• Bring them inside when you are home for some family time.
• Check there is nothing medically wrong with them, (eg fleas, allergy, or illness).
• Check they have a place to call their own, with plenty of water.
• Ask a neighbour who is at home during the day to take your dog for a walk. This is a good way for you and your dog to get to know your neighbour.
• Keep you dog stimulated with doggy toys or a big bone for when their alone.
• Check they are not stressed or afraid - thunderstorms and fireworks, can be absolutely terrifying for a dog. Dogs often hear these noises before humans. Place them somewhere safe (like a garage, laundry or in the house) during these times.
• Work with a dog trainer who specialises in barking dog problems.

It’s always nice to see a well trained dog. You know, one ofthose dogs that comes when their owner call and sits andstays on demand.Many of us dream that one day when we wake up our dog will be miraculously changed. If you’re feeling frustrated don’t forget there is help at hand.

Many veterinarians, pets stores and dog clubs operate regular puppy school classes that focus on basic obedience commands like sit, drop and socialising skills.

After puppy school there is a number of different training levels that can be reached. By attending a Dog Club or organising one on one training sessions you and your dog will benefit enormously.

• Teaching your puppy or dog to be well behaved takes time, practice and patience.
• Reward your dog or puppy straight away when they have done the right thing.
• When praising your pet for good behaviour really accentuate your praise eg (Good dog, well done with lots of patting and a treat).
• Never hit your puppy or dog – this will only traumatise them and make them scared of you.
• Never leave your dog or pup alone with children – no matter how well you know your dog.

• The Governing Council of the CatFancy Australia 
• Cats Victoria Inc
• Cat Alliance Australia
• Feline Control Council: 03 9720 8811

After Hours Emergency Service

The City of Greater Geelong Animal and Information Services team provides a 24/7 365 days a year emergency service if you wish to report an after hours emergency regarding animals, i.e. a dog attack or livestock at large.

Urgent matters will be attended to immediately; other matters will be addressed the next working day. Contact us on: 03 5272 5272

Lost your Pet Registration Tag?
No problems, replacement tags can be obtained free of charge from your nearest City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centre or by phoning 03 5272 5272. (Smaller tags available for cats and toy dogs)