Companion Animals Community Education Grants Program

The objectives of the Companion Animals Community Education Grants Programare:1. To increase the pool of resources available to all NSW councils forcommunity education2. To acknowledge and support the work being done by NSW councils indeveloping community education resources and utilise their expertise3. To acknowledge and utilise the information and experience of NSWcouncils in identifying priority issues for community education.4. To maximise use of limited resources by avoiding situations where severalcouncils develop the same resource.5. To provide an incentive for NSW councils to develop community edicaitonresources.RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND THE PROGRAMSince the passage of the old Dog Act in 1966 patterns of pet ownership havechanged considerably. Community attitudes and expectations about whatconstitutes responsible pet ownership have also changed over this time.The Companion Animals Act promotes the welfare of animals and balances theneeds of people in the community who own companion animals and those who donot. Responsible ownership includes considering the impact of companion animalson neighbours and the wider community, as well as addressing environmentalconcerns.A companion animal is a cat or dog that one which is kept for the welfare and benefitof both the animal and its owner. If they are to be truly our companions, our cats anddogs need our time, attention, care and control. When animals become a problemfor neighbours or wildlife it is often because they are not being given the care theydeserve.Pets make a positive contribution to our society. Indeed, Australia has one of thehighest rates of pet ownership in the world. Most pet owners act responsibly,providing adequate food, water, shelter, socialisation, training and veterinary care fortheir animals. In the majority of instances, companion cats and dogs are valued andmuch loved members of the family and do not create a nuisance for the community.It is a small number of irresponsible pet owners who cause most problems for thecommunity. Their animals are the ones that roam the streets, pollute public areas,cause property damage, or attack people or other animals. These irresponsiblyowned animals also provide the link between the domestic and feral animalpopulations that do such harm to Australia’s native fauna.The aim of the Companion Animals Act is to provide for the effective and responsiblecare and management of companion animals by:1. Promoting the welfare of companion animalsCompanion Animals Community Education Grants Program page 5