Stray pets in Australia are a significant concern, not least because they often lack access to the necessities of life. As an animal lover, it can be heartbreaking to see stray animals struggling to survive. However, there are various actions we can undertake to aid these animals and alleviate their suffering. 

Effective strategies to help stray pets in Australia:

Supporting Local Animal Shelters and Rescues: These organisations tirelessly work to rescue and rehabilitate stray animals, providing them with medical attention, food, shelter, and the chance to find a loving home. You can contribute by volunteering your time, donating money, sponsoring an animal, or providing items such as food, bedding, and toys. If you have the resources, consider fostering a pet temporarily until they find a forever home.

Promote Adoption, Not Buying: One of the most direct ways to help stray pets is to adopt, not shop. By adopting pets from shelters or rescues, you are directly reducing the number of animals living on the streets and giving them a second chance at a happy life. Make sure to spay or neuter your pets to prevent an increase in the stray population.

Education and Advocacy: Many people are unaware of the plight of stray animals. Use your voice to advocate for them, and educate those around you about the importance of adopting pets, neutering/spaying them, and treating them responsibly. You can do this by organising or participating in school presentations, community discussions, or social media campaigns.

Feed Stray Animals Responsibly: If you decide to feed stray animals, do so responsibly. Leaving food out at all times can attract wildlife and create a problem for both the wildlife and the strays. Instead, try to establish a regular feeding schedule and always clean up afterwards to prevent attracting other animals.

Use Humane Trapping Techniques: In situations where strays are causing a nuisance or pose a risk to themselves or others, humane trapping may be necessary. Always use humane traps and turn the animal over to local animal control or a reputable rescue organisation that can provide appropriate care.

Microchipping and Collaring: Microchipping and collaring are ways to help reduce the stray population. Encourage pet owners to microchip their pets, as this can help to identify lost pets and return them to their owners quickly. Collars with tags also make identification easier and can deter people from mistakenly assuming a pet is a stray.

Support Legislation that Helps Stray Pets: Governments can play a significant role in controlling and supporting stray animals. Support legislation that promotes the welfare of strays, such as laws requiring sterilisation of pets, holding pet owners accountable for their pets, and supporting the work of animal rescue organisations.

Partnering with Veterinarians: Veterinarians play a critical role in helping stray pets. They provide necessary medical treatment and can offer low-cost or free sterilisation services. Establishing partnerships with local veterinarians can help ensure stray pets get the medical care they need.

Did you find a stray pet in your neighbourhood?

When you find a stray pet, check the body carefully for any wounds or injuries. If you find any wound or injury on the pet, take the pet to the closest veterinarian for treatment. Ensure that adequate food and water are given to the pet. 

According to the latest Australian rule regarding stray pets, stray pets can now be taken to any registered animal shelter or any participating veterinary clinic. The animal shelters or participating veterinary clinics must accept the stray pet and reunite it with its owner if possible. 

Note that only participating veterinary clinics accept stray pets to reunite with their owners. Therefore, you should not just drop off a stray pet at a veterinary clinic without finding out if the veterinary clinic is participating or not.

Another way to help stray pets in Australia is to contact your local council to instruct you on what to do next about the stray pet. The local council will examine the stray pet if it has any form of identification – registration tag, microchip, collar, and so on. If the stray pet can be identified, the local council can reunite the stray pet with its owner.

However, if the pet can’t be identified, the local council will keep the animal for some time to enable the owner to reclaim it. But if the pet is not reclaimed by its owner, you may be given the pet if you are interested in adopting it. The local council will guide you on how to go about this.

You can also take the stray to anyone or any business with an 84Y agreement with the local council where the pet was found. These are the acceptable ways to help stray pets in Australia. You should not reunite the pet directly with its owner. Reuniting a pet directly with its owner without following the legislative requirements above can get you fined.  

If you reunite a dog or cat directly with its owner rather than following the legislative requirements, you may be fined. You won’t want your act of kindness to turn sour. Therefore, always inform your local council for assistance.

Also, for your safety, don’t always jump at every stray pet on the street. Before you help such a pet, be patient, watchful, and think of your safety. Some pets can be aggressive if they feel scared.

If for any reason you can’t get the stray pet to the local council as soon as possible, you should prepare a temporary shelter for the stray pet. 

Conclusion

Helping stray pets requires a community effort. Every action, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the life of a stray animal. Whether you choose to volunteer, donate, adopt, or advocate for their rights, you'll be making a positive impact on the stray pet population in Australia. Remember, a compassionate society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members, including our four-legged friends.