Paws For Thought: Camden Council’s Latest Initiative

Welcoming a furry companion into your life is a commitment that can bring both joy and brand-new experiences. Whether you're a first-time dog guardian or a seasoned pet lover, Camden Council has created their brand new initiative, Paws For Thought, that provides the information and tools necessary to create a loving home for your four-legged friend.

We chatted with Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, about the Paws For Thought initiative and the other excellent initiatives that Camden Council has introduced to support pets and people in the local community.

Hi Ashleigh! We love seeing councils supporting pet owners and the community! Can you tell us how Camden Council's Paws For Thought Event came about? 

There has been a lot of change in the Camden LGA in recent years, and with many new estates and residents moving to the area, we have not only seen significant growth in young families coming to the area but also lots of young puppies. We wanted to create this event to help people, young and old alike, get the information they need before buying a dog and to help them get through the first challenging years of dog ownership. There are often hurdles that dog owners need to jump over and with this event, we want to start that conversation and provide resources to address some of those cheeky behaviours our furry friends can have.

Rex looking for a home via Camden Council Animal Care Facility.

The information night is the first step towards a rewarding and responsible journey into dog ownership. Owning a dog is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with a lot of responsibility and expenses that you may not have thought of. The information night is suited to first-time dog owners or seasoned pet owners looking to learn more about providing a loving and secure home for their dog.

What are your goals, hopes and dreams for this paw-some initiative?

If we can help just one person with making an informed decision about dog ownership or turning a negative into a positive dog experience, then we are making a difference. We would like to set people up for a successful dog ownership experience and to build a network that is accessible and provides support to dog owners throughout their life journey.

Image via Camden Council Animal Care Facility Facebook Page.

Camden Council have many initiatives to support the community through pet ownership, including providing free microchipping and name tags, desexing programs, PAWS school education program, community events such as Paws in the Park and many more. We are always working with local businesses and attending adoption days to help connect with the community, not only to find homes for our animals but to provide information and support to people who already have pets. We are passionate about helping people help their pets and are always looking for new ways to support the community.

How have Paws for Thought and other initiatives run by Camden Council helped people and pets?

At Camden Council, we try to help people in whatever way we can. From getting dogs back to their owners to helping people who have had accidental litters. Our cat desexing program has had a lot of success in helping overwhelmed owners and in giving cats a safe happy life.

Bear looking for a home via Camden Council Animal Care Facility.

Do you have any advice or guidance that you'd give other councils in starting up programs like this? 

A great place to start would be endorsing a Companions Animals Committee. Our committee is made up of professionals and local residents as the key members, and it has helped us understand the needs of our local community. It can be quite daunting when there are so many things that you can do, so we would also suggest starting small and building your programs year by year.

It is so important to build rapport with your surrounding councils and animal organisations. Due to some of the programs that Camden Council run, we have built great relationships with a lot of our local veterinary practices and many training providers. Each person's situation is different, and building those relationships with a variety of vets and trainers means we are able to point people in the right direction to help them with their needs. Programs will be more successful if you can share information and work together.

Jimba looking for a home via Camden Council Animal Care Facility.

You've been a member of PetRescue since 2017, and 314 pets have been marked as adopted on the platform - incredible! How has becoming a PetRescue member helped Camden Animal Care Facility? What would you say to any other councils thinking about signing up to PetRescue? 

Do it! PetRescue has a huge reach of potential pet owners, and by being a member of PetRescue, we have been able to help so many animals find new and loving homes.

Does your local council run programs to support pets and people in the community? Send us an email and let us know at info@petrescue.org.au.

Want to find a force-free trainer in your area? Click here. 

Councils across Australia use PetRescue to rehome the animals in their care. If you're a council animal shelter and would like to learn more or arrange a virtual tour of the PetRescue platform for your management and team, get in touch with us here.

Banner Image Credit: Camden Council Facebook Page.