Is socialising my puppy important? Proactively socialising your puppy is very important. Puppies have what is called a ‘critical socialisation period’ between approximately 3 -17...
How do I keep my pet bird healthy? Pet birds can be excellent companion animals, provided they are properly cared for and provided with an interesting and spacious...
How should I house my pet bird? Birds are highly intelligent animals that require regular exercise and mental stimulation. It’s important to ensure these needs will be...
What are the animal welfare issues with pets wearing costumes? Many people enjoy dressing their pets in costumes, particularly for special events such as Christmas. Some animal welfare organisations include costume...
How should I exercise my puppy? Providing puppies with the opportunity to exercise is a very important aspect of their care. Apart from providing various health benefits, exercising also provides...
What sort of environment should Siamese fighting fish be kept in? It is often claimed that Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) originate from and prefer to live in small puddles of...
How should I keep and care for my guinea pigs? Guinea Pigs (also known as cavies) are a species of rodent native to the South American Andes. They are social...
How do I keep my pet rabbits happy? Rabbits are naturally active, social, curious and intelligent animals. In the wild, rabbits will graze, play, explore and groom each...
What does it mean when rabbits thump their foot? Thumping the back foot is a natural reaction among rabbits to danger that they have smelt, heard or seen. Rabbits...
How should I house my pet ferret? Ferrets should normally be confined in a safe, secure area such as a cage when they are not under direct...
Can I keep my pet ferret with other animals? Ferrets are very social animals, so keeping at least two ferrets together as a pair rather than a single pet...
Can I tether my pet bird? Tethering is where an animal is fastened by an appropriately attached chain to a centre point or anchorage, causing it...
What size enclosure does my pet bird need? While a cage can provide a safe refuge and home environment for pet birds, most cages are too small to...
How should I house my pet mouse? Mice can be very interactive and sociable animals who readily accept human companionship. Some tips on how best to house...
How should I house my pet rat? Rats are interactive, intelligent and highly sociable animals. We recommend that you house at least two compatible rats together. They can...
Is tethering of farm animals acceptable? Tethering is where an animal is fastened by a chain to a central anchor point, causing it to be confined...
Is permanently housing cows an animal welfare issue? There are nearly 1.7 million dairy cows in Australia. On average, each cow produces close to 5,500 litres of milk...
How can feather pecking be managed in cage-free layer hen systems? Severe feather pecking is an injurious behaviour where hens vigorously peck at and pull out the feathers of other birds....
How can free-range layer hens be encouraged to use the range area? In free-range systems, birds’ use of the outdoor area is dependent on the weather, condition of the range area, the...
Is group housing preferable to individual housing of dairy calves? Calves born in a natural environment will begin interacting with each other at around 1-2 weeks of age when the...