Is it necessary to feed my pet reptile live prey? There are very few, if any, vertebrate-eating reptile species who will not eat anything other than live food in captivity....
How should I keep and care for my pet ducks? Ducks need housing that meets their physical, behavioural and social needs. They are social animals and should be kept with...
Can I keep a frog as a pet? Before you consider purchasing a frog you need to be familiar with the law in your state or territory. Frogs...
Can pigs be kept as pets? Pigs are intelligent, inquisitive, social animals. If you are thinking of getting a pig as a pet, there are several...
Can I keep a native turtle as a pet? Keeping native (freshwater) turtles as pets requires special care and is subject to permit or licensing restrictions. These vary between...
Can wild-domestic cat or dog hybrids be kept as pets in Australia? A wild-domestic hybrid is the result of breeding a wild species of animal with a similar domesticated animal species, most...
What is the RSPCA’s view on keeping native animals as pets? In the past, native animals could not be kept as companion animals unless a government permit was issued. However, over...
Is it legal to sell exotic animals such as monkeys or tigers as pets in Australia? RSPCA Australia receives many enquiries about exotic animals such as monkeys, tigers and lions for sale over the internet. These animals...
Is it legal to keep native animals as pets? The keeping of wildlife as pets is subject to specific licensing requirements – please contact your State or Territory government...
How should I care for my pet turtle? Turtles are a unique species of reptile who have special requirements in captivity which must be met to ensure they...
How should I care for my bird? Are birds the right companion for me? What is the right bird for me? There are plenty of studies that...
How can I keep my birds entertained, alert, and interested in their environment? Behaviour of wild birds There is an extensive body of literature devoted to observations of wild bird behaviour. While there...
Where should I get my pet bird from? At some time, everyone who keeps birds will acquire a new bird – a new pet, a new breeder, a...
Where should I keep my birds? Companion birds are most commonly kept in indoor cages and enclosures, although some are housed in either temporary or permanent...
How will I keep my bird safe against household hazards? Every year hundreds of birds suffer from health problems caused by their environment. Their human companions are often shocked (and...
What does a healthy bird look like? When looking at bird, you must be aware of the ‘masking phenomenon’. Birds are, for the most part, a prey...
How should I handle my bird? At some time, you, the owner, must handle (and sometimes restrain), your bird. Traditionally, it was considered acceptable to put...
Are birds the right companion animal for me? This sounds like a very basic question to ask, but it’s one that needs to be addressed. Are birds the...
What kind of enclosure does my bird need? Birds have been kept as companion animals (pets) for many hundreds of years, but the last 50 years have seen...
How, when, and why should I worm my birds? Worming birds – both aviary birds and companion pets – is a subject that is hotly discussed in avicultural and...