'For the Love of Paws' Campaign
Cats and dogs make great pets and owning one can be very rewarding. Pet ownership also brings with it certain responsibilities.
As a community, you told us you want to see more support for Council initiatives to encourage responsible pet ownership, and we are listening.
Our responsible pet ownership education campaign; 'For the Love of Paws' is here to provide tips for being a pawsome pet owner and deliver on Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-2025.
Be sure to watch this space as we deliver on some key topics throughout the campaign.
The stars of the show
Look out for Piper, Goldie, and friends - created by local artist Chris Roy Taylor, popping up around the shire.
They'll be reminding cat and dog owners what it takes to be a pawsome pet owner.
Piper
🐾 Breed: Kelpie
💼 Occupation: Retired sheep herder
⚽ Fitness: inexhaustible!
👨👧 Siblings: Goldie the cat
👎 Pet peeve: being walked off lead . . . I always manage to get myself into trouble.
About me
Born in Pipers Creek as a potential farm working dog, an early injury led to my retirement and my new life as a family dog. I now live with my younger brother Goldie the cat and my human parents - they named me Piper after my birthplace.
At four years old, I’m a great herder and thrive on the thrill of the chase! I love pleasing my humans, long walks and runs, attention, doggie treats, agility and any games requiring nose work.
I dislike being left alone with nothing to do… I was bred to work after all!
Goldie
🐾 Breed: never met my parents, but my humans think I’m part Maine Coon
💼 Occupation: Personal groomer
⚽ Fitness: Not active - I prefer lazing around
👨👧 Siblings: Piper the dog
👎 Pet peeve: being woken up at 2am because of roaming neighbourhood cats harassing me through the window. Piper trying to herd me like a sheep can be pretty annoying too!
About me
Dumped as a kitten, my start in life was rough. Nowadays I’m exactly where I should be; living my best life indoors surrounded by my subordinates . . . oops, I mean ‘family’.
Goldie represents my gorgeous coat, and my owners’ favourite place. I’ve a sister Piper the kelpie. She’s older but she knows I’m boss - even if I am only three years old.
My favourite pass times include lazing about watching birds by my favourite window, watching cat game videos, grooming myself, hiding in random places and generally overseeing the ins and outs of the household.
Wombat
🐾 Breed: Hey Jack, did you hear that russell?
💼 Occupation: Comedian and all-round funny guy
⚽ Fitness: active if it means I get attention
👨👧 Siblings: A four-legged fish called Wanda . . . just kidding! – she doesn’t actually have legs.
👎 Pet peeve: owners who don’t train their dogs and dogs that get up in my space.
About me
Ever since I was born, I’ve loved digging holes – hence my name, Wombat. I live with my family that love me not so much for my digging, but my adoring sense of character and humour to boot! . . . What can I say, I’m a funny kind of guy.
I am five years old. I love hanging out with humans, being the centre of attention, being active and having fun, making my humans laugh, plus digging holes . . . although I only do that when I’m bored or looking for rabbits or bones I may have buried earlier!
Bigger dogs can make me nervous after I had one rush at me as a young pup… my friend Piper is helping me get over that fear though.
My owner doesn’t have much time to bring me to training, hence some of my less desirable traits.
Cherokee
🐾 Breed: Siamese
💼 Occupation: Alarm clock . . . permanently set for 5am!
⚽ Fitness: actively vocal
👨👧 Siblings: None of the animal kind, but I’ve two of the humankind!
👎 Pet peeve: when my humans don’t chat back to me and show me how much they adore me.
About me
I was named by my first owner who grew up in Cherokee. Unfortunately, she moved to a nursing home and couldn’t take me with her. I was then adopted from a local shelter by a young family with two children who love me just as much. They aren’t home all the time though so I am having to learn to be on my own more, which sure can be frustrating!
I enjoy exerting my influence on the household, being vocal, opinionated, and affectionate when I please. Did I mention that at seven years of age, I am a genius? I can make a game out of anything!
I dislike not being fed on time, every time! . . . this makes me very vocal indeed.
Digs
🐾 Breed: Ask and I shall retrieve . . . who am I kidding I’m a Golden Retriever, l retrieve things even without being asked!
💼 Occupation: Retriever (albeit of random objects) and wannabe palaeontologist.
⚽ Fitness: very active when not resting, and boy do I enjoy a good swim
👨👧 Siblings: I’m a one and only, but I share my backyard with lots of wildlife – magpies, little wrens, possums, kangaroos, and even the odd koala. Can’t say I’m ever lonely.
👎 Pet peeve: when my owners get angry at me for bringing them random objects - I mean c’mon, you literally bought a “Golden retriever” . . . and you called me “Digs” !
About me
Named after my owners’ obsession with Lancefield’s Megafauna, I enjoy retrieving random objects, eating random objects, going for walks in new places (you never know what you might find!), and relaxing in front of the fireplace over winter.
I am five years old and dislike thunderstorms and fireworks . . . I once broke straight through the fence of our old place and ran (. . .okay walked fast) for more than 2 kilometres trying to get away from the noise. Luckily a lovely lady found me and called the local ranger who got me back home safe and sound.
Macey
🐾 Breed: Panther in a domestic cat’s body
💼 Occupation: Lap warmer, venus fly trap, and private investigator . . . I can find dropped food anywhere!.
⚽ Fitness: Moderate . . . I get in at least three ten minute zoomies and one downward cat yoga session per day.
👨👧 Siblings: I did have a brother however he went missing when the back door was left open some years ago. My family cried a lot when he left.
👎 Pet peeve: cat owners that let curious cats like me roam free (I once lost a brother that way).
About me
Named after the beautiful Macedon Ranges, I too resemble beauty.
I like being part of the family, playing games like fetch the foil ball, chasing feathery wand things, generally being curious and making my presence known (I always have a lot to say). My favourite night of the week is pizza night.
I am five years old and don’t like being told what to do. I am the head of the household and I answer to no one!
Piper and Goldie's favourite topics
The campaign stars are already delivering on some important responsible pet ownership themes, through various mediums including footpath decals, additional signage, posters and other educational pieces.
Click on the items below for topics covered so far.