December is Cat Lovers Month, and Breeder’s Choice is shedding light on the growing trend of ‘Green Pet Parenting’, offering sustainable solutions for environmentally conscious cat owners.

For cat lovers, every affectionate purr, playful leap and quiet moment of companionship reflects our unique bond with our feline friends. 

This Cat Lovers Month, Breeder’s Choice is celebrating this connection by championing the growing movement of green pet parenting. By embracing choices that prioritise sustainability, cat owners are showing love for their pets and the planet.

“Green pet parenting is more than a trend—it’s an expression of the love we feel for our pets,” says Managing Director of Breeder’s Choice, Steve Adams. 

“At Breeder’s Choice, we’re for cats and the joy they bring into our lives, which is why we’re committed to empowering cat owners to make choices that align with their values of care and sustainability.”

What is Green Pet Parenting?

At its heart, green pet parenting reflects the love and care cat owners feel for their pets, inspiring them to make choices that also protect the planet. From sustainable products to waste reduction, green pet parenting helps ensure that future generations of cats can thrive in a healthier environment.

“Green pet parenting allows cat owners to care for their pets with the same affection and thoughtfulness that inspires all of us who love cats,” Adams explains. 

“It’s about taking simple steps that benefit both the pets we adore and the planet we share.”

How Can You Be a Green Pet Parent?

Breeder’s Choice shares three easy ways to bring sustainability into your pet care routine while keeping your cat happy and healthy:

✔️ Choose Sustainable Litter: Traditional clay litter can be harsh on the environment. Instead, opt for biodegradable options like Breeder’s Choice Cat Litter, which is made from recycled paper and designed to minimise waste.

✔️ Look for Natural Toys and Accessories: Swap out plastic pet toys for natural, renewable materials, or check out eco-friendly toy brands that prioritise sustainability.

✔️ Select Eco-Friendly Treats: Look for treats made with natural, sustainably sourced ingredients and minimal packaging. 

Breeder’s Choice Tasty Treats, for example, align with green pet parenting values, so you can feel good about treating your pet while reducing your environmental footprint.

“More and more cat owners are recognising the importance of green pet parenting,” says Adams. “By making sustainable choices like using Breeder’s Choice products, they’re showing care for the planet without compromising the quality of their pet care.”

Breeder’s Choice remains committed to supporting environmentally conscious lifestyles with products that prioritise both pets and the planet. 

This Cat Lovers Month, the brand invites cat owners to take simple, meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future—because small choices can make a big difference.

“As cat lovers, we share a deep connection with our pets and a responsibility to nurture the world they live in,” Adams concludes. “Green pet parenting allows us to care for our cats and the environment with equal thoughtfulness, and Breeder’s Choice is here to make that journey easier.”

Join the Breeder’s Choice Green Pet Parenting Movement:

This December, Breeder’s Choice invites cat lovers to celebrate the love and joy their pets bring by joining the green pet parenting movement. 

Share your eco-cat photos on social media using the hashtag #BreedersChoiceGreenPet for a chance to win 1 of 4 tasty treat prize packs from Breeder’s Choice.

MEDIA RELEASE, 3rd December 2024

Give the gift of love to cats in need at the Cat Protection Society of Victoria

This Christmas the Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) is launching the Santa Paws Appeal, encouraging businesses, corporations and Victorian cat lovers to share some Christmas spirit and donate to cats in need.

Last Christmas period, CPSV took in 310 cats and kittens, accounting for nearly 25% of the total intake for 2023. On average, each cat spent 59 days in the shelter before being adopted.

Marketing and Communications Manager at CPSV Rachel Bitzilis said the daily cost to provide a safe space for each cat is $25 with the expenses significantly increasing for cats requiring medical care.

“With rising cost-of-living pressures leading to an increase in cat surrenders, along with many cats remaining undesexed and roaming outdoors, we anticipate even more cats coming into our care seeking refuge this Christmas,” Rachel said.

“During the Christmas season, our foster care program reaches full capacity as kitten births surge in the warmer months. 

These kittens need to be placed with our volunteer foster carers in order to grow and thrive ahead of anticipated adoption at around 10 weeks.

“Every contribution is essential in helping us provide the best possible care, medical treatment, and shelter for our cats as we work to find them loving, permanent homes.” 

“Even a $25 donation will allow us to provide a lonely and abandoned cat with toys to help keep their spirits up at Christmas time.”

With more than 75 years of commitment to finding loving homes for every feline, CPSV has provided refuge and rehomed over 85,000 Victorian cats. 

Every year, CPSV cares for more than 1,200 cats and kittens, achieving a 98% rehoming rate in 2023. CPSV does not euthanise cats on entry due to space or age.

Meet all the CPSV cats available for adoption

“We have a variety of beautiful cats who will be spending their time with us this Christmas, including our stars Bennett, Jeremy and Atticus. 

Most of these cats have spent the best part of their lives without a family to call their own or needing to battle for survival on the streets,” Rachel said.

"As a not-for-profit, we rely on donors to continue making a difference in the lives of cats and families. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tremendous difference. It's a wonderful way to spread some Christmas joy as these funds will support our efforts to rehome more cats.”

Donors will also be able to write a Christmas wish for a shelter cat in need, which will be displayed online or in the shelter on the CPSV Wishing Tree.

To make a tax-deductible donation and for more information on the appeal, visit the CPSV website at catprotection.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE, 26th November 2024

Itty Bitty Kitty is not cute... she is practically a tiger!

Itty Bitty Kitty #5 is the final book in this warm, funny and accessible series for emerging readers.

Itty Bitty Kitty LOVES leaves, chin tickles and chicken sandwiches. She HATES being called cute. She is almost a tiger, after all!

She may still be a kitten, but Itty Bitty is ready to take on the world. And she knows all the Cat Laws.

So it's Itty Bitty's job to teach her humans everything! But with surprise visitors, new adventures and even another kitten around, it's Itty Bitty's turn to learn a new trick or two...

Join Itty Bitty on three epic adventures. Will she stick to the rules? Or will this kitty make up her own rules for life?

Paperback, 196 pages

Publisher: Affirm Kids, 26th November 2024

For Ages: 5-8 years old

RRP: $14.99. For details, please visit affirmpress.com.au

Why is this title a great addition to the kids' library?

✔️ The perfect reader series for families who already have plenty of hybrid comic / graphic novel series and want their kids match-fit for novels.

✔️ Delicately balanced laugh-out loud humour with heart-warming life lessons.

✔️ Each book includes three stories in one, with five books in the series.

✔️ Written by two titans of Australian junior fiction publishing, Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger.

About the writers

Maddy Mara is the pen name of Melbourne-based creative duo Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger. Hilary and Meredith have been collaborating on children's for nearly two decades. Hilary is an author and former publishing director; Meredith is the author of countless books for kids and young adults, and teaches English as a foreign language. Maddy Mara is the melding of their respective daughters' names.

Noémie grew up in a small coastal town of New-Brunswick, Canada, surrounded by the ocean. Growing up, she told everyone she wanted to become either a doctor, or a children's book illustrator. Midway through med school, she decided she would do both. She now shares her time between the hospital (where she works as a rheumatologist) and her home studio, where she sketches, draws and paints surrounded by her wife, son, two tiny Chihuahuas and two cats. She works both digitally and traditionally, creating engaging illustrations, usually with a funny twist!

MEDIA RELEASE, 26th November 2024

Luna, Teddy and Hugo lead the pack as Australians embrace traditional human names for their canine companions

Pet Insurance Australia is delighted to announce the nation's most popular pet names for 2024, highlighting a continued trend towards traditional human names for our four-legged friends.

"Luna is a well-established human name, particularly in Spanish and Italian cultures, where it carries strong celestial and mythological significance," Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia explains. 

"Teddy, traditionally a nickname for Edward or Theodore, has evolved into a popular standalone first name in modern times. Meanwhile, Hugo remains a highly popular choice for people worldwide."

Top 10 Male Cat Names:

1. Hugo
2. Alfie
3. Archie
4. Milo
5. Odin
6. Prince
7. Rocket
8. Apollo
9. Barney
10. Beau

Top 10 Female Cat Names:

1. Luna
2. Minnie
3. Molly
4. Coco
5. Lucy
6. Milly
7. Penny
8. Pepper
9. Violet
10. Angel

Top 10 Male Dog Names:

1. Teddy
2. Milo
3. Leo
4. Alfie
5. Archie
6. Charlie
7. Rocky
8. Bear
9. Henry
10. Hugo

Top 10 Female Dog Names:

1. Luna
2. Daisy
3. Coco
4. Nala
5. Lola
6. Winnie
7. Molly
8. Millie
9. Bella
10. Ruby

"It's fascinating to observe the enduring popularity of human names for pets," said Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia. "Names like Luna and Teddy top the charts and reflect the desire to name our pets as we would our children, showing the deeper bond between owners and their pets."

Notably, Luna has consistently held the top spot among female dog names for several years, underscoring its widespread appeal. While the cat names certainly reflect that feline owners are a little more adventurous with the naming of their pets.

“We simply adore great descriptive names coming more popular, such as Rocket, and more traditional names, such as Penny, making the list in 2024.”

Tips for Naming Your New Puppy:

“With puppy season upon us, selecting the perfect name is an exciting part of welcoming a new pet,” Crighton says. “We advise people to choose a couple of names and to see what name best suits their new bundle of fur once they have arrived home.”

Other tips include:

✔️ Keep it Simple: Opt for names with one or two syllables to ensure easy recognition by your puppy.

✔️ Avoid Confusion: Steer clear of names that sound similar to common commands to prevent misunderstandings during training.

✔️ Reflect Personality: Spend time with your puppy to understand their unique traits, which can inspire a fitting name.

"For those seeking a distinctive name for their pet, exploring various sources can provide some needed inspiration."

✔️ Literature and Mythology: Names like "Athena" or "Gatsby" offer a unique flair.

✔️ Nature-Inspired Names: Consider "River," "Willow," or "Aspen" for a natural touch.

✔️ Cultural References: Delve into names from different cultures or languages that resonate with you.

The trend towards traditional human names for pets reflects a societal shift in how we perceive our animal companions.

"Assigning human names signifies the deepening relationship between pets and their owners, emphasising their role as cherished family members," added Crighton.

As you welcome a new puppy or kitten into your home, choosing a name that resonates with you and suits your pet's personality can enhance the bond you share.

MEDIA RELEASE, 13th November 2024

Related Stories:

Australians love naming their fur babies with popular human baby names

Top Christmas-inspired pet names

Unique and unusual pet names inspired by food

Most popular cat breeds in Australia in 2024

Cats and Us provides a fresh, informed and fun look at our relationship with our animal companions. 

Featuring adorable photography, classic and contemporary observation and research, quotes and extracts, it will simultaneously delight and inform anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the cat-human relationship. Perfect for the growing number of curious cat owners, and anyone who wishes to give them a joyful and meaningful gift.

Discover the inner workings of our relationship with cats in this gentle, informed and fun look at the reasons why we love our four-legged friends.

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

Many of us know the joy (and amusement) of having a feline companion. But have you ever wondered why we can feel such an attachment to cats in particular? Pairing adorable images with the latest research, Cats & Us is an investigation into – and celebration of – cat-human relationships.

With the rise of hybrid working and average lifespans increasing, cat owners are spending more and more time with their pets. This book explores how cats affect and improve a multitude of aspects of our lives, covering themes including affection, calming, exercise, friendship and play. It also captures the link between human wellbeing and our animal companions – a particularly wonderful aspect of life with cats.

Cat lovers everywhere will adore this fresh and vibrant look at the bond we share with our feline companions. 

"Your house will always be blessed with love, laughter and friendship if you have a cat." - Lewis Carroll

With fascinating insights from organisations such as the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, it brings brand new academic research together with playful quotes and images in a collection that will inform, intrigue and delight. 

Join the growing number of curious cat owners and dive into Cats and Us.

• Hardback, 144 pages
• Publisher: Exisle Publishing, 6th November 2024
• RRP: $34.99. 
• Cats & Us is available from Exisle Publishing and wherever good books are sold.

Follow Exisle Publishing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ExislePublishing  or @exislepublishing on Instagram.

About the Author

Gareth St John Thomas, is the founder and CEO of Exisle Publishing, based in Australia and New Zealand. He has been involved in the book industry since he was 11 years old, when he started helping his dad at David & Charles. 

Now, his mission with Exisle is to bring books into the world from voices that otherwise wouldn’t have been heard, and to give readers something with heart. 

Gareth's previous books include Cats Work Like This, which he co-authored with his father David St John Thomas, and Oliver Kitten's Diary.

MEDIA RELEASE, 6th November 2024

Win 1 of 4 Breeder's Choice Tasty Cat Treats Prize Packs!

Did you know that Breeder’s Choice not only make the best cat litter around, they also released a range of Tasty Cat Treats to spoil your kitties?

Crafted with love in regional Australia, these irresistible treats are made from 100% Aussie-sourced meat — no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. 

Just pure, natural goodness that your feline friend won’t be able to resist and will be demanding more after the first bite. And did we mention all the treats are cat shaped - which is a very cute touch! 

The range includes 120g canisters in the following flavours:

✔️ Beef with Herb and Catnip

✔️ Chicken & Blueberries with Catnip

✔️ Chicken & Tuna with Egg

✔️ Duck with Rosemary with Catnip

Treat time just got a whole lot more exciting for our Aussie felines and now is the time for your kitties to discover it for themselves! You can purr-chase these flavours in Woolworths and IGA and also online! 

PLUS two brand new flavours dropping soon exclusive to Petstock: Salmon & Tuna with Catnip and Beef & Tuna with Seaweed!

*** Win 1 of 4 Breeder's Choice Cat Treats Prizes ***

Total Prize Pool: $112.00 (each prize pack RRP: $28.00 x 4)

Follow Breeder's Choice Cats on Instagram @breederschoicecats or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/breederschoice

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like our post (01/11/2024) + Follow our Facebook page or/and Instagram page

2. Like Breeders Choice Cat on Facebook and/or Instagram

3. Comment "what do you think your cat would love most about the NEW Breeder's Choice Tasty Cat Treats?" via our Australian Cat Lover Facebook page or the Australian Cat Lover Instagram page before Tuesday 12th November 2024 (11:59pm A.E.S.T.).

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. This Giveaway opened on Friday 1st November 2024 (3pm) and closed on Tuesday 12th November 2024 (11:59pm AEST). 

Open to Australian residents (aged over 18 years) only.

Congratulations to our 4 winners this week: Polly P. Stewart, A. Black, R. Dau, D. Wilkinson (via Facebook).

Please allow 1-2 weeks for your prize to be received (sent by the company directly).

2. To Enter, Like our post (01/11/2024) + Comment "what do you think your cat would love most about the NEW Breeder's Choice Tasty Cat Treats?"  via our Australian Cat Lover Facebook page or Australian Cat Lover Instagram page. 

3. This Promotion is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winner.

The entries will be judged by the Australian Cat Lover team. The winning entries will be selected based on the most creative, informative or useful statement.

4. Please note you MUST LIKE BOTH accounts to be eligible for a prize.

5. Entrants in the competition can only enter once.

6. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be redrawn.

* Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of all terms and conditions.