Get ready, Sydney cat lovers! We're giving away 3 Double Passes (RRP $90.00 each) to the highly anticipated Sydney Cat Lovers Festival on August 23rd-24th, 2025, at the Sydney Showground!

This is your chance to experience a purr-fect weekend celebrating all things feline. With just one ticket, you'll gain access to both the Cat Lovers Festival and the Dog Lovers Festival!

At the Sydney Cat Lovers Festival, you can:

• Meet dozens of cat breeds and get up close in the Pat-A-Cat Zone.

• Learn from Australia's top experts on the WHISKAS® Stage, featuring personalities like Dr. Katrina Warren, Saba Sayyed, Rose Horton, and the famous US-based kitten rescuer, Hannah Shaw (the Kitten Lady). Don't miss her deeply engaging "Saving Kittens Workshop"!

• Test your feline knowledge at the new CatKwiz – an energetic live game show with a cat-tastic twist!

• See amazing costumes at Kitty Cosplay (Saturday only), where cat lovers of all ages dress up as their favorite feline characters.

• Explore the Feline Natural Breed Showcase featuring popular and rare breeds.

Plus, you'll have access to expansive shopping precincts at both festivals, filled with the latest pet products.

And much, much more... Discover the whole line-up here:

www.australiancatlover.com/2025/06/cat-lovers-festival-sydney-2025-23-24.html

*** WIN 1 of 3 x Double Passes to the 

2025 Sydney Cat Lovers Festival ***

for August 23 or 24 at the Sydney Showgrounds

 (Total Prize Pool: $270.00) 

To Enter, Like our Post + Tell us "What are you looking forward to the most at the 2025 Sydney Cat Lovers Festival?" in the comments via Facebook or Instagram  
The 3 most creative answers will win!  

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. This Competition will open on Monday 14th July 2025 (4pm A.E.S.T.) and close on Sunday 27th July 2025 (11:59pm A.E.S.T). 

Entries open to Australian residents only. 

You must be available in Sydney on either Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th August 2025

2. To enter, simply tell us "who or what at are you looking forward to the most at the 2025 Sydney Cat Lovers Festival?" 

3. Please note you MUST LIKE our Facebook page OR FOLLOW our Instagram page @australiandoglover to be eligible. We check!
4. You can only enter once (not both via Facebook and Instagram) or you will be disqualified.
5. Each extra person tagged in the Comments will earn the entrant an additional entry.

6. Tickets not claimed within 48 hours of announcement will be redrawn.

Join the Best Friends’ Walk: Help Over 72,000+ Homeless Pets Find Loving Homes

PetRescue - the Southern Hemisphere's largest animal adoption platform - has announced the return of its national community month-long fundraising event, Best Friends’ Walk, proudly supported by Bunnings. 

Taking place throughout the month of September 2025, the initiative invites Australians to walk with their best friends, whether two-legged or four, to raise funds and awareness for homeless pets across the country.

Now in its second year, Best Friends’ Walk is a nationwide movement encouraging individuals, families, schools and workplaces to participate in a month-long walking challenge to support vulnerable pets in need of safety, love and a second chance.

Demand for support is growing

In 2024, 72,467 pets were listed on the PetRescue platform, representing a 9.21% increase on the previous year. 

Phoebe loves her dog walks

Rising cost-of-living pressures, rental insecurity and a shortage of pet-friendly housing have contributed to a growing number of Australians being forced to surrender their pets, placing increased strain on rescue organisations and shelters nationwide.

The broader issue remains significant, with an estimated 100,000 healthy, rehomable pets being euthanised annually in council pounds and shelters across Australia. Many of these pets are never given the opportunity to find a new home and loving family.

While more than 150 pets find loving homes each day through PetRescue, at the same time, 274 healthy and adoptable pets lose their lives simply due to a lack of visibility.

A simple action with meaningful impact

The Best Friends’ Walk is more than a fitness challenge. It’s a chance for participants to help rewrite the story for pets in need. Approximately 69% of Australian households include at least one pet, this gives those families the opportunity to walk together in support of homeless pets across the country. 

Funds raised during the campaign will support PetRescue’s key preventative programs, including:

✔️ Operating Australia’s most visited digital pet adoption platform to connect homeless pets with potential adopters

✔️ Providing options and pathways alternative to surrendering, if possible, for that individual

✔️ Supporting hundreds of rescue organisations with access to key needs, including delivery of food, products, transport and emergency care services

PetRescue’s Managing Director and CEO, Patima Tantiprasut, said the walk highlights the recognition of the special bond between people and pets to drive real-world outcomes.

“What we’ve learned from our work at PetRescue is that the connection between people and pets is truly transformative and undeniably powerful,” said Tantiprasut. 

“With the growing number of pets needing homes, a community-and-pet-centred initiative like Best Friends’ Walk plays an increasingly important role in bringing people together for this vital cause. Together, we can build a future where every pet feels safe, respected and loved.”

The initiative has also gained support from industry experts who recognise the growing need for community-driven solutions.

Nell Thompson, Secretary of the Australian Institute of Animal Management, emphasised the critical timing of initiatives like Best Friends’ Walk:

“We see first-hand the challenges facing our sector and the genuine crisis in pet homelessness across Australia. What makes initiatives like Best Friends’ Walk so valuable is that they address multiple layers of this complex problem. Through our work, we know the issues go far beyond just finding homes - from housing affordability and rental restrictions to cost of living pressures forcing surrenders, to the need for emergency support and preventative programs. 

Community-driven events like this don’t just raise funds - they build these comprehensive support systems that tackle these root causes and save lives.”
Community partnerships making a difference

This community support is being amplified through key partnerships. Bunnings Head of Community, Partnerships and Events, Katie Hynes said:

“Bunnings is proud to support PetRescue’s Best Friends’ Walk for the second year running. Giving back is at the heart of what we do, and pets are a cherished part of so many Aussie households. This initiative is a meaningful way for our team and customers to come together and support a cause that makes a real difference in the lives of vulnerable pets,” said Katie.

How it works

Participants (and their best friends) can register online for free and set a personal walking goal for the month of September. Fundraising milestones unlock exclusive rewards, and all participants receive a digital welcome kit.

Whether walking around the block or exploring nature trails, the campaign encourages participants to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity while creating real change for pets in need.

To register or find out more, visit www.bestfriendswalk.com.au

About PetRescue

PetRescue is Australia’s leading digital adoption platform, connecting thousands of rescue pets with new homes every week. With over 5 million annual website visitors, the organisation supports rescue groups, shelters and local councils nationwide. PetRescue is committed to finding innovative, sustainable solutions to reduce pet homelessness and create a future where every pet is safe and loved.

For more information, visit www.petrescue.com.au.

MEDIA RELEASE, 11th July 2025

Return and Earn Container Refunds Help Save Rescue Cats

Donated container refunds are being put to good use by animal welfare charity Maggie’s Rescue to help abandoned cats and kittens.

Faced with an ever-growing number of animals needing care, the popular charity has set up a Return and Earn fundraiser to help pay for vet costs and desexing programs.

At any one time the no-kill rescue has between 80-100 cats and 50-60 dogs in care.

“Unfortunately, cats really do draw the short straw in terms of animal welfare,” said Maggie’s Rescue operations manager Lisa Brittain.

“There’s just so many of them and it’s a huge problem.”

“Our cats come from a mix of places. We take cats from pounds and shelters, sometime private surrenders and then people find homeless cats in their backyards who have had kittens.”

The charity began in 2011 and has so far rescued more than 2,000 animals.

Animals rescued by the charity are cared for across Sydney thanks to a network of dedicated foster carers.

So far recyclers have donated almost $6,000 in refunds from more than 59,000 containers to Maggie’s Cans for Cats Return and Earn campaign.

100% of donations will go help cover ongoing veterinary costs, community education and desexing programs to help stop the cycle of kittens born on the streets and find homes for those in need.
“All donations help and Return and Earn is a great way people can support us,” said Lisa.

“Their recycling helps us save animals and is good for the environment at the same time.” 

To donate, search for Maggie’s Rescue in the charity section of the Return and Earn app. 

To adopt a cat or dog from Maggie’s Rescue, visit the website: www.maggiesrescue.org

Ever wondered what your pet is really thinking?

Super Unleashed is a brand-new clothing line for pet lovers, offering a unique range of hoodies, babywear, sweats, and T-shirts that capture the humorous and often insightful "thoughts" of cats and dogs. 

What makes Super Unleashed stand out is its innovative approach: the brand claims to use AI-assisted technology to translate pet "thought-bubbles" into witty, wearable quotes.

The Genesis of Super Unleashed

Born from the everyday musings of two beloved pets, Chachi and Moxie, Super Unleashed officially launched in mid-2025. 

The brand's founders, clearly keen observers of their furry companions, were inspired by the often-hilarious and sometimes profound expressions they imagined their pets having. 

Chachi and Moxie, the brand's official (and adorable) ambassadors, are the very real-life inspirations behind the "pearls of wearable wisdom" adorning the apparel. “Using Super Unleashed’s patented AI Interpeter™ we’ve translated every Grrr and Purr to English!” says Moxie.

“Puppy School Dropout is my personal favourite” says Chachi.

“It exonerates my human from all kinds of misdemeanours down at the dog park.”

The idea was to create a way for pet owners to not only express their love for their animals but also to share in the imagined inner lives of their four-legged friends.

The Collection: A Voice for Every Pet

The Super Unleashed range caters to both cat lovers and dog lovers, with designs specifically tailored to each. You'll find a variety of items to choose from:

• Sweats: Comfortable and stylish, the sweats provide another canvas for these unique pet musings.

• Hoodies: Perfect for cosying up with your pet, these feature prominent and often comical pet quotes.

• Babywear: For the tiniest pet enthusiasts, the babywear collection offers adorable outfits adorned with charming pet-inspired sayings.

• T-shirts: A staple for any casual wardrobe, the T-shirts showcase a wide array of quotes, allowing you to pick the one that best resonates with your pet's personality – or your own!

Each item in the collection is emblazoned with quotes "straight from the cat's and dog’s mouth," reflecting the imagined inner dialogues of our beloved companions. 

Whether it's a cat's insightful commentary on naptime or a dog's profound realisation about squirrels, Super Unleashed aims to bring these silent observations to life in a fun and fashionable way.

Price & Where to Buy:

RRP: from $40.00 (Tee / Onesie) to $65.00 (Hoodie / Sweatshirt).

You can check out more of what our pets have to say at superunleashed.com 

Virtual Pet Food Drive Launched as Demand Reaches Record High

As freezing mornings sweep across Victoria, Pets Of The Homeless has launched a Virtual Pet Food Drive to feed the rising number of hungry pets living with people experiencing hardship and homelessness this winter.

The charity, which supports people doing it tough by providing pet food, emergency shelter, and veterinary care, has seen demand for its pet food service skyrocket. 

In just the first five months of 2025, over 278,000 meals have been distributed to their frontline food relief partners across Victoria—well above the entire year of 2020.

“The demand is the highest we’ve ever seen,” said Yvonne Hong, Founder and CEO of Pets Of The Homeless. 

“We’re now delivering up to 76,000 meals a month. Shelves are emptying as fast as we can fill them. We urgently need the community’s help to keep up.”

The charity has helped a huge number of cats in need like Bella and Max, whose family were forced to flee a violent home. The beloved kitties were placed in a foster home with food and veterinary care provided until their family secured a safe home for them all.

To help more families and pets like Bella and Max, the charity is calling on the public to support its Virtual Pet Food Drive and help reach its goal of delivering an extra 100,000 meals this winter. 

Donations are now being doubled thanks to generous matching support from Apex Steel Group, EVL Holdings, and Metorik, who will match every gift up to $25,000 until 30 June.

“Now’s the time to act,” said Yvonne. 

“Every bag, tin or cart of pet food you buy online will be matched, having twice the impact and bringing warmth and hope to someone facing their hardest winter yet.”

To fill your virtual cart and help pets doing it tough, visit: petsofthehomeless.au/feedpets

Give Your Cat a Thriving Indoor Life and Protect our Australian Wildlife

Cats only need a cosy indoor environment, not wide-open spaces!

Behaviour specialists agree: two kittens and a substantial cat tree create a healthy, engaging home where cats can thrive without ever needing to roam outdoors.

“Many cat professionals will confirm that having two kittens, plenty of perch positions and a good scratching post is more than enough to enrich your cats’ lives,” Crighton says. 

“This, alongside dedicated play time and plenty of snuggles, will keep them safe and happy. With a little creativity and love, even single kitten and cat homes can be purr-fectly content living indoors.”

Indoor life reduces risk from traffic, predators, and disease.

Additionally, it protects our biodiversity, as roaming cats cause the deaths of millions of native wildlife species annually in Australia. It’s a win-win for pets and parks. Sadly, it is the pressure on Australia’s precious wildlife that cats pose that leaves a lasting negative impact on all of our feline friends.

“The message is clear for those considering welcoming a friendly feline into their lives, but are torn between the outdoor freedom – the fact is cats do not need to have free access to roam outdoors to live happy, carefree lives,” Crighton suggests. 

“If you want your cat to explore the great outdoors, consider training them on a harness to walk on a leash, or invest in constructing a cat enclosure for safe outdoor time.”

The statistics are rather shocking. According to the National Environmental Science Programme and the Science for Saving Species factsheet*3, pet cats that are allowed to roam and hunt are estimated to kill an additional 390 million mammals, birds, and reptiles each year.

“For many cat lovers, these types of findings can be evidence of the importance of considering keeping your cats and kittens indoors for life.”

Awareness Around Costs & Insurance Claims

According to PetSure’s Pet Health Monitor 2025**, these are the top cat health conditions and average treatment costs:

1. Gastrointestinal issues – Avg $903 (up to $26,987)

2. Urinary tract disorders – Avg $1,459 (up to $38,769)

3. Skin Infections/Allergies – Avg $470 (up to $21,343)

Despite these risks, many cats, whether indoor or outdoor dwellers, are significantly underinsured, leaving their owners unprepared for costly veterinary visits in emergencies.

“Even indoor cats can suffer injuries,” Crighton says. “I know of this personally as my precious indoor Siamese broke her leg falling from a window shelf and getting caught in the blind to the tune of $4,000. Like most Australian cat owners, I was not insured at the time, and this took a rather big hit financially and emotionally.”

The Indoor Cat Facts

Keeping cats indoors saves lives—both for our feline family and native wildlife. It reduces disease, extends cat longevity, so let's debunk the myth of indoor boredom! With the correct setup, you cat's indoor life can be fulfilling, safe, and enriched.

• Extended Lifespan: Studies from the University of California-Davis state that indoor cats have a lifespan of 15 to 17 years, while the life expectancy of an outdoor cat ranges between 2 and 5 years.

• Safety and Reduced Risk: An international study of cat owners found that road traffic accidents were the primary concern for owners of indoor-only cats in all surveyed regions and one of the main reasons they chose to keep their cats indoors.

• Behavioural Enrichment Prevents Boredom: Behavioural research on indoor cats has proven that a stimulating environment helps them satisfy their natural instincts, keeps their minds sharp, and prevents behavioural issues caused by boredom and frustration.

• Indoor Happiness Matches Outdoor: 

The Animal Humane Society showed that when pet parents enrich their indoor cats’ lives correctly, all cats can still express natural behaviours like scratching, chewing, and toileting. 
Without the right outlets, however, such as scratching posts, chew-safe toys, and clean litter areas, they can develop health or behavioural issues.

“The key to avoiding behavioural issues in indoor cats is creating the right environment,” Crighton says. 

“It’s not just about keeping your cat inside—it’s about bringing the outside world in. With a little creativity, you can give your cat all the joy, stimulation, and enrichment they would find outdoors—without the risks.”

Top Benefits of Indoor Living for Cats

✔️ Safer, Healthier Lives: Indoor cats avoid traffic accidents, fights with other animals, exposure to toxins, and diseases, given that outdoor roaming exposes them to parasites and pathogens.

✔️ Improved Longevity: Indoor-only cats typically live 12–15 years, compared to 5–7 years for outdoor cats.


✔️ Wildlife Protection: A parliamentary report estimates that Australia’s pet cats are responsible for killing up to 390 million native animals each year.

✔️ Reduced Disease Risk: Indoor cats have far lower risk of feline infectious diseases.

✔️ Myth Busting: Indoor Boredom: Well-enriched indoor cats are just as mentally stimulated as outdoor cats.

“The majority of cat lovers are unaware of the exact impact their outdoor-loving cats can pose to our natural wildlife,” Crighton says. 

“Over the years, cats have been seen as the ‘easier’ option for pet ownership, as they are much more self-efficient at entertaining and feeding themselves; however, this notion needs to change. Cats can live wonderful indoor lives – and also keep the majority of that independence without the need of a cat flap.”

References:

*1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7316254
*2 https://www.zoetispetcare.com/benefits-of-pets
*3 https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/media/eeufmpqx/112-the-impact-of-cats-in-australia-findings-factsheetweb.pdf
** https://petsure.com.au/pet-health-monitor

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