Upload Your Favourite Kitty's Photo to Save Human Lives

It takes $39 to answer a life-saving phone call, $3,500 to train a single volunteer crisis supporter, and this August, purr-fect pussies across the region are stepping up to help cover the bill—one paw at a time.

Lifeline Loddon Mallee has officially launched its 2026 Lifeline Cat of the Year photo competition and fundraiser. Running throughout the month of August, the initiative turns the unconditional love and comfort we share with our feline friends into crucial support for Aussies doing it tough.

While the contest is light-hearted and fun, the financial reality for the local charity is serious.

Lifeline Loddon Mallee receives no direct federal government funding and relies on community generosity to cover 80% of its operating costs.

Last year alone, local volunteer crisis supporters answered more than 22,000 calls on the 13 11 14 national hotline from people experiencing anxiety, loneliness, relationship stress, and moments of acute crisis.

“The campaign celebrates the positive impact pets have on their owner’s mental health, while raising awareness and funds for Lifeline Loddon Mallee’s crisis support and suicide prevention services,” said Lifeline Loddon Mallee CEO Lisa Renato.

“We know there is a special bond between Aussies and their cats, so this is a fun and meaningful way for cat lovers to celebrate the quiet, healing presence of their furry family members while helping a great local cause.”

Top Cats Already Leading the Pack

Local kitties are already filing their "pawsome resumes" online to compete for the crown. Early contenders making waves include:

• Cleo: A gentle rescue Tabby currently ruling the leaderboard.
• Felix the Desk Cat: A local work-from-home companion and regular guest on local radio livestreams.
• Coco the Ragdoll: A floofy princess with attitude, charisma, and a serious swagger.
• Milo: A 10-year-old ginger tom whose favourite thing is soaking up the sun on the verandah and supervising his humans.

Rewards for Furry Fundraisers

Entries are completely free, and your cat doesn't even have to leave their favourite sunspot to make a difference. Owners simply register their kitty online, upload a favourite snap, share their fundraising profile, and collect tax-deductible donations (for amounts over $2) from friends, family, and fellow cat lovers.

To thank participants, Lifeline is offering fantastic milestone rewards:

✔ $100 Raised: Earns an exclusive, custom-engraved "Lifeline Superstar 2026" collar tag personalised with your cat's name.

✔ $250 Raised: Receives a bespoke, hand-crocheted miniature replica of your cat, complete with their very own miniature Lifeline Crisis Supporter headset.

✔ Top Fundraiser: The cat that collects the largest amount of donations will be officially crowned Lifeline Loddon Mallee Cat of the Year 2026 and win an exclusive custom portrait painted by renowned Bendigo artist Rhayven Jane.

In addition to phone support, Lifeline Loddon Mallee delivers practical skills across the region, including Mental Health First Aid, domestic violence awareness, and suicide prevention training.

How to Get Involved

Whether you have a cuddly couch potato or a feisty kitten, you can enter your cat's photo or back a local participant throughout August.

• Enter or Donate: Visit the Lifeline Cat of the Year Competition Page or head to Lifeline Loddon Mallee Events.

• Follow on Facebook: Lifeline Loddon Mallee on Facebook

• Follow on Instagram: @lifelinecatoftheyear on Instagram

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. You don't have to face your toughest moments alone.

Mouse Surge Alert: How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Home Without Poisoning Your Cat

As mouse numbers swell across regional and suburban Australia, rodent populations are shifting away from agricultural paddocks and heading indoors in search of warmth and shelter. While cat owners often rely on their feline companion's natural hunting skills to deal with unwanted pests, pest management during a rodent spike carries a critical, potentially lethal threat: traditional rat and mouse poisons.

With CSIRO forecasts indicating elevated rodent activity across Australia's grain belts and surrounding regions, pet health experts and veterinarians are issuing an urgent warning to feline owners about the extreme dangers of chemical rodent baits.

The Silent Threat: Secondary Poisoning in Felines

According to the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline, rodenticide toxicity is the most common poison call received by their service from pet owners nationwide.

While dogs often ingest bait blocks directly out of curiosity, cats face a different—and equally dangerous—pathway: secondary toxicity.

"Because cats are natural predators, they are drawn to slow-moving or dying rodents," explains Craig Bond, founder of B Corp-certified pest control company Goodnature.

“If a cat catches or consumes a mouse that has eaten chemical bait, the toxins pass straight into the cat's system.”

Most commercial baits use Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), which prevent blood from clotting normally. Because these chemicals take days to kill a rodent, an affected mouse will wander around weak and easy to catch.

Crucially, a cat exposed to SGARs may show zero external symptoms for 3 to 5 days while internal bleeding begins. Emergency veterinary treatment for rodenticide toxicity can easily run into thousands of dollars, making prevention vital.

2026 APVMA Regulatory Changes: What Cat Owners Need to Know

The hazard to pets and local wildlife has prompted regulatory action. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has restricted consumer access to SGARs across Australia.

Because these heavy toxins remain active in animal tissue for extended periods, they pose severe secondary-poisoning risks not only to domestic cats and dogs, but also to native nocturnal predators like Barn Owls, Tawny Frogmouths, and Quolls. New nationwide restrictions aim to phase out unregulated over-the-counter sales of heavy chemical baits.

Why Mice Move Indoors (And 4 Signs Your Cat Has Spotted Them)

Dropping outdoor temperatures force mice out of drying fields and into quiet indoor spaces like subfloors, ceiling cavities, and garages.

“A drop in paddock numbers doesn't mean the mice have vanished — it means they've moved closer to human food sources,” notes Adam Cording, CEO of Goodnature.

"Mice breed at a staggering rate, so catching an invasion early is key."

Feline behaviour is often your first warning sign:

✔ Fixated Staring: Your cat sits motionless, staring intently at baseboards, kickboards, or underneath kitchen appliances.

✔ Pawing at Cavities: Scratching or pawing at tiny gaps under internal doors or built-in wardrobes.

✔ Restlessness at Night: Increased nocturnal alertness, pupil dilation, or pacing near wall cavities where mice scurry.

✔ Physical Evidence: Small dark droppings in pantries, chewed cardboard, or faint musky odours along skirting boards.

6 Cat-Safe Steps to Rodent-Proof Your Home

To keep your cat safe from secondary poisoning while eradicating mice effectively, adopt a non-toxic defence strategy:

1. Adopt Toxin-Free Trapping: Replace chemical baits with mechanical or automatic non-toxic traps.
2. Protect Curious Paws: Ensure any snap or mechanical traps are placed inside enclosed safety boxes or high areas inaccessible to cats.
3. Secure All Cat Food: Store kibble, treats, and wet food tins in heavy-duty glass or plastic containers. Never leave cat food out overnight, as even tiny leftover morsels sustain mice.
4. Seal Entry Points: Mice can squeeze through openings the width of a pencil. Seal subfloor vents, pipe penetrations, and door gaps with steel wool and heavy sealant.
5. Clear Indoor Clutter: Move stacked boxes, old paper, and storage containers off garage and shed floors where mice like to harbour and nest.
6. Keep Cats Indoors During Surges: Keeping your cat inside prevents them from catching outdoor rodents that may have ingested bait placed by neighbours.

Non-Toxic Alternatives: The Goodnature Solution

For cat owners seeking a completely safe, chemical-free pest control option, modern automatic trapping systems offer a reliable answer.

Established in 2005, Goodnature is a global leader in non-toxic pest management and the world’s first B Corp-certified pest control company. Trusted by conservation organisations like Predator Free 2050 and the United Nations Development Programme, Goodnature traps are used in over 60 countries.

Their home-focused Goodnature Mouse Trap uses a toxin-free, bio-based lure combined with an automated, self-resetting mechanism. Because no chemicals are used, any mouse caught presents zero secondary-poisoning risk to your cat, dog, or native birds.

Goodnature self-resetting, toxin-free traps and starter kits are available at Bunnings stores across Australia and online at goodnature.co.nz/au-en.

🚨 Emergency First Aid: If You Suspect Rodent Poisoning

If you suspect your cat has ingested rat bait or eaten a poisoned mouse:

• Act Immediately: Do not wait for symptoms (pale gums, lethargy, blood in stool, or sudden weakness) to appear.
• Call for Guidance: Contact your vet or call the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
• Identify the Active Ingredient: If possible, take a photo of the bait packaging or chemical name so your vet can quickly administer the correct antidote (such as Vitamin K1).

Stress-Free Feline Travel: Tavo’s Crash-Tested Car Seats and Carriers Launch at Petbarn

Whether it is the annual trip to the local vet clinic, a house move across town, or an extended road trip getaway, travelling with cats presents a unique set of challenges for Australian pet parents.

Unlike dogs, most felines prefer familiar surroundings, and an unsecured plastic crate sliding across the back seat or a flimsy fabric bag can turn a routine car ride into a deeply stressful ordeal for both you and your pet.

Enter Tavo Pets, a premium pet travel brand engineered specifically to eliminate the anxiety, instability, and safety risks associated with pet transport. Created by the expert engineering team behind world-renowned nursery brand Nuna, Tavo brings juvenile-grade crash testing, European safety design, and luxury materials directly into the Australian pet market.

The fantastic news for Australian cat lovers? Tavo’s flagship collection has officially landed at Petbarn, making its high-performance, crash-tested travel gear accessible online and across selected retail stores nationwide.

The Hidden Risks of Unsecured Cat Travel

For cats, motion sensitivity and travel anxiety are frequently triggered by vehicle instability. A traditional carrier placed loosely on a rear seat can slide, tilt, or shift during sudden braking or sharp turns. Beyond the immediate emotional distress caused to your cat, an unrestrained carrier poses a major road safety hazard.

Road safety data reveals a sobering truth: in a collision at just 50 km/h, an unsecured pet or carrier can be thrown forward with an impact force equal to 30 to 60 times its own body weight. Securing your feline companion in a crash-tested, ISOFIX-anchored system guarantees their physical safety while keeping your attention safely focused on the road ahead.

Cats thrive on routine and feeling secure. By applying the exact same rigorous crash-testing standards used for child safety seats, Tavo ensures felines enjoy a calm, cushioned, and anchored environment during every journey.

Why Touch & Try In-Store at Petbarn Matters for Cat Parents

Selecting a carrier that your cat feels safe inside—and one that installs seamlessly into your specific vehicle—can be difficult to gauge online. Having Tavo’s range on display in selected Petbarn stores allows cat owners to bring their measurements in, evaluate dimensions, and experience the tactile luxury of the build quality first-hand.

In-store displays give cat parents the opportunity to practice clicking the carriers into ISOFIX vehicle bases, test the smooth glide of the stroller frames, and inspect the quiet, magnetic closures that prevent startling sensitive feline ears.

The Tavo Launch Collection: Built for Feline Travellers

Every carrier in the Tavo line-up is evaluated against stringent United Nations ECE child restraint safety standards. To ensure optimal comfort and safety, Tavo incorporates energy-absorbing Tailor tech™ memory foam, high-density EPP foam surrounds, GREENGUARD Gold Certified fabrics, and naturally flame-resistant materials that are entirely free from harsh chemical fire retardants.

1. Maeve™ 3-in-1 Pet Protection System (RRP $749)

The flagship Maeve is a multi-functional travel ecosystem designed to function as a crash-tested car seat, cosy home-away-from-home bed, and luxury stroller pod.

It snaps directly into an included True Lock™ ISOFIX vehicle base equipped with an energy-absorbing floor stability leg, eliminating the sudden tilt and wobble that triggers feline travel sickness. When you arrive at your destination, a quick-release button connects the carrier smoothly onto the lightweight Roscoe Stroller frame (RRP $499).

✔ Feline-Friendly Highlights: Structural UPF 50+ canopy featuring MagneTech secure snap™ buckles (avoiding noisy Velcro that can alarm jumpy cats), side impact protection (SIP) guards, two internal safety tethers, and removable, machine-washable mattress pads with eco-friendly antimicrobial liners.

✔ Sizing Options: Small Flex (up to 9kg), Medium Flex (up to 11kg), and Medium Rigid (up to 13.6kg).

2. Dupree™ II Airline Carry-On Pet Car Seat (RRP $449)

Engineered for frequent flyers and urban commuters, the compact Dupree II bridges the gap between road and sky.

Designed to meet major airline cabin carry-on dimensions, it transitions effortlessly from an ISOFIX-secured backseat carrier to an under-seat plane carrier. It features built-in rigid ISOFIX latches for fast, secure vehicle installation without needing a separate base board.

✔ Feline-Friendly Highlights: Magnetic roll-down privacy panels allow you to block out scary visual triggers in vet waiting rooms or busy terminals, heavy-duty locking zippers stop clever escape artists from opening mesh panels, and a rear trolley sleeve slides neatly over rolling luggage handles.

✔ Weight Capacity: Compact profile designed for pets up to 9kg.

3. Crispin™ Impact-Tested Pet Crate (RRP $749)

If you share your home with larger feline breeds (such as Maine Coons or Ragdolls) or need to transport multiple cats safely together, the spacious Crispin Crate delivers a heavy-duty sanctuary.

Rather than an ISOFIX base, it utilises integrated push-on lower anchor connectors and a top tether that connect directly into your vehicle’s seat anchor points.

Though pictured here with a canine passenger, its generous interior dimensions make it an outstanding choice for multi-cat families.

✔ Feline-Friendly Highlights: Generous mesh windows for excellent cross-ventilation, a space-saving collapsible frame for easy storage, hidden zipper pockets for anchor straps, and an included protective travel carry bag. 

✔ Sizing Options: Small (up to 22.7kg), Medium (up to 24.9kg), and Large (up to 27.2kg).

Where to Find Tavo in Australia

The entire Tavo Pets launch collection is available now to view online at Petbarn Online and at selected Petbarn retail stores across Australia.