Important things to consider before purchasing a pet
Buying from animal shelters
Further information
Top ten pet breeds
Relevant information
There are many known benefits to pet ownership, including social and health benefits to all groups in the community. Pet ownership can provide rewarding companionship to many people including the elderly, single and disabled members of the community. They also provide great family friends.
Important things to consider before purchasing a pet
- Do you have time to care for your pet?
- Do you work long hours?
- Will you be able to walk a dog?
- Is the type of pet you’re considering suitable for the place you live in?
Did you know...
Dogs and cats can live up to 18 years.
- Will you be able to keep the animal for its entire life?
- Do you have any future life plans that will leave a pet you choose homeless?
Certain pets need room to move and stimulation. Keeping some animals in small apartments or balconies is simply cruel and can cause great stress and unhappiness for animals.
There are thousands of relinquished and homeless cats and dogs that have to be euthanised every year because owners did not carefully consider purchasing their pets.
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Buying from animal shelters
The City of Melbourne initiative to help re-home abandoned and relinquished animals, is to provide free first year registration for cats and dogs purchased from animal shelters.
There are many wonderful dogs and cats looking for homes in shelters across Victoria and purchasing an animal from one will potentially save a life.
Animal shelters are generally dedicated to helping you choose a pet that is right for you and match you with pet personalities and temperament.
Animal shelter contact details
The Lost Dogs' Home
2 Gracie Street
North Melbourne 3051
Phone: (03) 9329 2755
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
24 Villiers St, North Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9328 3021
Fax: (03) 9329 5347
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Top ten pet breeds
Top ten breeds of cats in Melbourne as at March 2010
| Cat breed |
Total in City of Melbourne |
| Domestic short hair |
1084 |
| Domestic medium and long hair |
200 |
| Burmese and Burmese cross |
120 |
| Siamese |
25 |
| British Short Hair |
24 |
| Ragdoll |
23 |
| Russian Blue |
21 |
| Tokenise |
14 |
| Burman |
13 |
| Abyssinian |
11 |
| Other |
129 |
| Total |
1164 |
Top ten breeds of dogs in Melbourne as at March 2010
| Dog breed |
Total in City of Melbourne |
| Maltese Terrier and Maltese cross |
317 |
| Jack Russell Terrier and Jack Russell Cross (66) |
186 |
| Shih Tzu |
76 |
| Terrier Cross |
65 |
| Golden Retriever |
61 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
59 |
| Poodle |
59 |
| Pomeranian |
58 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
53 |
| West Highland Terrier |
53 |
| Other |
1673 |
| Total |
2660 |
Relevant information
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