It's not hard to be a responsible animal owner, in fact it is usually just plain common sense.  To help you be a responsible animal owner the following check list is provided.

At all times you should be aware of the basic welfare and needs of your animal providing -

• adequate food supply;
• opportunity for exercise;
• proper training;
• clean living conditions; and
• appropriate security.

Detailed information regarding animal welfare matters can be readily obtained from your local Veterinarian, the RSPCA and animal breeders.

You are responsible for the behaviour of your animal, remember bad practices create bad habits.  Train your animal correctly, provide regular exercise and ensure that your animal:

• remains under effective control at all times;
• does not create a nuisance or disturb the peace;
• is not allowed to or put in a position where it can destroy property; and
• remains on your property when you are not with it.

Ensure that your animal is properly confined by adequate fencing and tethering (as appropriate).

Ensure protection from possible predators by other animals or escape onto roadways.  Additional information on appropriate methods of animal confinement are available from your local Veterinarian, Breed Societies or the Council's Animal Control Officer.

For the well being of your animal you should ensure that tethering is only used as a temporary measure or a last resort when no other means is available for confining the animal to your property.

It is stressed that tethering must only be used as a means of confinement where constant supervision and care is not available.  Additional advice on appropriate methods of confinement may be obtained from your local Veterinarian or Council's Animal Control Officer.

Ensure that your animals are neutered unless they are specifically kept for licenced breeding purposes or neutering of the animal would be detrimental to its health, in which case the animal should always be confined to your property.

Remember a responsible animal owner provides his or her animal with:

• good nutrition;
• vaccinations;
• preventative health needs;
• birth control;
• health needs when sick or injured;
• training classes and behaviour problems; and
• most importantly LOVES their animal.

The RSPCA, other Animal Welfare Groups, Breed Societies or your local Veterinarian can provide detailed advice in relation to unwanted animals or animals that cannot be kept.

Owning a Dog:

As a responsible dog owner ensure that you comply with the law, for the well being of your dog by:

• ensuring you choose a dog appropriate to your circumstances and the environment in which they will live;
• keeping your dog under effective control (or on a leash) and supervised at all times;
• preventing your dog from roaming outside your property and trespassing on private or public land reserves or roadways;
• removing all faeces from a public place or from any private property, which is not owned by the person in control of the dog and dispose of it in a proper and lawful manner,
• hus avoiding an on-the-spot fine;
• ensuring that your dog does not cause nuisance to wildlife, domestic animals or people; particularly in relation to noise, physical threat or attack; to avoid litigation and on-the-spot fines;
• keeping only desexed animals unless specifically kept for breeding or neutering of the animal would be detrimental to its health; in which case the animal should always be under effective control or confined to your property;
• providing adequate veterinary attention of your dog(s) as required;
• exercising your dog off the leash only within the specified 'dog exercise areas', those being South Burnie Beach (east of the Yacht Club bund wall and to the Emu River, Beach frontage area north of the ex-Tioxide site, and Cooee Creek Beach (from Saleyards to Cooee Creek).
• The initial outlay involved in having your dog desexed can be saved within two years by reduced Dog Licence fees offered by Council.

Owning a Cat:

As a responsible cat owner ensure that you comply with the law and for the well being of your cat by:

• ensuring that they choose a cat appropriate to your circumstances and the environment within which you live;
• to protect the peace of the district and the welfare of the cat;
• ensuring that your cat is under effective control and supervision at all times, which includes preventing the cat from roaming outside your property and trespassing on private or public land reserves or roadways;
• to protect residents amenity, other animals and to avoid vehicle accidents;
• taking reasonable steps to ensure your cat is under effective control and supervision with particular emphasis on restricting the cat from National Parks, Reserved land and roadways;
• esuring that their cat does not cause nuisance to wildlife, domestic animals or people's total amenity;
  keeping only de-sexed cats unless specifically kept for breeding or neutering of the animal would be detrimental to its health; in which case the animal should always be confined to the owner's property to assist with controlling unwanted populations of stray and feral cats;
• providing training and other education for your cat if practical to assist with avoiding nuisance and to maintain control; and
• providing adequate veterinary attention to each case as required.