If you’re planning to stay in Australia long-term, you might begin to consider whether you’re ready to adopt a pet. Amidst the travelling, studying, adventuring, and other responsibilities that come with being an international student, it’s essential to remember that pet ownership comes with its own set of responsibilities.
Here are some things to consider before adopting a new friend:
Costs
On top of your travel and living expenses, it’s important to factor in both the upfront costs (microchipping, desexing, registration) and the ongoing costs (food, boarding, healthcare, veterinarian visits).
Upfront costs:
- Microchipping: Ensures your pet can be identified if lost.
- Desexing: Helps control the pet population and can prevent health issues.
- Registration: Required by local councils and varies by region.
Ongoing costs:
- Food: Quality pet food is essential for your pet’s health.
- Healthcare: Regular check-ups and vaccinations.
- Boarding: Costs if you need to travel without your pet.
Time
Most pets require nurturing, grooming, and constant care. Reflect on your schedule:
- Work hours: How often do you work?
- Social life: Do you enjoy staying out late?
- Commitment duration: How long will you be staying in Australia, and what will happen to your pet if you decide to leave?
Space
Consider your living situation:
- Exercise needs: Will your pet need daily walks?
- Living space: Is a small fishbowl enough, or will you need a fully enclosed backyard?
- Housing restrictions: Discuss pet policies with your landlord before adopting.
Can I have a pet in a rental?
Renting with pets in Australia varies by state and territory. Here’s a breakdown of the current regulations:
- New South Wales (NSW): Landlords can refuse pet requests without giving a reason. Tenants must seek written consent from their landlord before keeping a pet.
- Victoria (VIC): Tenants can request to keep a pet, and landlords must seek permission from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to refuse. The process favours tenants wanting to keep pets.
- Queensland (QLD): Landlords can include a “no pets” clause in the lease agreement. Tenants can negotiate with landlords but require written consent.
- South Australia (SA): New laws now allow tenants to have a pet. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet. Tenants must still inform landlords and comply with any reasonable conditions.
- Western Australia (WA): New laws allow pets in rentals with landlord permission via an approved form. Refusals require legal grounds or a ‘good reason’ proven to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection.
- Tasmania (TAS): Landlords have the right to refuse pets in rental properties. Written consent from the landlord is required.
- Northern Territory (NT): A tenant can keep any pet at the premises as long as it is not restricted or prohibited and is suitable for the property’s nature and features.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): A tenant can write to a landlord to ask for consent to keep a pet at the rental property. If a landlord refuses, they need to apply to ACAT for approval to do so.
Landlords are not allowed to tell a tenant that they cannot keep an assistance animal (Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992).
Alternatives to pet ownership
Sometimes, despite your best intentions, you’re not in a position to commit to caring for a lifelong pet. However, you don’t have to miss out entirely!
Dog-sharing services
Consider borrowing a furry friend for the day. Services like Dogshare, Lend a Pet, and Pawshake connect local dog owners with potential pet-sitters who want to walk, play with or host a dog.
Start a dog-walking business
Setting up a local dog-walking business is a fun way to meet neighbourhood dogs while making extra cash.
Become an animal foster carer
Foster care programs, run by organisations like PetRescue and the RSPCA, rely on volunteers to temporarily house and rehabilitate vulnerable pets in need.
Check out:
- RSPCA Foster Care NSW
- RSPCA Foster Care Victoria
- RSPCA Foster Care Queensland
- RSPCA Foster Care South Australia
- RSPCA Foster Care Western Australia
- RSPCA Foster Care ACT
- RSPCA Foster Care Darwin
- RSPCA Foster Care Tasmania
Raise a guide dog puppy
Guide Dogs Australia offers opportunities to become full-time or temporary foster carers to guide dog puppies in training. These puppies have strict training schedules, so check if you meet the guidelines before applying.
Check out:
- Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
- Guide Dogs Victoria
- Guide Dogs Queensland
- Guide Dogs WA
- Guide Dogs SA/NT
- Guide Dogs Tasmania
Volunteer at local shelters
Volunteering at local shelters to help re-home animals is a rewarding way to form relationships with animals and pet lovers in your community. Many shelters, like DoggieRescue in NSW, offer foster programs.
Assist the elderly
Assist an elderly person in caring for their pet by joining a pet-care charity service like the LinkPETS program.
So, should I get a pet?
Ultimately, it’s best to do your research. Think carefully about what kind of animal will best suit your lifestyle. Happy pets make happy owners!
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