Snakes Alive!

Now that spring has well and truly arrived, people living in the bush capital may find themself face to face with some of Canberra’s other residents – snakes. Snakes like to bask in the sun and may seek out water in suburban backyards on hot days.

 

Snakes do not like busy areas, so if you see a snake in your yard, remember that it is most likely just passing through. Snakes will not hurt you if you leave them alone. Keep children and pets indoors until the snake has moved on. If the snake does not move on within a few hours then please contact Canberra Nature Park Rangers through Canberra Connect on 132281 for advice.

Large lizards such as bluetongues are very common in suburban Canberra, and most suburban gardens will either have resident lizards or frequent visits. They are non-venomous and not dangerous. They are particularly vulnerable to dog attacks or mishandling by children or adults resulting in their injury. Please contact RSPCA on 1300 4 77722 if you find an injured lizard.

Some important things to remember:

·         Assume that any snake you come across is venomous.

·         Under no circumstances should you chase or attempt to handle or relocate a snake. If the snake is indoors please contact Canberra Nature Park Rangers for advice.

·         Under no circumstances should you injure or kill a snake. All reptiles are protected and it is against the law to kill or injure them.

·         The vast majority of snakebites in Australia (over 95%) occur when people attempt to kill a snake and the snake defends itself.

·         Injured snakes may pose a serious danger to humans as they can be aggressive and may be venomous.

You can read more about living with snakes in the ACT on the Territory and Municipal Services website.

Monotone Monotreme

Last week RSPCA ACT was lucky enough to take part in the release of a beautiful albino echidna that had been in our care. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Casper’ was found near an extremely busy road, so we sought permission to release him at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve—a much safer environment. RSPCA ACT wishes to thank ACT government rangers, staff at TAMS as well as staff at Tidbinbilla for facilitating the successful release of this beautiful creature.

Echidnas can live for up to 50 years in the wild, so we wish this little fellow a long and happy life!

Read more about Casper before his release here, and after his release here.

Watch the Win Television news segment here.

Casper is but one of 3,000 native animals we care for each year in the nation’s capital. If you would like to assist us with our life saving work protecting and rehabilitating animals such as Casper please donate today.

Sit. Stay. Good dog!

What is temperament testing and why do we do it?

Dogs at RSPCA ACT undergo comprehensive behaviour testing before being made available for adoption. We test dogs to learn about their temperament and personality so that we are better able to match them to a suitable family.

The types of traits that we test are: sociability; touch; vet checks; toys and play; food treasures; strangers; toddlers (with a dummy, not real toddlers!); mental sensitivity; other dogs; containment; and previous training. We also collect detailed information from previous owners wherever possible.

If we identify any behavioural issues that need addressing, our qualified and experienced staff develop a behaviour modification program which is implemented by trained staff and volunteers. Behaviour modification programs could include issues such as basic manners and walking nicely on lead, to rebuilding confidence and addressing problem behaviours.

After several days of training, we will retest the dog. If the dogs fails the test again, but has shown improvement, we will continue the cycle of training and testing until we believe the dog can be made available for adoption. If there is no improvement or the behaviour could result in harm to either a person or another animal then the dog will not be made available for adoption.

A dog never fails a temperament test for just being boisterous or ill-mannered as these are training issues (not temperament issues) which our team works with and improves. A dog doesn't have to be perfect to find a new home, but we need to learn what we can about their behaviour to find the perfect home for them. We understand that the shelter environment can be stressful for some dogs and we of course take this into account during testing.

While dogs are staying with us at RSPCA ACT, we are committed to keeping dogs mentally healthy through physical stimulation and the use of environmental enrichments.

Congratulations to Frances, our Senior Behavioural Trainer, on being awarded Shelter Worker of the Year by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Fully Fledged

It’s almost that time of year when baby birds will be out of their nests and learning how to fly. Here’s what to do if you spot a baby bird on the ground:

Firstly, is the bird a nestling or a fledgling? 

Nestlings may not be fully feathered and are not ready to learn to fly. They may have accidently been knocked or blown out of their nest. They need to be lifted off the ground out of harm’s way and placed in a temporary nest like an ice cream container. The little bird’s parents should be nearby, but if the baby is left alone for a full day, please bring the bird to RSPCA.

Magpie nestling

If the bird is a fledgling, he will be able to stand up. He may be very wobbly, but he will be trying his hardest! This is the easiest way to tell the difference between a nestling and a fledgling. The fledgling’s parents should be nearby watching over him or getting food for him.

Magpie fledgling

 

If the fledgling is in immediate danger from pets or children you can lift him off the ground into a temporary nest, otherwise you can leave him where he is. If you don’t see his parents return within a day you can bring him to RSPCA. If you try to pick him up and larger birds start swooping you, pop him back on the ground, because it is most likely his parents letting you know they are there.

If any bird is obviously injured, pick him up and bring him to RSPCA straight away. When he is healed we will release him where you found him.

Please try your hardest to ensure that baby birds remain with their parents, as they can teach them the life skills they need to grow and flourish in the wild. Humans simply can’t offer this kind of guidance!

If you have any questions about the welfare of a native animal you can contact us during business hours seven days a week on 6287 8100 or after hours (wildlife only) on 0413 495 031.

You can learn more about wildlife first aid here.

Nest Intentions

The sun is shining, trees are budding, blossoms are blooming, and rogue magpies have started swooping!

Magpies swoop during breeding season because they are trying to protect their nests, eggs or young from intruders. This behaviour is completely natural and only lasts for a few weeks.

There are a number of measures you can take to protect yourself, your children and your pets from swooping birds. Please visit the Territory and Municipal Services website for more information.

It is extremely important that you do not pick up a fledgling magpie (one who has just left the nest) unless they are obviously injured or in imminent danger. These babies are learning to fly and their parents are usually nearby watching over them.

Not all magpies will swoop. Harassment by humans causes some magpies to start swooping, so please do not chase them or throw things at them. Please remember that magpies, like most native animals, are protected in the ACT. 

If you are concerned by a magpie that appears particularly aggressive, or would like a warning sign erected in your neighbourhood, please contact the ACT Parks and Conservation Service on 13 22 81.

Devoted to Dooley

Dooley the four year old Kelpie cross first came to us for emergency boarding when his beloved owner was hospitalised. Without his owner having a support network, RSPCA ACT stepped in and helped Dooley in his time of crisis. 

Dooley’s owner had been present at his birth, and had saved the little pup’s life after complications arose. They had an incredible bond, and without our help, his owner would have been forced to surrender him upon entering hospital.

RSPCA ACT inspectors regularly took Dooley to visit his owner at the hospital, and these visits were incredibly special. If you have a pet, you will know what sort of effect their presence can have when you are unwell or alone.

We had every intention of reuniting Dooley with his owner once he was well. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse, and Dooley's owner passed away after a long illness.

Dooley was adopted in June, a very long time after entering our care. All the staff at RSPCA ACT will miss him, but we are so happy that he has found his new forever home.

RSPCA ACT offers a range of holistic programs and by helping animals, we are helping people in times of crisis. Help us help them by donating to our pet support program https://www.thankq.net.au/donate/V227/Donate1.aspx?ref=4876565676083828&pid=6

Give me shelter

Animals come to RSPCA for many reasons, and one of the saddest reasons is that an animal needs to take refuge with us to escape a violent household.

A study* conducted by Monash University in 2008 revealed shocking figures in relation to domestic violence and animal abuse including: 

•  1 in 3 women delayed leaving a violent domestic situation for fear that their pets would be harmed
• 53% of women in violent relationships reported that their pets had also been abused
• Children were witness to the abuse in 29% of cases
• Pets were killed in 17% of households where there is family violence

It can be extremely difficult for those wishing to escape a violent household to actually leave, as refuges and hotels do not accept animals. Victims of abuse are faced with the heartbreaking decision to remain in the situation and continue to suffer, or leave their beloved pets behind and in mortal danger.

RSPCA ACT has a program in place called Pet Support. In desperate situations we remove the animals from the household to allow those suffering from domestic violence the freedom to escape - to start again. We care for these animals and keep them safe until their family is back on their feet and ready to welcome their pets back into their home. 

Treasured pets can sometimes be the glue that holds a family together. In times of upheaval their very presence can provide love, comfort and security for adults and children alike.

We believe that like humans, animals should be able to access a safe bed and afforded the opportunity to escape abuse. We provide the love and care that an animal needs while they are away from their family. We support victims of domestic violence by keeping their loved one safe.

Please donate to our Pet Support program today to ensure we can continue to provide refuge for those in need.

*Volant, A. M., Johnson, J. A.,Gullone, E., Coleman, G. J. (2008). The relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse: An Australian study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 1277-1295.