Thinking about a pet for Christmas? Think hard!

With the countdown to Christmas well and truly underway, cat-loving Wollongong councillor Andrew Anthony is encouraging locals to think carefully before bringing a new pet into the family this festive season.

“As Christmas approaches, many people consider buying a pet,” Cr Anthony said. “A pet can be a wonderful addition to a family. They can bring joy, love and companionship but they're not toys and they don’t always make good presents. Welcoming an animal into your home is a long-term commitment and it should be a decision the whole family makes together.”

Wollongong Council's recent quarterly report bore out the concerns raised by Cr Anthony.

"Council’s Animal Care and Impounding Service continued to manage the needs of lost, stray and surrendered animals. A total of 147 cats and 88 dogs were impounded during the quarter," the Council report said.

"Strong rehoming results were achieved, with 136 animals adopted into new homes and 164 placed into foster care, helping to reduce demand on facility space and support animal wellbeing. A further 24 animals were transferred to rehoming organisations following their impoundment period.

"The Foster Care Program continued to perform strongly, with more than 50 per cent of animals in care at times supported through foster homes rather than within the facility, reflecting growing community involvement and program capacity.

"Social media engagement also increased during the quarter, with the Wollongong Pet Connection Facebook page surpassing 2,400 followers, highlighting strong community interest and support for Council’s companion animal services."

At Council's November 17 meeting, Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown congratulated the team behind the program.

"The Australian Institute of Animal Management has presented the Animal Care and Impounding Services at Wollongong Council with the 2025 'excellence in innovation in animal management' [award]," the Lord Mayor said. "It was a national award to Corey Stoneham and the team … We're very proud of them."

On announcing the award last month, the institute said: "Wollongong has developed a virtual impound model, harnessing the power of foster care, private boarding, veterinary partnerships, and digital engagement. Their cost-neutral, sustainable solution has delivered measurable impact and redefined how animal care can be delivered."

Is your family ready for a pet?

Ahead of Christmas, Cr Anthony urged people to think about the practicalities of pet adoption:

• Do you have the space to keep a pet?
• Who will feed, walk, and train it?
• Are you prepared for challenges such as barking, scratching or pets being unsettled during storms and fireworks?
• Who will look after your pets when the family is away on holidays?

“Animals have feelings and personalities,” Cr Anthony said. “They can feel excited, playful, or lonely. They need time, love, care and patience.”

He also encouraged residents to consider adopting a rescue animal rather than buying from breeders.

“There are many pets in Wollongong who need loving homes. By choosing adoption, you can help reduce the demand for puppy farms and avoid the risks of online scams.” 

Cr Anthony also highlighted the importance of caring for local wildlife. “Cats, if not managed responsibly, can pose risks to native animals. For those who love birds, consider planting native trees and providing fresh water that can attract them to your garden rather than keeping them confined in small cages.”

He reminded pet owners that responsible ownership also means ensuring pets are microchipped, registered, and desexed, in line with council and state requirements. He suggested anyone interested in taking in a pet visit Council’s website for useful information about the adoption program and pet registration.

"There are links to some great video resources about caring for pets," Cr Anthony said.

The popular local Facebook page Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Inc. also has links to pet care advice.