Sharing your life with a loyal canine companion is a joy, but with that joy comes responsibility – especially when it comes to protecting our precious native wildlife. Responsible pet ownership goes beyond providing food, shelter, and love for our furry friends. It extends to safeguarding our delicate ecosystems and protecting the native wildlife that coexists with us, particularly vulnerable species such as koalas.

Around 100 koalas are taken to the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre, RSPCA, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital every year because of dog attacks – and 75% of those koalas will die from their injuries. Other species like possums, lizards, and ground-nesting birds are also at risk of being harmed by dogs. Your furry friends can also come off second-best when they face off with wild animals – and nobody needs the stress that pet injuries and high vet bills bring!

By incorporating some of these simple practices, we can help keep both native wildlife and your dog safe in Queensland backyards.

Training your pet to leave wildlife alone

Just like teaching your dog good indoor manners, wildlife avoidance training empowers them to be safe around wild animals. This doesn't require agility courses or complicated tricks. Wildlife avoidance training consists of training your dog to ignore and not chase wildlife.

The two main activities in wildlife avoidance training are:

• teaching your dog to come back every time you call
• teaching your dog to stop (sit and stay).

Consistent training from an early age helps instill an understanding of boundaries, creating a harmonious coexistence between pets and the wildlife that shares their habitat. Need a hand with training? Download the free Leave It app – it's packed with loads of practical, expert-backed tips that will help both you and your pooch stay safe during wildlife encounters.

Create a nighttime sanctuary and keep your dog inside

Queensland is home to many nocturnal animals – like possums and koalas – who come out at night to adventure into new territories like your backyard. To minimise the risk of encounters between your dog and these gentle creatures, consider keeping your pet indoors or confined to a secure area during nighttime hours. In some areas like the Gold Coast, the local Council has special requirements for dog owners that live near koala habitat that are in place to keep koalas safe.

Another Queensland creature you should keep your pooch away from is the not-so-cute toad. Cane toads are poisonous to dogs, so ensuring your dog is contained at night can help prevent them from encountering these dangerous amphibians.

Creating a designated nighttime space for your pet not only safeguards wildlife but also provides a sense of security for your furry friend. By establishing this routine, you can significantly reduce the chances of unintentional harm and promote a safer environment for both your pet and local wildlife.

Wildlife-friendly fencing

Despite our best efforts, there may be instances where wildlife, especially koalas, find their way into our backyards. One way to allow wildlife to roam freely without fear of getting trapped in your backyard is by creating wildlife-friendly fencing.

Wildlife-friendly fencing is designed to assist animals in easily climbing through or under a fence. You can create wildlife-friendly fencing by adding modifications to existing fencing or by choosing certain materials to build with. Some options include:

• providing an alternative route over a fence by placing a plank or post positioned at an angle from the top of the fence to the ground
• using fencing materials like timber posts or chain-wire mesh that wildlife can easily grip and climb
• adding a plank or board to the top of your fence – this allows koalas to walk across without entering your backyard.

Seasonal awareness – knowing when wildlife get ‘busy’

Some animals become more active during breeding season, as they move around to mate or establish new territory. During koala breeding season, koala movements are increased, placing them at higher risk of encountering pets.

Pet owners should be extra vigilant and take additional precautions to mitigate risks to wildlife during breeding season periods. Keep your dog on a leash or within a secure area, especially during the breeding seasons of animals that live close to you. By being mindful of these crucial periods for animals native to your home, we can ensure their safety and minimise the risk of conflict.

Doing your part to protect native wildlife

By embracing these simple steps, we can be responsible pet owners and guardians of our beloved native wildlife. Remember, it's not about choosing between our pets and native wildlife; it's about finding harmony, creating a world where both domestic and wild furry (and feathery, and scaly) friends can thrive together.

Let's share our love of animals with the world, one responsible paw print at a time!