NO PET? NO PROBLEM

• VOLUNTEER at a local animal shelter or zoo.

• OFFER to walk a neighbour’s dog, or get paid to play by signing up with a pet-sitting service such as Mad Paws or Pet Cloud.

• ADOPT a pet that’s easier to care for than a cat or dog, such as a fish, bunny, guinea pig or bird.

• LEARN to horse ride.

• JOIN a puppy-owning friend for a trip to the dog park.

• FOSTER a pet. You’ll reduce the time a kitty or pup has to stay in a shelter, give it much-needed love and help prepare it for adoption. (It might not even cost you anything.) Visit rspca.org.au for more info.

• VISIT meetup.com to look for local pet-friendly gatherings. Some fun examples include: visiting a dog park for dog lovers, or enjoy lunch at a cat cafe.