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Inner city living kitties & canines
10 September,
1997
Just because you live in an inner-city apartment or small house doesn't
mean you can't be privy to the wonders of pet ownership.
There are a number of cat and dog breeds, as well as other animals,
that are actually ideally suited to inner-city living.
According to Ms Denise Humphries, Consultant, Petcare Information and
Advisory Service, many people don't realise that the size of a pet often
has little to do with its suitability for living in a small environment.
"Irish Wolfhounds, for example, are the largest dog breed yet are
particularly suited to family life as they are very much creatures of
home and hearth. They are the perfect breed for people who have a smaller
backyard, are attracted to the larger dog breeds and enjoy exercise"
said Ms Humphries.
In the tradition of European apartments the coveted Domain Apartments
on Albert Road, Melbourne are one of the first Melbourne apartments
to have a pets welcome policy and currently host up to 10 pampered pets,
ranging in size from a Chihuahua to a Labrador.
The managing agent says that the pets welcome policy is a drawcard for
the apartments as they are one of the only luxury apartments in the
inner-city to recognise the companionship pets offer.
"As The Domain Apartments are located directly opposite the Botanical
Garden and are only a block or two away from Albert Park Lake they are
the perfect apartments for pet owners" said Ms Humphries.
Foxie, a five-year-old Pomeranian Maltese cross has been living with
Dragga Dubaich and Dragga's mother Anka, in Annandale since she was
six months old.
Ms Dubaich describes getting Foxie as, "The best thing I ever did."
"We bought Foxie when my father was with us and she was his constant
companion, she has now taken to following my mother and I around the
house and is truly part of our little family - we even talk to her"
said Ms Dubaich.
"Being a small dog Foxie spends most of her time inside but she
still loves her daily walk and being able to see and interact with other
dogs and people" she said.
Over the 34 years we have been in Annandale the amount of dogs in the
area increased dramatically. We now see plenty of people and their pets
when we go walking" Ms Dubaich added.
Jackson is another inner-city living dog. The Maltese has been sharing
a small Department of Housing unit in Waterloo with Rose Lamb for 10
years.
"Most of us here have a little dog" said Ms Lamb, "They
are excellent company when you are living on your own."
"They are also good therapy. Jackson is mainly an inside dog but
I take him out walking twice a day, which provides exercise and a change
of scenery for both of us" said Ms Lamb.
"Cats can also make perfect pets for apartment or urban living,
they require little space and are quite happy to spend their days sleeping
in the sun" said Ms Humphries.
"Alternatively people living in apartments or small homes could
consider getting a bird or a fish as a companion animal" she added.
If an animal’s size is no indication of its suitability for apartment
or inner-city living what then should prospective owners be looking
for in a pet?
According to Ms Humphries owners need to mainly consider the activity
level of the breed as well as the amount of time they have to walk and
groom their pet.
"Petcare's free computer program
Selectapet can assist in making this process easier by cross matching
different cat and dog breed characteristics against people's lifestyle
and narrowing down the choice to four suitable breeds. By using Selectapet
as a guide people can make an educated decision about pet ownership"
she said.