Happy High Rise Hounds

Due to recent changes in strata laws, it has become much easier for pet owners to be allowed to keep their pets in their apartments. However, that does not change the fact that they may still be left alone in your high-rise home for the majority of the day when you have to go to work.

They have a high possibility of becoming sad from their owner’s absence, especially when there is no one else available to take care of them while you’re gone.

Luckily, there is a new scheme to help resolve this issue and ensure that your pets receive proper care while you are gone.

Property developer Mirvac and the RSPCA are creating a “pet concierge” plan to give tenants the ability to hire someone to look after any kind of pet while they are away from home for extended periods of time.

So far this plan has been acclaimed by many strata groups and the NSW Tenants Union. The trial run is taking place near Mirvac’s Ovo Green Square development in order to test out the benefits of putting this new plan into action and making it the new norm.

Steve Coleman, CEO of RSPCA NSW, stated that “if you get stuck in the office and need someone to feed your pet, or you need your dog walked, fed, or even just a spot clean, then our experts are situated in-house and just a phone call away”.

The Pet Concierge service is completely open to “looking after any domestic pets”, and currently look after a wide array of cats, dogs, and birds.

39-year-old Nathan Bennet and his partner Heidi Carr from Zetland have used this service twice to have someone look after their dog, Romeo. They are amazed at how well this service has benefited them ever since they started using it.

Mr. Bennet stated that “previously we have been relying on friends and one pet-sitting service but we really like the security and peace of mind of having a service provided by the RSPCA”.

The trial has been actively running since February and will be evaluated in June. This programme uses a highly qualified vet nurse and costs $35 for an hour-long visit.

All profits earned by this trial are funded to the RSPCA to help the end result of this trial come to fruition in the future.

Chris Duggan, president of the Strata Community Title NSW, stated that "most pets that behave badly are ones that don't have enough attention. The pet concierge is sensible and innovates way to deal with that".

The strata laws that came into effect in 2016 made it possible for pet owners to have their pets allowed to live with them in their apartment complexes as the new law, as long as their corporation is aware.

Having a pet concierge service to look after your animals while you are away will help alleviate their loneliness and ensure that they are receiving the proper care that they need even in your absence.