By so doing you are providing a forever home for a homeless pet and you can take advantage of discounted pet registration fees. Councils play an important role in the care of lost and surrendered animals at pounds and shelters.

Rehoming abandoned cats and dogs reduces the burden on animal pounds, shelters and rehoming organisations and, importantly, helps lower euthanasia rates.

The NSW government is celebrating an important milestone in animal welfare reaching the $1 million mark for pet registration discounts for rehomed dogs and cats.

The government introduced half-price pet registration fees for animals adopted from council pounds and animal shelters in 2016, to encourage would-be pet owners to consider adopting homeless pets.

To date nearly 40,000 cat and dog owners have benefited from these permanently discounted pet registration fees.

Companion Card

Businesses are encouraged to support disability inclusion and become a Companion Card affiliate.

The program provides people, with a significant and permanent disability, access to activities and events by providing free entry to venues for their companion. People with disability should have every chance to participate in our community.

I urge all recreational businesses, entertainment venues, health and fitness facilities, transport organisations and more, across our region to become an affiliate and support people with disability and their carers.

The program has helped people with lifelong disability for more than 10 years, by providing free entry to events and activities for family members, friends, volunteers or paid carers.

For more information about the Companion Card Program or to sign up, visit companioncard.nsw.gov.au.