Pet alerts keep possums safe

GeoCatch has urged pet owners in the Busselton and Dunsborough areas to keep their pets inside to allow critically endangered western ringtail possums to “feel safe to forage, feed and thrive”.

The organisation launched the new environmental campaign Pets Away, Possums Play on World Wildlife Day on Sunday.

GeoCatch invited volunteers to spread the message in public areas with a stencil and temporary chalk spray.

GeoCatch Natural resource management officer Nicole Lincoln said keeping pets inside reduced the risk of injury or death of western ringtail possums.

“Being a responsible pet owner starts with you and means ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of your pets as well as protecting the possums and native wildlife,” she said.

The initiative aligns with national and Statewide campaigns and attitudes delivered and supported by the City of Busselton, the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions and the RSPCA.

“Local evidence suggests that the greatest known causes of death to possums and wildlife in our catchment are cats, dogs, motor vehicles, and habitat loss,” Mrs Lincoln said.

The message Pets Away, Possum Play is the outcome of community workshops, collaboration and partnerships in the Geographe catchment, with the stencil catching people’s attention in the Busselton CBD and Dunsborough Town Centre.