Picking up poop never looked so cool… said noone… until they came across the Mad Paws merch store!

That’s right, we’ve launched our inaugural collection of merchandise for our Pet Owners, Pet Sitters and our community of 1+ million pets, of course.

As Australia’s first and largest pet sitting & dog walking marketplace, it’s only natural that we’d design and produce a range of the fetching fashion items goin’ round.

For the hoomans, we have crew neck t-shirts, tote bags and bum bags.  For the four-legged fashionistas, don a bandana and add extra cred when passing other pooches in the street. (The bandana’s also suitable for humans if you want that matchy-matchy look – we won’t judge!)

From trendy t-shirts to practical poop bag holders and chic tote bags, the Mad Paws merchandise collection has something for hound and hooman.

Be the envy of your local dog park and strut your stuff in our new line of merchandise.

You’ll find all items available on our Pet Chemist brand’s website.

Shop the Mad Paws Merch Store >

The post Sit. Stay. Slay. In NEW Mad Paws merch! appeared first on Mad Paws.

Signal the pup-arazzi cos we’ve had a make-over!

We’ve been doing a bit of primping and preening and are so thrilled to be officially launching Mad Paws’ new look!

Check out our new logo, striking colour palette, and some very special illustrations custom designed by our Brand & Creative team.

You may notice our transition from the previous logo to our new one as we update all our collateral, platforms and marketing assets.

Head over to our fetching new home page >

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Mad Paws (@madpawsau)

We’d love to know what you think!
Leave your feedback on our socials >

The post Mad Paws has a new look! appeared first on Mad Paws.

This event was to show our support and love for our LGBTQIA+ employees, customers, pet sitters and allies .

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Mad Paws (@madpawsau)

The World Pride Sydney 2023 event not to be missed

If you’re looking for pride events in Sydney to celebrate in 2023, we have just the thing to get your metaphorical tail wagging!

Mad Paws are supporting World Pride Sydney with an afternoon in the park to #walkwithpride.

If you’re wondering whether it’s for you, we can answer that. YES!

Expect lots of dogs and other furry friends (it’s what we’re all about, after all), drinks and nibbles, entertainment and music….and last but not least, Carla from Bankstown as our host!

Firstly, what is Sydney World Pride 2023?

WorldPride is a global LGBTQIA+ celebration that takes place in a different city every few years.

WorldPride aims to promote and advocate for LGBTQIA+ human rights around the world. 

Its inaugural ‘coming out’ dates back to the year 2000 in Rome and is a licensed global event run by InterPride, a network of over 400 LGBTQIA+ member organisations from over 70 countries.

What makes this WorldPride so special is that it’s the first time a city in the southern hemisphere has been chosen!

Spanning 2 weeks, from Friday 17 February to Sunday 5 March 2023 – traditionally the dates of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – all are welcome to take part in a host of events across arts, sports, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programmes and Human Rights conferences.

Mad Paws’ Event in Sydney: Walk with Pride

If you love canines, comedy and canapés, then you MUST NOT MISS this one!

Mad Paws prides itself on inclusivity, and the staff culture is testament to this. We don’t just talk the talk when it comes to equality, we walk the walk. 

So it’s only fitting that we’d host a #walkwithpride event as our way of supporting WorldPride Sydney and the LGBTQIA+ community.

__________________________________________

Pride events in Sydney

After marking the Mad Paws Walk with Pride event in your calendar, we encourage you to see what other activities might tickle your fancy.

With well over 100 different events hosted around Sydney and Newcastle, we’ve highlighted a few that will not disappoint! No matter what your preference, there is absolutely something for everyone.

Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert
Featuring the one and only Kylie Minogue, as well as Courtney Act, Charli XCX, Jessica Mauboy and more.

Mardi Gras Fair Day
With over 200 retail, information and food stalls filling Victoria Park, we love this one because there’s also the annual Doggywood Parade and Pageant at Optus Arena. 

Bondi Beach Party
Sun, sand, and a sea of colour…say no more. Headlining this event is international pop star, Nicole Scherzinger. And given allocation has already been exhausted, you’ll need to try your luck with the official resale.

The post Celebrating WorldPride 2023 with #WalkWithPride appeared first on Mad Paws.

Here’s everything you need to know in a quick fire round of Q&As!

What is a Meet & Greet?

A Meet & Greet is a chance for a Pet Sitter and a Pet Owner to meet before either party commits to the booking. 

Why should I conduct a Meet & Greet?

Meeting the Sitter face-to-face is a brilliant way to ensure there are no surprises during a booking. Ask questions, get to know more about them and the environment your pet will be in…use this time to ensure the Sitter can meet your pet’s needs.

When should I conduct a Meet and Greet?

Before a booking is approved by the Sitter, after they’ve seen your completed Pet Profile. Once you’ve met and feel 100% comfortable, the Sitter can approve the booking to proceed with the booking.

Where should I hold a Meet & Greet?

3 options include:

  •  In a public place – Dog parks or pet-friendly cafes are some great options.

  •  At the site of the booking (either yours or the Sitter’s home) – if they’re happy with this, it allows you to get a real feel for where your pet will be staying and whether it’ll be suitable. 

Helpful hint: if the Sitter has pets, this also allows you to see how all furry friends interact with one another.

  •  Via video call – Ideal if you’re short on time and/or it’s a last minute booking request.

What happens during a Meet and Greet?

It’s a great time for you to ask lots of questions, but also to give the Sitter time to bond with your pet.

Share information about your pet that helps ensure the best experience for them, such as:

  •  Feeding times & quantity
  •  General behaviour to expect
  •  Any health issues to mention (or medicines to administer)
  •  Exercise/play time routines
  •  Social preferences with dogs & people

What happens after the Meet & Greet?

If you and the Sitter are comfortable to proceed, the Sitter will approve the booking and you can lock it in with payment.

Where you’re not 100% satisfied with the initial interaction with the Sitter, you’re not obliged to proceed with the booking – it’s your choice!

If you’re not sure (or they’re not sure), either party can request a second M&G or further information before proceeding.

The post Meet & Greet FAQs appeared first on Mad Paws.

Before you dive in head first, here’s everything you need to know before you foster a dog.

Are you ready to foster a dog (or other pet)?

Before we get into the practicalities, it’s best to first ask if you’re ready to foster a dog. As much as you might love the idea, it’s all about doing what’s right for the animal. So, before taking the plunge, it’s worth asking yourself the following questions.

Do you have the time to properly care for a dog?

This includes feeding, training, walks, toilet breaks, and, depending on the dog, medical care. Fostering may not suit all lifestyles, particularly those who work irregular hours or travel often for work.

Can you provide a safe, comfortable, and secure environment for a dog?

Some dogs are natural escape artists, so it’s essential to have high, strong fences to keep them within your property. It’s also important to ensure your home is comfortable and warm to help the dog feel safe and welcome.

Is everyone in your household onboard?

If you’re committed to locking all the doors and gates, taking the dog out to do their business, and feeding them high quality, healthy dog food at regular intervals, that’s all well and good. However, you need to get your whole household onboard. After all, it’ll be a collective responsibility regardless of whose name is on the paperwork.

Do you have reliable transport?

It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but accidents and emergencies do happen. Having access to reliable transport is a must in the event of any sudden illness or injury.

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, you may not be quite ready to foster a dog just yet.

How to become a foster carer

If you are ready to foster a dog, you might be wondering how it actually works. Each rescue organisation has its own process for choosing people to foster their pets. The better-known rescue groups include the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League, however each state has plenty of smaller rescue groups and shelters offering foster programs. It’s worth reaching out to your local rescue group, otherwise you can browse dogs needing foster care on websites like PetRescue.

That said, regardless of which rescue you go with, most will require you to fill out an application. If accepted you’ll undergo induction training, receive lots of information and fostering resources, then wait until you’re matched with an animal in need of foster care.

Preparing to foster a dog

While you’re waiting for that perfect pupper match, there are a couple of things you’ll need to do to prepare your home (and yourself) for the new arrival. 

First up, there’s all the usual dog-proofing stuff – patching up any gaps in fences, keeping food, medication, and cleaning products well out of reach, and removing any potentially poisonous plants for dogs.

This also includes creating a cosy environment for them to relax, with a comfortable calming dog bed, plenty of blankets and toys for them to cuddle and play with. After all, it’s a huge adjustment period for them, too, so having somewhere to retreat to is essential.

Second, and more importantly, there are a few questions you’ll need to ask about your new housemate. Rescue dogs can require extra special care, so take the opportunity to learn as much about their history as you can.

Some questions to ask, include:

• Where they’ve come from
• If they have any behavioural or medical issues
• If they’re housetrained
• How long the foster period is likely to be
• How they interact with other pets or young children.

The answers to these questions will help inform your whole fostering experience, so be sure to ask them.

Responsibilities as a foster paw-rent

When fostering a dog, your primary responsibility is to provide them with a safe, comfortable, and loving environment. The end goal is for your foster pet to find their forever home through pet adoption, so your job is to help them become the best pet they can be in the meantime.

That doesn’t just mean cuddles and playtime – though those are important, too! It also means keeping them both physically and mentally active, training them, and ensuring they receive quality nutrition.

Additionally, the rescue group may ask you to routinely report back with updates about your foster pup’s progress. One of the main reasons dogs enter foster care is to give the rescue group a better idea of their temperament and personality. You may even be asked to help write their pet adoption ad when the time comes!

Costs of fostering a dog or other pet

Fostering is a popular option for people who want a pet but aren’t yet ready to make the financial (and, let’s face it, emotional) commitment that comes with owning a dog. While you won’t make any money as a foster paw-rent, it’s still an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also an experience that costs very little – in fact, for some, it may cost nothing at all.

Most rescues are run by volunteers and community donations, and each foster program is different. If it’s a larger organisation with more resources, chances are they’ll provide everything you need. On the other hand, some smaller rescue groups will only cover vet costs, while the foster carer pays for food.

Saying goodbye

By far the hardest part of fostering dogs is saying goodbye. It’s easy to become attached to your foster pup, but try to remember that, at the end of the foster period, your furry friend will be with its forever family – and you’ll have saved a life.

Still, for some, saying goodbye is just too hard. So, before you think about fostering a dog, you’ll need to prepare yourself for the possibility of a ‘foster failure’. This occurs when the carer grows so attached to their foster pet that they can’t bear to part with them. Inevitably, they end up adopting the animal themselves. That said, given this ‘failure’ winds up with the pup getting a forever family and you getting a friend for life, we’d call it a success!

The post What you need to know before you foster a dog appeared first on Mad Paws.

Reusable coffee cups are flying off the (virtual) shelves, cafés are rewarding people using them, and many food outlets are switching from plastic straws, utensils and packaging to more eco-friendly alternatives.

Research suggests that one medium sized dog has the same sized carbon footprint as a large SUV so maybe it’s time to start considering how we can become more sustainable pet owners too! 

At Mad Paws, we’re committed to developing sustainability processes and plans that reduce our carbon footprint as a business. But what else?

We’ve put together some simple steps you can take to create a more eco-friendly future for your furry bestie and for the world around us.

Some easy ways to join the sustainability movement with your pet:

Switch to biodegradable poop bags 

Pets produce a lot of it. It’s arguably the worst thing about being a pet owner; the constant cycle of picking up your pet’s poop. It’s estimated that between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are discarded every year worldwide.

If you’re a dog owner, switch to biodegradable bags to stop contributing to that alarming number. There are several compostable poo bags available nowadays, meaning they break down much faster than the hundreds of years it can take for traditional bags to degrade!

If you’re a cat owner, you could also consider trying an environmentally friendly litter such as recycled paper cat litter, pine or grain based litter.

Get a pet poop composter

If you want to go one step further, install a DIY pet poo composter in your garden! Just make sure you plant it away from your veggies to avoid any contamination of food. Scoop up the poop in your garden and deposit it in the composter where it will be broken down and will feed your plants.

Make homemade meals for your pet

Pet food comes in bags, cans and boxes; all of which are thrown away afterwards. It is possible to make your pet’s food at home and reduce the packaging you use by 100%. Dogs and cats both need a carefully balanced diet and this can be a daunting prospect for many owners.

Instead, let’s try something more realistic. Why not commit to only feeding your pet homemade treats? Make your own healthy dog treats or homemade chicken jerky for them, or try out frozen treats on warm days and cut out packaging from treats completely. 

For those who want to support sustainable pet food businesses, try Lyka’s lightly cooked meals – they’re Australia’s only carbon negative dog food company! Or Scratch dog kibble, who donate 2% of their revenue to the likes of Paws for the Planet.

Adopt, don’t shop

When you adopt a pet, it’s no exaggeration to say that you are likely saving a life, or even more than one. You’re not only saving your new family member by giving them a home but also freeing up a space in the shelter to allow them to save another animal.

Adopting is the gift that keeps on giving! Rescue animals can often have an unfair reputation. Not all rescue animals are damaged and aggressive – some have just had an unlucky start to life but you could be their lucky break! Shelter animals have been thoroughly vet checked, treated and had behavioural assessments to make sure they can be perfectly matched with the right family for them – that’s way more than your average pet shop does. If you’re looking to add a new furry member to your family, consider pet adoption. The perfect pet may be waiting for you! 

If you have other ways to be a more considerate and environmentally friendly pet owner, we’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comments below.

The post What does sustainable pet ownership look like? appeared first on Mad Paws.