It all depends on the rules set by each local council. I have spoken with each one, and visited all the off leash areas. There is even a map below. Here’s my review.

Adelaide Off Lead Beaches

All the Adelaide councils allow dogs off the lead at certain times (details below), but only three have beaches where dogs can run free all the time as long as you have effective control. This means your dog:

• is close to you
• responds to all verbal commands
• can be seen by you

These ultimate dog friendly beaches are listed here. Please beware of snakes in the dune areas, in warmer weather.

West Beach

The West Torrens council has a section of beach frontage where no leash restrictions exist. As long as you know where it starts and finishes, you’re totally within the law to let your dog off.

It goes from the ramp at Anderson Avenue, Glenelg North to level with Hamra Avenue, West Beach. That’s between the two holiday parks, not far north of the marina. The off leash area probably stretches for a couple of kilometres of spectacular and quiet coast.

The northern boundary is unmarked, and you’ll need the Google map below to know when to turn around. It’s probably only a third of way along the beach in the picture.

Hallet Cove Beach

Marion council have a wide section of rocky coast, but only one beach at Hallett Cove. It has a mixture of sand and rock so perhaps isn’t as good for a run. Also, it adjoins a conservation area to the north so dogs must not leave the beach or go onto the boardwalk behind.

However, it’s a large, quiet beach with well-defined headlands and a good cafe behind.

O’Sullivan Beach

Onkararinga council have six dog beach areas, all marked on the map below. The top one is O’Sullivan’s Beach. The picture shows my dogs there some years ago.

In contrast to the other choices north and south, it is a lot busier most of the time. That’s great if your dog wants to meet other dogs. The beach has natural boundaries so it’s quite easy to see where you can go.

South Adelaide Dog Beaches

Onkararinga council have kindly allowed a further three southern city beaches to be off leash at all times. These are:

• Port Noarlunga South
• Seaford
• Moana Beach

You can view their approximate boundaries in the map below. The first two are mostly behind headlands or elevated coastal land, and the third is south of the river outlet at Moana. All offer wide expanses of quiet beach for your dog to run.

Aldinga & Sellicks Beach

Lastly, the map shows two long sections stretching below the city at both Aldinga and Sellicks. These are great for a day out or a holiday. Don’t forget that one of my favourite Adelaide dog walks starts at Moana and goes right past!

Other Off Leash Beaches

The beaches stretching from Outer Harbour to Largs through Semaphore to Tennyson, and Grange to Henley Beach are controlled by two councils. Holdfast council control the beaches from Glenelg through Brighton to Seacliff.

The rules for all these beaches are the same. They are:

• During daylight saving, dogs can be off leash before 10am and after 8pm.
• In non-daylight saving, dogs can be off leash at all times provided they are under effective control.

This means that from April to September, all Adelaide beaches have the same relaxed rules. Between October and March, you need to either only go at only certain times or choose your beaches carefully.

I hope I’ve helped you do that! The details shared above are based on local council rules and may change at any time. Therefore, always double check the local regulations for your favourite beach. And have lots of fun.

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

Here’s our guide to buying a cat box that’s not only easy to use but safe to be in.

Why Use A Cat Carrier?

1. Cats are highly territorial and get distressed when taken out. A cat box gives them a little piece of home to hide in.
2. Cats are impossible to hold when they panic, as happens a lot during transport.
3. Cat boxes protect cats from other animals, especially dogs.
4. Cats unrestrained in a car are a great danger both to people and themselves.

Now let’s look at what makes a good cat box.

Choosing A Good Cat Carrier

A good cat box should:

• Be strong and sturdy but not too heavy
• Have a large front opening
• Have the option of opening the top
• Have a secure latch
• Be conveniently separatable into two halves
• Be easy to clean & not have fabrics or zippers
• Be big enough that your cat can stand and turn
• Be well-stored and maintained

Now let’s look at the two examples above.

Strength

Both are good quality, well-made and not too heavy to lift.

Tips when buying: push and pull the cat box to put it under stress. The two halves should fit well together. the door should stay closed with a click, and the whole box should not rock, bend or distort easily.

Those cheap flatpack cat boxes made from cardboard or corflute are only good for the ride home from the shelter. Cats can easily use their claws to break out once they get bigger.

Front Opening

The opening of the red box is a little small for an uncooperative cat.

Tips when buying: The blue box shows how the opening should be nearly the size of the front. There are no flanges that the cat can wedge their feet against.

Top Opening

Neither has an opening top. These are better for difficult cats, as you’ll see in the video.

Tips when buying: Top hatches need to shut very securely as it’s on these that the handle attaches.

If the hatch is large, or the whole top of the cage is wire, your cat won’t like the exposed feeling. I recommend making a cover from a towel by cutting a slit so the handle fits through.

Secure Closure

The blue box has a difficult catch; can you see it’s actually not fully latched? The red box has a (good) standard IATA airline approved catch.

Tips when buying: close the latch and pull on the door to see how secure it is.

Disassembly

Both are easy to separate into their two halves if needed (useful as a last resort to get the cat in or out). The blue box has thumb screws, the red box has plastic catches.

Tips when buying: trial disassembly in the store (if you feel bad, remember this was how they were shipped). You won’t regret finding out now that the box is a nightmare to reassemble.

In particular, note that doors like on the red one above need to be open when you put the lid on- not ideal if you’ll need to pull the box apart to get your cat in.

Easy Clean

Nearly all plastic cat carriers are lightweight and easy to clean, so we only recommend these. Velcro and zippers are also far too insecure for transport.

Size

The blue box is the correct size, whereas the red box is only suitable for a short trip with a cooperative cat.

Maintenance

Both boxes have been well looked after by storing in a clean, dark place. Beware leaving a cat carrier out in the sun as the plastic will become brittle. These are best replaced before the handle breaks off when you pick them up.

One or Two Cats In A Box?

As for having two cats in one, it’s not ideal. They need to be best mates (these two are brother and sister), but even then it’s quite cramped and very difficult to lift safely. It also puts a lot of stress on the handle.

I hope this helps you choose the best cat carrier.

Now you might need to visit our page on getting your cat into the box!

Related: Travelling with cats in cars

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

While it’s definitely not easy, you can do it. The right technique will not only improve your cat’s vet care but will also be easier and less stressful for everybody.

Before we start, it’s a lot harder if you have the wrong cat box. If you’re about to buy one, please visit our page on choosing the best cat carrier.

5 Methods To Put A Cat In A Carrier

I’ll start with how to do it when you’re in a hurry. As you’ll see later, being prepared in advance is far better.

For all methods involving an uncooperative cat, preparation is vital. Do not give your cat warning of what you’re about to do. Set the cat box up ready to go without your cat noticing and try to pick your cat up when he or she is still asleep.

If you have several cats, start with the ones that make the least fuss so the others don’t get upset.

The video shows the first three methods. For all of them, you have to be careful not to catch the tail.

The Cat Torpedo

1. The box should be open, sitting at table height and against something so it doesn’t slide
2. Pick your cat up from behind, holding the front legs
3. Put your arms and elbows against the flanks to keep the hind legs tucked in
4. You can instead wrap your cat in a towel as long as it’s not too tight
5. In one quick movement, torpedo your cat into the box
6. Close the door before your cat shoots out again

The Top Opening Method

Cat boxes that have hatches on the top are especially useful for difficult cats.

1. Put the box on the floor with the top hatch open
2. Pick up your cat under the armpits
3. In one smooth motion lower them into the box and shut the lid

The End-On Method

This way is like the last one for when your box doesn’t have a top opening.

1. Put the box on the floor standing upright on its back end with the door open
2. Pick up your cat under the armpits
3. In one smooth motion lower them into the box and shut the lid

The Disassembly-Reassembly

This is like the last two for when you just can’t fit your cat in the hole. It works because most cat boxes are shipped in two halves. Practice reassembly without your cat first!

1. Check your box and see if it’s easy to split into a top and bottom
2. Place the bottom in a convenient place with the door still on if possible
3. Place the top within arm’s reach
4. Pick your cat up and place them into the lower half
5. Immediately put the lid on, not worrying yet if it’s on properly
6. Making sure the door pins are in their holes (note that doors like on the red one above need to be open when you put the lid on- not ideal)
7. Now fit the top accurately and do up the clips or screws securely

The Mobile Home

The fifth one is the best one but it takes more preparation and forethought. Plan to normalise the cat carrier so it’s not just the thing that takes your cat to the vet. For this to work well it’s better to start early.

Always remember the one universal truth: cats love boxes. Here are some ways to make a cat box popular at home:

• Put your cat’s favourite bed in the carrier
• Put the carrier in a special place where your cat likes to hide out
• Feed your cat in the carrier (even shutting the door temporarily)
• Place snacks, toys, catnip or Feliway® in the box on a regular basis

In other words, make the cat carrier an entertaining and positive part of your cat’s life. Then, when you need to, your cat should be easily coaxed inside.

If you do this, it has also been shown that your cat will experience less stress on the trip to and from the vet.

Anxiety Meds

It took me until 2020 to fully come around to the idea of cats receiving medication for routine veterinary visits. That’s because I hadn’t seen how well gabapentin can work. Of course, diazepam (Valium) is also a good drug, but its effects are more long-lasting and obvious.

If taking your cat to the vet or cattery is a fight, consider anxiety medication. Gabapentin can reduce anxiety and reactivity without visible adverse effects.

One Last Trick

There’s one more thing you need to know. Cats aren’t stupid. One terrible experience while in the box can be all it takes to change their attitude forever.

Drive carefully, and even get someone to calm your cat if it helps. And choose that vet carefully. If you don’t have a cat-friendly vet, all this effort can be wasted.

Related: Car travel with cats and dogs

Special thanks to Rajah, Acusla and Angel, who are no trouble to get in their cat boxes. All the owner has to do is leave them out and curiosity does the rest!

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

1. It distresses dogs
2. It makes a mess
3. It’s very frustrating
4. It reduces dogs’ enjoyment of life

The good news is that most dogs can be helped if you’re prepared for a bit of effort.

Before I discuss the ways to prevent and treat car sickness, a special word is needed about puppies.

Do Puppies Get Over Car Sickness?

If your puppy is showing signs of motion sickness, do not be alarmed. Nausea from travel happens to all young dogs and most grow out of it without any problem. The trick is to not push things too fast.

If your pup looks anxious, is drooling or shaking in the car, be especially careful. Taking short trips just up the street for a treat or play is a great way to start. By building their confidence slowly they should learn to enjoy car trips.

Getting out and about from an early age is important, not just to the vet. Read here how to get puppies immunised as fast as possible.

Preventing Car Sickness In Dogs

I’ve had several dogs with motion sickness, and I’ve never needed pills, so let’s explore this area first. Here’s what’s worked for me:

To Feed or Not To Feed?

How much food to give before travel appears to matter a lot. There are two competing issues here:

1. Food in the stomach makes vomiting less likely
2. Food in the stomach makes a lot more mess

The answer is to compromise. It’s best not to feed a meal before travel but then to give just a tiny biscuit or snack before you leave.

I have a feeling this is part of the reason why ginger seems to work for motion sickness.

Reduce Travel Anxiety

It is clear to me that motion sickness is a vicious circle. The more a dog associates travel with nausea, the more likely they will be to vomit.

The anxiety may have started due to normal puppy car sickness but it then feeds the problem. That’s why I stress the importance of taking it slowly with puppies (and treating early).

Other things you can do are:

• Offer distractions like favourite toys
• Get a passenger to give a calming touch
• Treat the anxiety even if it’s not a problem elsewhere
• Allow your dog to look out the window while still using good car restraints; for example, PetStock here sell a booster seat for small dogs

From my experience, letting dogs look out the window works well, possibly for a number of reasons. However, if you open the window (which may help) please make sure the gap is too small to fit through.

Drive Like A Nanna

The faster you drive, especially around corners, the more likely it is that your dog will be sick. If you have a choice, choose a less winding route. If you don’t, slow down and enjoy the scenery!

Car Sickness Tablets For Dogs

For some dogs, medications are essential to break the cycle. It amazes me how many dogs only need them for a short time to never get car sick again.

Natural Remedies

I’ve already mentioned ginger above, which is worth a try. I see other natural treatments for sale, and all I can say is that they look harmless.

Cerenia®

Maropitant is a relatively new anti emetic that works extremely well for car sickness in dogs. In fact, as the most effective and only registered treatment for motion sickness, it’s the drug I turn to first.

Maropitant lasts for 24 hours with each dose and rarely causes any side effects. The only problem is its cost. If you need it every day it gets a little pricey.

Benedryl® and Dramamine®

Twenty years ago, treating motion sickness was a lot easier. All I had to say was ‘go down to the pharmacy and buy some Dramamine’. Then people started using it as a recreational drug and it was removed from sale.

I believe that Dramamine is still available in some countries, but not Australia. The same applies for Benedryl tablets. If these are available in your area, please discuss them with your vet before use.

Phenergan®

Another over the counter human medication that can work in mild cases is promethazine. It’s a mildly sedating antihistamine with a small antinausea effect. Click here for dog antihistamine doses.

Adaptil® Collar or Spray

I like DAP collars but they don’t seem appropriate to use for travel unless you also need them at other times.

DAP spray, on the other hand, makes perfect sense. You could impregnate a bandanna with it and put it on your dog for car trips. While I’m not aware of evidence for efficacy, it can’t hurt to try.

Metoclopramide

Lastly, metoclopramide (called Maxolon® for human use) can be a last resort. Its use for me is when nothing except Cerenia is working but the owner finds the costs are too high (Cerenia costs around $10-15 per dose).

To use metoclopramide requires a valid prescription so you would need to talk it over with your vet.

Whatever you do, don’t give up until your poor dog can enjoy travel again. You’ll be glad you did!

You might also like: Driving With Dogs | Treating Anxiety in Dogs

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here. The information provided here is not intended to be used as a substitute for going to the vet. If your pet is unwell, please seek veterinary attention.

The dog you see isn’t the only one harmed. In fact, he’s one of a whole string of similar stories I’ve seen and heard recently in Adelaide. Let’s call him ‘X’.

The Story Of X

X’s owner visited several places listed in our guide to Adelaide boarding kennels but wasn’t happy to leave him at any of them. She then heard about pet sitting and thought how great it would be.

She chose a pet sitter from one of the major websites that link dog owners with sitters and made a booking. You can read more about these sites and how to arrange pet sitting here. At least now she could relax knowing her dog could be cared for by someone in a home just like hers.

The pet minder picked up X from his home and everything seemed OK. Warning bells only started ringing when the owner was sent pictures showing lots of other dogs in the same yard. It seemed that X was being housed with five dogs, none as small as hers. It was too late to back out now, but she was reassured it would all be OK.

What Went Wrong

Later in her holiday, she emailed to see how X was going. Further photos were sent showing that X was looking a bit thin but when she asked she was told that everything was going well.

The photos show X within 24 hours of collection. He is critically thin, at a body condition score of just 1 out of 5. This can’t just happen overnight. His owner also noticed that he was weak and unable to jump up like he used to and that he had a mild diarrhoea.

There are only three possible explanations for what happened while X was at the dog sitter:

1. Feeding was poorly supervised so that X’s food was eaten by other dogs
2. He was highly anxious, leading to weight loss and poor appetite
3. He had, or acquired an illness during his stay

We’ll never know the truth, but you’ll be relieved to know that with individual attention and veterinary care he’s making a full recovery.

Is The Pet Sitter To Blame?

Yes. No matter what the cause, this is unacceptable. All three explanations needed and lacked the correct response.

1. Feeding should always be separate to prevent fighting and stealing and to ensure each dog is healthy enough to eat
2. Anxiety should be recognised and the appropriate steps taken
3. Sickness should be identified and a vet visit made

Why Dog Sitting Can Be A Problem

The are many, many good and kind dog sitters but we are seeing and hearing about more and more problems. It reminds me of the gold rush we saw into puppy farming 10 to 20 years ago.

Lack Of Regulation

Most of the time no one (including their own agency) has physically been to a dog sitter’s premises to check on their standards. Essentially, it’s a trust-based system and that works OK most of the time. However, unless there is a complaint, it’s unlikely that anyone will know what is going on.

Lack Of Infrastructure

Animal pens are very expensive, as I know only too painfully from building our new clinic. Additionally, the last thing most dog owners want is to see their dog penned even at night. However, without pens, dogs can’t escape other more aggressive or assertive dogs and infection control is useless. That’s probably why we are seeing some dogs coming out of pet sitters with:

• Diarrhoeas and respiratory infections
• Suspected food stealing
• Changed personalities

Lack Of Expertise

X’s case highlights either an ignorance of basic dog care or a callous disregard. I hope it’s the former. Either way, it’s too easy for anyone to set up as a pet sitter and then it’s buyer beware.

A lack of expertise can be any of the following:

• Recognising signs of stress
• Avoiding triggers for conflict
• Knowing what illness looks like
• Maintaining a safe and secure yard and house

Are you getting the feeling that there’s an incredible difference in the pet world between appearances and reality? Too right there is. Now read two more examples:

• What’s Wrong With Anaesthetic Free Dentistry
• Recognising The Signs Of Bad Cat Boarding

If you run a pet sitter agency, dog kennel or want to talk about recent experiences with dog or house sitting, feel free to leave a comment expressing your views below.

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

What Is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitters are just regular people who offer to look after your pet when you can’t, such as during holidays. They can be anything from people who like the company and a little extra cash to those who run it as a fully fledged business. They can also be people who live in your house and look after your pets at the same time.

Dog sitting can be a good alternative to boarding kennels. Many people who visit dog boarding kennels are put off by the harshness of cement and wire runs, and the sheer size of some places. It’s so much more attractive to imagine your dog being able to live in a house with the company from other dogs and people.

Finding A Good Dog Sitter

Pet sitters are probably best chosen by personal recommendation, volume, and proven skills. My ideal dog sitter is:

• Used by a friend
• Has just one or two pets at a time
• Is themselves an experienced pet owner
• Exercises your dog every day

House sitters need to have previous experience with the species of animal they will care for. It’s a lot more than just looking after your house.

Guide To Dog Sitting Services

There are four large web-based national pet sitting sites. On these you can also find:

• House sitting
• Day Care
• Dog walking

Don’t Fret Pet ask you to fill in a questionnaire about your pet and agree to the terms and conditions. There is a space to ask for a preferred person but it seems like you take what you are offered. I liked the detailed questions about kids, other pets, walks, sleeping places, medical problems etc but I suspect all pet minders will ask these.

I was then asked to pay a deposit so that a pet sitter could be chosen for me ($38.00 per day). I had to agree to indemnify them for claims arising as a result of the pet causing damage to property or people (third party damage).

MadPaws, PawShake and PetCloud are all very similar. You can browse through a large list of Pet Sitter profiles, each with information supplied by the minder. There are also customer reviews but sadly they are currently either scarce or selective, making it hard to make an informed choice.

Aussie House Sitters have a similar set up for people only looking for a house sitter.

You then start up a conversation with a chosen few where hopefully the important information will be passed both ways. It’s much more informal but you do get to chat directly with the pet sitter. On some sites, you are asked if you also want to pay for dog walking (don’t they get walked anyway?)  but a positive is that all three have public liability insurance and PawShake also has limited pet insurance.

PetCloud has the option to ‘Post A Job’ and wait for responses instead of searching for a minder yourself.

Other local services exist that are smaller and can be just as good or better. Two examples from our clients are Moving Paws and Wagging Tails Adelaide.

It’s always worth checking the level of insurance of any pet sitter. However, no pet sitter seems to accept responsibility for death, injury, illness or loss of pets during their stay.

What To Ask Dog Sitters

• Can I meet you and visit the premises beforehand?
• What is the maximum number of dogs you have at one time?
• Do the dogs get walked every day? (don’t assume this)
• Can you provide pick up or drop off services?

There’s also a lot of information you should provide and a good indicator would be how much of it is asked of you. To see what is needed, search online for the “Mad Paws Information Sheet”.

Becoming A Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is probably a good way for animal lovers to make a little extra money doing something they love. You will need to have a police check but there does not appear to be any extra training or inspection required. Some groups offer additional online courses but it seems very easy to become a minder.

Obviously, significant experience with animals, suitable housing, a compatible lifestyle and a mature, responsible attitude are all essential as a minimum. It’s also important that you are protected against unfortunate events either by legal waivers or with good insurance.

In summary, if you have bad vibes for any reason, it’s safest not to leave your pet in the care of a stranger. Worse, if you aren’t even allowed to inspect where your dog will be, then under no circumstances use this place.

If you run a pet sitter agency, dog kennel or want to talk about recent experiences with dog or house sitting, feel free to leave a comment expressing your views below.

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

Note: I chose these kennels based on a long history of working in Adelaide as a vet and being familiar with their reputations. Walkerville Vet does not have any association with these businesses or endorse them in any way. It’s important that you visit the kennel of choice in advance and make up your own mind. In bushfire season it’s also important that you check the rural ones have an evacuation plan in event of a fire.

For any good facility, all dogs need to have current C5 vaccination or proof of active immunity via titre testing. Please contact us ASAP if that’s not the case. You can also find our guide to Adelaide pet sitting services here.

Animal Welfare League SA

1-19 Cormack Rd, Wingfield SA 5013
Phone: (08) 8348 1300
Website
Email

Beau’s Pet Hotel

Phone (08) 81156080
1 Navaid Road, Adelaide Airport, SA, 5950 (South of Harbour Town Shopping Centre)
Website
Email

Golden Grove Boarding Kennels and Cattery

87-99 Greenwith Road Golden Grove
Phone (08) 82515121
Website

Hedgegrove Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Lot 15/157 Greenwith Rd, Golden Grove SA 5125
Phone (08) 8251 1235
Website
Email

Kip Dog Boarding Adelaide Hills

77 Watts Road, Brukunga SA 5252
Phone (08) 7078 3051
Website
Email

Pampered Pets Resort

52 Institute Rd, Montacute SA 5134
Phone (08) 8390 2237
Website
Email

Penfield Kennels & Cattery

295 Penfield Road, Virginia, South Australia, 5120
Phone (08) 8380 9415
Website
Email

Topspot Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Cnr Strathalbyn Road & Liebelt Roads, Biggs Flat 5153 (5 minutes from Mylor)
Phone (08) 8388 8272
Website
Email

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

• Off leash Adelaide beaches
• Dog parks in regional and country South Australia

We’ve visited every park, taken photos and noted their features. But what exactly is a dog park? They are specially designated by councils and usually have:

• 24 hour off-leash permission
• Double-gating at entrances
• No shared use with other activities
• Dog amusements, dog watering facilities and shelters for owners
• Separate areas (those that don’t I’ve called single)

We have not included the large number of other off-leash areas. Visit your local council’s website to check where else you can go or check out our list of eight top Adelaide dog walks.

Gold medal: City of Salisbury with ten dog parks! Walkerville & Holdfast Bay: still on the starting line. See the full list after the map.

Adelaide: Pityarilla Dog Park

Glen Osmond Road
This new double park adjoins the ever-popular Marshmallow Park play area in the South Parklands. It has medium-sized small and large dog areas, shelters and water.

Aldinga Beach: Symonds Reserve Dog Park

Stewart Avenue.
Separate small and large dog areas are provided within a larger reserve. This park is very new and has minimal shade or amusements but should improve as plantings mature.

Andrews Farm: Stebonheath Dog Park

Davoren Rd.
Small single dog park at the western end of a large park & lake with walking paths and sporting facilities.

Balhannah Off Leash Area

River St.
Though commonly called Balhannah Dog Park, this one isn’t a true dog park due to the lack of full fencing and double gates. However, we’ve included it due to its immense size, uniqueness and popularity.
Located just off Greenhill Road, it’s contained within a loop in the Onkaparinga River.

Birkenhead: Adelaide Brighton Community Dog Park

cnr Alfred St & Hargrave St
Top marks to a private company for creating such an excellent public dog space! A beautifully-landscaped small single park with mounds, a grassy hollow, rocks and vegetation.

Blakeview Pooch Park

Access via Jabez Way.
Small single park set between Main North Road and Blakeview.
Can get quite wet underfoot after heavy rains.

Broadview Dog Park

Collingrove Ave.
Small single dog park but many owners also let their dogs run on Broadview oval when not in use. Good facilities.

Devon Park Puppy Park

Bolingbroke Ave
Small single park with obstacles, ramps, tunnels etc adjacent large sports field. Presumably ‘puppy’ means all small dogs.

Flagstaff Hill: Minkarra Dog Park

cnr Happy Valley Drive & Manning Rd.
Single large dog park near a skate park & playground.

Flinders Park: Tedder Reserve Pooch Park

Findon Rd & Belgrave Ave.
Single dog park adjacent the River Torrens Linear Park.
Illuminated.

Gawler: Clonlea Reserve Dog Park

Gawler Council have built a large double dog park at Clonlea Reserve north of the helicopter landing area. It has separate fenced off areas for small & large dogs and solar lighting. The photo shows the large dog park looking through to the small dog park at the back.

Glengowrie: Hazelmere Road Reserve Dog Park

cnr Oaklands Rd. & Hazelmere Rd,
Huge park divided into two. Shelters, water, toilets and many plantings may make this one of the best in Adelaide. Both the ‘small dog’ and ‘all dog’ areas can be entered from the carpark at Southern Ave. The large ‘all dog’ area has another access from Hazelmere Road (pictured).

Glenside: Conyngham Street Dog Park

Conyngham Rd.
Large single open grassed area with muddy patches in winter.

Golden Grove Dog Park

Bicentennial Dve.
Unusual linear layout like a walking circuit (most do it clockwise). The entrance & exit are side by side.

Hectorville: Four Paws Park

cnr Montacute & St Bernards Rd (behind petrol station)
Popular and attractive medium-sized single park with good variety of amusements and mature shady trees. Illuminated

Hillbank: Jo Gapper Dog Park

Blackburn Rd.
Small & large dog areas
Lovely setting on an open wooded hillside above the suburb.

Holden Hill: Bentley Reserve Dog Park

Gentilly St.
Good-sized large dog area with central mound.
Separate very small enclosure for small dogs.

Huntfield Heights: Dinton Farm Reserve Dog Park

cnr Melsetter Road & Main South Rd.
Single medium-sized dog park with drinking water, plantings, and a lawn area with shade trees. The grass may be a bit thin, but it’s very popular with locals.

Joslin/St Peters: Hannaford Reserve (proposed)

cnr Winchester St and Seventh Avenue.
In 2020, Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council have announced their intention to convert Hannaford Reserve into a dog park. Currently the location is off leash at all times, and the upgrade would be very welcome to improve facilities and reduce dog escapes.

Kilburn: Jack Watkins Reserve

Car parking either off Churchill Rd next to Costco or Kilburn rwy station Carroll Rd
Separate large and small dog areas in middle of secluded large park

Marleston: West Torrens Dog Park

Westside Bikeway, Moss Ave.
Separate small and all dog areas, lovely moderate-sized parks close to the city and Anzac Highway. Good to see vegetation in the small dog park for dogs that like to explore.

The West Torrens Dog Park is set aside for retired and adopted Greyhounds from 9 am – 12 noon on the fourth Sunday of each month. Owners can book a one-hour session here (maximum 15 bookings per session).

For Greyhounds, see also Port Elliot Dog Park.

Mawson Lakes: Dry Creek Linear Park

Park Way, near Technology Park
Small single dog park at the southeastern end of a beautiful walk along Dry Creek from Mawson Lakes. Solar lighting.

Mt Barker: Barka Park

Access from end of Zanker Drive (nr Bluestone Estate). Signposted from Flaxley Rd.
Vast large dog area with range of amusements; separate small dog area also good sized, mostly grass.

North Adelaide Dog Park

Between Main North Rd, Lefevre Rd, Medindie Rd & Robe Tce.
Vast pair of illuminated parks for small & large dogs. Parking best via Medindie Rd (closer to LeFevre Rd but shrubby & secluded approach).

Northfield: L J Lewis Reserve

Grand Junction Rd.
Nice quiet location with a recently rebuilt set of three dog parks.
The photo shows one of the smaller parks (the second is to the left) looking through to the larger park behind where most people go.

Panorama: CC Hood Reserve

Access from Eliza Place
Large single dog park in the middle of CC Hood reserve.
Good local amenities.

Para Hills West: The Paddocks Reserve

Single medium sized park close to Maxwell Rd.
Plus adjacent woodland & wetland where dogs can be walked on-leash.
Solar lighting.

Parafield Gardens: Baltimore Reserve

Oleander Dve.
Single medium-sized park attractively well vegetated with native trees and shrubs.
Adjacent sports oval.

Para Vista: Golding Oval

cnr Redhill Rd & Kalina Ave.
Medium-sized dog park with two separate areas, presumably for small & large dogs. Adjacent sports oval.

Paralowie

Fairbanks Drive Reserve
cnr Byron Bay Drive & Fairbanks Drive
New! Photo and visit coming soon

Paralowie Dog Park

Kingswood Crescent Reserve.
Medium sized single dog park.
Access either via Bolivar Rd or Caulfield Crescent.

Pooraka: Unity Park

South Tce. Single large dog park. Solar lighting.
Behind Gepps Cross BMX club, near good walks around a lake & the state sports park.

Ridgehaven: Ashley Avenue Dog Park

Access via Ashley Ave or Milne Rd.
This dog park isn’t actually fully fenced. Instead it’s a designated area between a series of sports fields and a creek, set well back from the surrounding roads.

Ridleyton: Doggie Land

Albert Greenshields Reserve
The Ridleyton Dog Park is new in 2018. It has a smaller area for older, calmer or shy dogs and a larger area for dogs happy to freely socialise, though still much smaller than the nearby North Adelaide Dog Parks.

Salisbury Heights: Canterbury Reserve

Canterbury Rd.
A single medium-sized dog park (with solar light) behind the mound that separates Canterbury reserve from Main North Road.

Salisbury North: Happy Home Reserve

Waterloo Corner Rd.
Standard medium-sized park. The unusual feature is a smaller area (pictured in foreground) with picnic tables and a sand pit.
Close to Salisbury, near a playground and walking trails on the Little Para River.

Semaphore: Semapaw Dog Park

Military Road, opposite West Lakes.
Constructed in mid 2021, shown from north with the road to the right (entrances are at the southern end). A large single space for dogs of all sizes with good features, paths and shelters. To the left as pictured is a second separate ‘Sniff Space’ designed as a stimulating relaxation area for 3 or 4 dogs at a time, and therefore also useful for timid or old dogs.

Salisbury Park: Jenkins Reserve

Saints Rd. Two separate large areas in a secluded setting generally closed at sunset.
Large reserve with parking adjacent a good dog walk along the Little Para.

St Clair: Pooch Park

Cheltenham Parade & Torrens Road, St Clair
The St Clair Dog Park is part of a new development. It is a small single park, but nicely landscaped to make best use of parkland near a noisy intersection.

Stirling: Wright Road Dog Park

Wright Road
A very small area for puppies plus a large dog area big enough to go for a decent walk. Very pleasant location.

Taperoo: Roy Marten Reserve

Access via Military Road north of Fort Largs or Ventura Avenue.
Small and large dog areas in a huge setting and even close enough to go for a beach walk! Good facilities.

Trott Park: Reserve Street Reserve

Reserve St.
Huge boomerang-shaped dog park with inner biodiversity area (essentially creating two spaces). Two car parks either via Adams Rd or Reserve St and adjacent BBQ and playground.

Two Wells Dog Park

Next to the CFS shed on Wells Rd a short walk from the main street.
A small single park with shelter, grassed area and good scrubby edge for dogs that like to explore.

Upper Sturt Dog Park

This frankly looks like a set of disused bitumen tennis courts but good on the council for being creative. No grass or dirt, but it’s a small enclosed area if you need it.

West Hindmarsh Dog Park

At least, that’s the name we’re assuming it’s called! A very new medium-sized single space formed during the South Road works. It sits behind a concrete barrier (with a gap) but is best accessed from Jervois Street.

Woodville Dog Park

Glen Rowan & Oval Avenue. Very large space, big enough to find a quiet corner. Sometimes used by a local dog obedience club.

This is not a dog park of the modern type. Although fully fenced, the fence height could be jumped by large dogs and the gates are single, not double, meaning care is needed on entering and leaving.

Woodville West: Dog Scentsory Garden

Henderson Ave & Todville St. A small dog park mainly designed for exploration and sniffing, not play with other dogs. It has a limit of three dogs at a time, and probably only spans 15 X 40m.

It will suit the very young and old, more timid dogs, those who like solitary exploration off lead, those not keen on rough play, and dogs with mobility issues.

Related: A guide to dog park etiquette

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

Other options include dog boarding, catteries and pet sitting, but you want your best friend with you if possible. Have you thought of sending pets by air?

The company & government information we’ve included are up to date at the time of publishing. We can’t guarantee they will stay accurate so please check the details yourself before departure.

Domestic Pet Air Travel

It’s a lot better than people realise. Here’s why:

The system has become very reliable now pet air travel is common.

• Virgin and Qantas have detailed, informative web pages explaining the process.
• Pets travel in a pressurised and temperature controlled hold.
• You can get companies like Jetpets & Dogtainers to organise it for you instead.
• Even if driving you can send pets unaccompanied to spare them the journey.

There are still some things to consider though:

• You have to check pets in 90 minutes before departure if flying together. Freight terminals are usually in a different location.
• Pets may not have air conditioning at freight terminals and on the tarmac. It’s best to choose flights to avoid hot or cold times.
• Some pets have restrictions on air travel. Puppies & kittens 8 – 12 weeks, dogs & cats over 12 years, pregnant dogs or those with recent illness or surgery all need a vet certificate. Brachycephalic breeds like Pug dogs and Persian cats are restricted from long journeys and some breeds like American Staffordshire Bullterriers, working dogs & greyhounds may only be allowed under certain circumstances. Check with your airline.
• Assistance dogs (guide dogs etc) can travel in the cabin if arranged in advance. Dogs weighing over 65kg (incl. crate) may not be eligible. Compatible animals can travel together if they don’t exceed 14kg in total.
• Allow at least 90 min between connecting flights for your pet to be transferred by airline staff.

Checklist Before Air Travel

1-2 Weeks Before:

• Get vet checkup, update vaccinations and get veterinary certificate stating animal is fit to fly if necessary.
• Buy an IATA approved container in good condition of max size 80 cm (H) x 66 cm (W) x 110 cm (L). You can buy them from us, from the freight terminal or hire them from Dogtainers or JetPets. The cage must be big enough to allow your pet to stand and turn around.
• Ensure that your pet is able to tolerate being confined for a long period in an unfamiliar and noisy environment.
• Check the drop off & pickup locations and that they will be open when you need them.

The Day before:

• Clean the cage and place absorbent bedding in the base plus a favourite toy.
• Fit the water dispenser and familiarise your pet with its use.

On the day:

• Give less food than usual preferably 6 hours before travelling.
• Make sure your pet is well-exercised and has had an opportunity to toilet.
• Drop off your pet with the necessary paperwork between 90 and 120 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure.

Now read our guide to pet travel for what to do when you arrive!

International Pet Travel

Thinking of taking a dog or cat with you overseas? A lot of people do it but it’s VERY complex to arrange. You are dealing not only with airlines but also with the requirements of at least two governments.

Here we definitely recommend using the pet travel companies instead of trying to organise it yourself.

If you haven’t decided yet, take into consideration that Australia has very strict quarantine regulations for animals returning from some countries. Find out first how hard it will be to bring your pet back. Many animals will be happier staying with people who love them in familiar surroundings than experiencing the joys of double travel and quarantine.

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.

Below you’ll find information on Driving With Dogs & Cats.

If flying is an option, visit our page on Plane Travel For Dogs or Cats.

The company & government information we’ve included are up to date at the time of publishing. We can’t guarantee they will stay accurate so please check the details yourself before departure.

Travelling With Dogs & Cats To Adelaide

Adelaide is a healthy environment for most pets. Adelaide is free of the paralysis tick but dogs and cats still need the standard vaccinations and worming. There are no restrictions on keeping traditional pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets etc.

When coming to South Australia with a pet, remember to dispose of any fruits, vegetables, soil or plant material before you cross the border.

South Australia also has some of the strictest rules on keeping dogs and cats, including compulsory desexing. Read more here.

Moving House With Dogs or Cats In Adelaide

What To Do Once You Arrive

1. Register with your chosen veterinary clinic
2. Ask for your pet’s history to be requested from your previous vet(s)
3. Research the locations of emergency vet clinics
4. Update your pets’ microchip details (our nurses can help)
5. Keep cats inside until they have accepted their new home (usually at least 2 weeks)
6. Register with the Dog and Cat Management Board (compulsory in SA)
7. Research the local area

Check your local council’s website for local off leash areas. You’ll find elsewhere on this site a guide to our 8 favourite longer dog walks. There is also a good SA guide to dogs in national parks and 12 dog-friendly walks near Adelaide.

Pets Travelling Interstate In Australia

Diseases present in other states include:

• Paralysis tick (Eastern Australia)
• Leptospirosis (Northern Australia and inner Sydney)
• plus local venomous snakes or spiders.

The best thing to do is ask the vet for advice in the area where you will be staying.

Certain states have special restrictions:

• Dog owners entering Tasmania must show proof that they have given a wormer containing praziquantel in the preceding 14 days.
• Rabbits and ferrets are not permitted as pets in Queensland.
• Ferrets may not be allowed to enter Tasmania.
• Most states have complex rules on native and feral species.

Driving With Dogs or Cats

Rest Stops For Dogs

Exercise, water and toilet stops are best offered every two hours, just like for drivers. If you plan ahead you can find pet-friendly places off the main road. Even better, many country SA towns provide fenced parks where your dog can safely exercise off-leash.

Pet Safety and Comfort When Travelling

Dogs have a habit of jumping out of cars unexpectedly especially in a new or exciting place. To prevent this, train dogs to ‘wait’ in the car until you give them the ‘OK’ to jump out. Putting on the leash before even opening the door is an even better idea.

If the weather is warm, be as careful as you would be at home about leaving pets in cars during stops.

If your drive time will be prolonged, please consider splitting the journey into two days. Searching “pet friendly accommodation” in a nice place on the way (we like Hay, Balranald, Narrandera, Halls Gap or Echuca) & there is a good guide to dogs in the Riverland. Watch out that ‘pet friendly’ means you can have them inside and not just in a yard.

Cats, rabbits or stressed dogs probably need shorter periods of travel (around 6 hours per day). You can’t rely on them eating, drinking or toileting properly until you stop.

Pet Friendly Caravan Parks & Motels

Not everywhere will accept pets, and when they do, there are usually strict rules. Many caravan parks will allow dogs on leash but it’s important to check ahead to be sure.

Most national parks and reserves do not allow pets. Therefore, if holidaying with a dog there will be times when you need to leave him or her in your room or caravan. This may be a problem in hot conditions.

Pet Driving Holiday Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist to help remember what pets need for travel:

• Identification: microchip AND a tag on the collar with your mobile number.
• Secure leash and harness suitable for exercise close to busy roads.
• Food and water bowls.
• Favourite bedding and toys for comfort.
• Medications (bring a medical history too if it helps an unfamiliar vet).
• Spare bedding & plastic bags in case soiled.
• Poo bags.

Dog Car Restraints

There’s nothing cuter than a dog with their head out the car window. There is a problem though…

• Dogs DO fall or jump out regularly. We see the consequences.
• An unrestrained dog in a car accident becomes a high speed projectile.
• Dogs moving about in cars are dangerous distractions.

Read why the only dog car harnesses we recommend are the Purina Roadie and the Sleepypod Clickit.

A better alternative for big dogs can be to have a cargo barrier installed. If the space is large you may still need a harness.

Dogs on utes need to have a leash short enough that no part of their body can go over the edge.

There aren’t any cat car restraints we recommend. Instead, it’s better for your cat to be safely inside a strong cat carrier, which is then strapped down or placed securely in the car.

Read here how to choose a good cat carrier for travel and how to get a cat into a carrier.

Car Sickness & Sedation

Read our advice for dog car sickness here. If it’s a problem, there’s an effective medication we can offer.

Sedation of dogs is best avoided except for fearful, anxious or overexcited travellers. In contrast, medication of cats is more often a good idea due to the severe distress that travel causes to most.

In both cases, it’s essential to give a trial dose in the days before departure. Psychoactive drugs can be unpredictable, so you need to check the effect of the drug before travelling. Some animals even get worse instead of better.

Drugs used solely to block anxiety in both dogs and cats should not cause them to be visibly sedated. Drugs used to reduce excitement or arousal should still allow a dog to walk around, eat and drink.

The best thing to do is talk to your vet before you depart about the best choices for your dog or cat.

Have something to add? Comments (if open) will appear within 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.