From man’s best friend to service animals, pets are just as important as any family member. Here are some of Canberra’s pet businesses.

According to the RSPCA, in 2023, there were an estimated 28.7 million pets in Australia, that is about 69 per cent of households.

Dogs were the most common pet at 48 per cent, which was followed by cats at 33 per cent. Fish exceeded the total number of pet types in Australia by more than four million.

An aquatic approach to canine therapy

For six years, Alicia Pratt has been the owner and operator of Therapaws Canine Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation and Fitness.

Specialising in canine hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, laser (both warm and cold), thermal imaging and soft tissue injury diagnosis, Alicia says she is grateful to be working her dream job.

“I’ve come from a clinic and was working there for 16 years,” she says.

“But I thought there were better approaches for dogs than serious surgery, so I studied up on the benefits of hydrotherapy.

“This is my dream job and will well and truly take me all the way to retirement.”

Alicia says it is important that the dogs don’t feel anxious, which is why she’s turned her clinic into something akin to a doggy daycare to ensure each canine friend that walks in feels right at home.

“We can often hear the dogs coming around the corner, woofing with excitement because they love visiting,” she says.

“If the dogs are friendly, they’re allowed to run around with the other dogs.”

According to Alicia, it’s easier to check out a dog if they aren’t tense and nervous.

“The more compliant they are, the better their treatment will be,” she says.

For newcomers, Alicia recommends pet owners bring in their dogs for an initial consultation should they become concerned about sore muscles, inflammation or recovering from an injury.

“We aren’t just looking at bones, so we want to ensure your dog is getting the right treatment.”

Therapaws Canine Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation and Fitness. 1/45 Bayldon Road, Queanbeyan. Visit therapawscaninerehabilitation.com or Instagram at therapaws_rehabilitation

An experience unlike any other with 650 birds

With more than 650 birds from about 65 different species from Australia and the world, Canberra Walk-in Aviary owner and manager Mick Logan says parrots, finches, doves and quail are among the birds ready to interact with bird lovers.

“The aviary is great fun for all ages and now is the best time to get up close and personal with a range of friendly, free-flying birds,” he says.

“While not all birds will interact with you, visitors get the chance to observe, up close, species of birds that otherwise would be hard to see in the wild,” Mick says.

“We provide a small plate of food and a tub of mealworms and you can wander around and feed the birds.

“Provided the weather is fine, you can have a great time feeding the birds, taking photos or just observing our feathered friends.”

The aviary has a 1000sqm planted walk-in enclosure that houses the birds.

“We accept student and senior concession cards,” he says.

Open every day, 10am-4pm, the aviary accepts last admissions at 3.30pm.

Canberra Walk-in Aviary, unit 13, Federation Square, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls. Call 6230 2044 or visit canberrawalkinaviary.com.au

Sandy’s got the perfect gifts for pet lovers

For Sandy Borgo, owner of Charlie & Chums, her business only exists due to her deep love of dogs and other animals.

“Dogs are always there for me and I for them,” she says.

“My dogs are my solace in life and I’m not the only one, many people find their pets are their best friends. They keep you active and give you happiness in life.”

Although Sandy doesn’t have a physical store, she ships nationwide and says she has plenty of items that are perfect to battle winter depression in Canberra’s cold climate.

“We’ve got so many lovely ornaments of animals and flowers to stick in your garden to brighten it up,” she says.

“It’s perfect to combat Canberra’s chill.”

Sandy also stocks a selection of animal statuettes, which she says have been hugely popular.

“I love stocking beautiful items,” she says. “I’ve got dog collars and leads, dog and cat wooden plaques, and bright metal dog and cat metal plaques.

“The bright metal plaques list the pet traits.”

Also available is giftware, including spec holders, ladies’ ponchos, scarves and brooches, says Sandy.

Sandy says she has sculptures of dogs and cats made from old 44-gallon metal drums, from the company Think Outside.

Charlie & Chums. Call 0402 097580 or visit charlieandchums.com.au