Residents adopting from a pound or rehoming organisation were not only providing a new forever home for a homeless cat or dog, but they could also take advantage of discounted pet registration fees.

Local councils, such as the Narromine Shire, Dubbo Regional and Mid-Western Regional councils, play an important role in caring for lost and surrendered animals in pounds and shelters.

I encourage people thinking of rescuing a pet to visit their nearest local council pound or rehoming organisation and meet their new furry best friend.

As well as being wonderful new companions, rehoming abandoned cats and dogs has the added benefit of reducing the burden on animal pounds, shelters and rehoming organisations and, importantly, helps lower euthanasia rates.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said 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," Mrs Hancock said.

"I am pleased to announce that nearly 40,000 cat and dog owners have benefited from these permanently discounted pet registration fees. "Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League and Cat Protection Society, local council pounds and shelters and rehoming organisations do a wonderful job finding surrendered cats and dogs new forever homes."

Promoting social inclusion through the companion card program

Businesses in the Dubbo electorate are being encouraged to support disability inclusion and become a Companion Card affiliate.

The program provided people with a significant and permanent disability access to a range of activities and events, by providing free entry to venues for their companion.

People with disability should have every opportunity to participate in our community.

I urge all recreational businesses across our region to sign up to become an affiliate today and show their support to people with disability and their carers.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the NSW Government was reigniting the campaign as a way of building more inclusive communities.

"This is also about being a good corporate citizen and helping people with disabilities to live life to the fullest," Mr Ward said.

"Across NSW there are more than 30,000 Companion Card holders and we want businesses to take advantage of a significant market."

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

Companion Card affiliates include entertainment venues, health and fitness facilities, transport organisations and more.

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

Active Kids

Kids in the Dubbo electorate are keeping active while their parents are keeping the cash, with each school-enrolled child now able to access two $100 Active Kids vouchers from July 1.

To help kids stay active all year long.

For further information visit sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids or call 13 13 02.

Until next week,

Dugald