When Nick recently visited his grandfather in an aged care facility he commented to his mother how he worried his grandad might be lonely living away from family and friends.

‘Do you think we could bring Rover into see Grandad?’ he asked his Mum. ‘I think he misses him.’

‘I don’t think dogs are allowed in here,’ his Mum replied.

‘Why don’t we ask?’ Nick suggested.

It only took a couple of phone calls to gain approval from the Vet with a ‘heath check’ on Rover and agreement for a trial run from the manager at the aged care facility. Soon after the weekly visits to the retirement village became a highlight of the week – not only for the residents but also for Nick, his mum and Rover.

Clearly it’s not possible for all residents in care facilities to own a pet. But a good option is to organise a pet dog to visit regularly.

Some supporters believe pets not only offer companionship, but may also offer the ability to boost health and well-being in the elderly.

For more details on pet therapy contact your favourite vet or visit https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/pet-therapy

CALL: 1300362326
EMAIL: sales@pethorsefarm.com.au

For many years seeing eye dogs have guided people who are blind or vision impaired, and in more recent times various breeds of dogs are assisting in areas such as epilepsy, autism and hearing loss. Other pets, like cats and birds, continue to provide a range of support mechanisms for men, women and children of all ages.

Ginamarie is someone who says life would be much harder and less fun without her seeing eye dog, Gypsy. ‘Gypsy my guide dog brings my life into a world of greater freedom, independence and sweet sharing of experiences as well as being a joyful playful friend at home. He fills my home with a sense of family and brightens each and every day. I am deeply grateful to have Gypsy in my life.’ Gypsy is also a big fan of rawhide treats and munches on Advance.

See our huge range of doggie goods for your best bud.

At Pet Horse and Farm we also value the contribution animals and pets make to our lives and we’re happy to be proud sponsors of Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria which this year celebrates its Ruby Jubliee. Congratulations to all involved in this great organisation and good luck to the tennis players for their first ever international blind tennis tournament.

Here’s a link to the website and fundraising page if you’d like to donate.

Our association with travelling international stars continued this year as we looked after the feed, bedding and carrots and apples for the overseas contingent of horses at Werribee. In addition we have been developing some custom mixes for young trainer Matt Cumani, who had Grey Lion in the Melbourne Cup.We were pleased to hear that Grey Lion had eaten up better than other horses that travelled to Australia in the past…we must be doing something right!

If you need any nutritional advice or might even like a custom mix developed and bagged for your team, please contact us at sales@pethorsefarm.com.au

Spring is also a great time for gardening and we have sold hundreds of bales of Pea Straw all over Melbourne, we hope you’ve been able to snap up our 6 pack or 8 pack option, or if not, there is still time! 

See below for our specials for November.

We highly recommend Ivory Coat as a grain free option and to make the change easier we are currently offering $10 OFF large bags, and $5 OFF medium bags. We buy all sorts of ingredients from all over Australia and we are very happy to support a company that recognises the importance of farmers in our lives!

The grain free option is very appealing for dog owners and the Ivory Coat range uses only the highest quality Australian-sourced ingredients, is hypoallergenic grain free and is packed full of wholesome ingredients including a high concentration of quality animal protein for lean muscle maintenance. It does not contain wheat, corn, rice, soy, meat by-products or artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Shop the range here.

We take the mess, the heavy hassle and the time out of picking up goods for your furry friends, and now you only need to reply ‘YES’ to a reminder. Safe, simple and super quick!

If you have any questions or would like to set up your automatic delivery over the phone please contact 1300362326 (Monday to Friday). The beauty of home delivery is the convenience, so we don’t expect you to be home.

Our delivery team listen to your instructions and can meet any of your requests or call you to make arrangements. We deliver your goods in a timely manner and with great care for your special instructions.

FREE for orders over $100 in Metro Melbourne.

Simply fill out this form and we will do the rest. 

Peas are an important part of many pets nutrition and to see a use for the natural by-product is very satisfying. Our Pea Straw comes straight from a cropping farm north of Melbourne, via our warehouse and straight to your door, verandah or garage, as the case may be!

There are two main reasons for using pea straw: it is easy to use and inexpensive…we like the sound of that when it comes to gardening! The pea straw can be easily broken up into biscuits and spread like pavers across the garden bed, and then broken up further for those hard to reach places (around the roses!).

Pet Horse & Farm offer a friendly, reliable and FREE* delivery service taking the mess and hassle out of transporting pea straw in your car, let us know where we can leave it. We have introduced the 8 Pack so that if you live in metropolitan Melbourne you can get 8 bales delivered for FREE...SHOP NOW. Your garden can't get enough of pea straw?

Why not set up automatic delivery? Tell us how much and how often, and we'll take care of the rest!

*Delivery is free for orders over $100 to Melbourne

.            

Trouble & Trix Crystal Angel Litter is a biodegradable, long lasting litter with scented lavender crystals infused. It has great absorbency and odour control and is suitable for use with kittens. Buy 5 for $105.

Trouble & Trix Lavender Litter is a sodium bentonite based clumping litter that is scented with lavender. It has small particles and highlights of brown and cream in colour, while being a naturally mined product that is biodegradable. A great clumping option, this product is suitable for kittens only when supervised. Our 5 Pack is on sale for $109.95.

Catmate Litter (PetMate Litter) is an eco-friendly wood pellet and best suited to cat owners seeking a litter that is easy to use and super absorbent. The pellets are covered in natural oils to inhibit the growth of bacteria and are designed to minimise odour, and the combination means this litter won’t need changing as often as its competitors. PetMate is 100% biodegradable and can therefore be used in the garden after removed from the tray. At $15 a bag when you buy 5, it is also the best value litter!

Breeders Choice Cat Litter is a uniquely formulated pellet made from >99% recycled paper with no additives or chemicals. It is a well-known product in the industry for its natural odour control, high absorbency, light weight and biodegradability. A standout in the recycled paper litter market Breeders Choice is a great choice for any cat owner. $90 for a 5 pack is great value too!

You will also notice some great new packaging for the NutriRice range and as always if your order is over $100 we can deliver FREE to metropolitan Melbourne. The Coprice and NutriRice range offer a product suitable for any type of horse in any discipline.

To find out what is best for your horse browse through the range on our website or email us at sales@pethorsefarm.com.au for some specific advice.

The second thing to remember when buying dog food is that when comparing dry kibble with wet food, dry kibble wins every time. Here’s why:

1. It enhances dental health by helping to dislodge plaque

2. It’s easy to store

3. It’s more hygienic

4. When you use a high quality product, you can feed your dog less, making it more cost-effective

5. It encourages small, firm stools. For this alone it wins hands down.

We have donated feed for the 22 surviving horses and hope they find new homes where they are loved and cared for as all animas and pets should be. 

If you would like help or advice on horses or any pets, their nutrition and their wellbeing, please don't hesitate to contact Pet Horse & Farm.  

Ph: 1300 362 326 

Email: sales@pethorsefarm.com.au

AGE: The kitten should be at least eight weeks old and have had its first vaccination (Inoculation). The paperwork, which may include the vet health check, vaccination certificate and booster requirements along with any written guarantee will be provided with the kitten.

DESEXING: Your kitten should be desexed as soon as possible. Consult your vet for advice on this, there are now more vets able to “juvenile desex” companion animals (you don’t have to wait for six months) and this early age desexing is to be encouraged. If you would not call yourself a cat breeder, get your cat desexed – it’s the right thing to do for you, your cat and your community.

HOUSE TRAINING: A kitten will usually copy its mother and will use a litter tray if one has been provided. A new kitten should be kept inside the house for several days after arrival, and always kept in at night, so it will need a litter tray even if you have a garden. Responsible cat owners never allow their cat to stray off their property – day or night!

CAT SCRATCHING POST: It is a natural and instinctive behaviour for a cat to scratch, scrape and exercise its claws. They really enjoy doing this on a thick doormat or a wooden scratching post. Insist from the start that your cat uses these and not the furniture; your persistence here will produce a socially acceptable cat.

REST: Kittens, like all babies, need a lot of sleep. Nobody should ever be allowed to wake the kitten up to play with it. Constant high activity is not good for your kitten. 

HOLDING THE KITTEN: The correct way to hold a kitten is to cradle the hind legs with one hand and hold the front of the body under the chest and behind the forelegs with your other hand. This way, the kitten will feel more secure, particularly if held close to your body and therefore it is much less likely to struggle and/or scratch in an effort to free itself.

NAMING YOUR NEW KITTEN: Give the kitten a distinctive short name and call him before you feed him. He will soon learn to respond and come when he’s called.

OTHER ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE: If the kitten is to be introduced to other animals in the same household, if at all possible wait until the kitten has investigated the whole house whilst the other animals are out. They should then be introduced very carefully and gradually, preferably with one on a lead. There is no reason why all animals should not become good friends if properly introduced.

Much like diet, there is no one rule for exercising a dog; some need a lot of physical activity, others are more than happy with a casual stroll. If you’re looking at taking a dog into your home, then it may be worth thinking about how much time you have to invest in helping your pet to exercise before you choose which breed you want.

For instance, if you take a hunting or herding dog into your home, such as a border collie, you will probably need to invest a couple of hours a day on their exercise regime. If they don’t get enough exercise, they will get bored, and your house may just get an unwanted canine makeover. On the other hand, if you adopt a short nosed breed, such as a bulldog, then a quick saunter around the block will normally suffice. Always remember that if you have any doubts or concerns about exercising your dog, you should have a chat with your vet. You may also want to invest in an affordable waterproof coat for your pet, if they seem to be a fair weather walker.

A HOME & A BED FOR THE NIGHT:

The vast majority of us humans value being able to retire to our own space, whether it’s to sleep, or just to escape from the rest of the household; dogs are no different. They like to have a chill zone, whether it’s a big comfy dog bed, in their own room or corner, or an impressive dog kennel in the yard. Remember, if you’re shopping for dog beds in Melbourne or dog baskets online, you shouldn’t just opt for the cheapest option. You need to make sure that those dog beds for sale are made of safe materials, that they provide your pooch with the right amount of space and they are going to last a reasonable amount of time. Spending a tiny amount of money on a dog bed that only lasts for a week is false economy.

Of course, caring for a dog involves a lot more than the things you’ve read about in this article, but it’s a good starting point for anyone who is welcoming a canine into their lives for the first time. It’s a good idea to have all the necessary accessories and food items on hand before you bring your pooch home. That way you can make sure you take good care of your pet right from the very start. 

If you want chickens for eggs, you will need to include nesting boxes in your hen house design. A laying hen will produce an egg every one to two days. Frequent gathering will assure freshness, keep eggs clean and minimize breakage.

All chickens lay eggs in a series - never more than one or two per day. If the eggs are not collected, and a sufficient number of eggs are allowed to remain in the nest, the hen may stop laying eggs and start brooding. 

FEED:

Feeds are available to suit the changing needs of the chickens. Chicks can be fed a starter mix until they are feathered out. Then they can be fed maintenance feed until they start laying. Layers can be fed egg booster and scratch. Feed comes in 4 forms: mash, crumbles, pellets and grain. Mash is powdery, just as it sounds. Pellets are made of compressed mash, and crumbles of broken up pellets. Some feeds are medicated.

Coccidiosis is a disease that can kill chicks that have not built up a resistance to it. They can pick it up outside from the droppings of other birds. If your chicks go outside you may want to give them a feed medicated with Amprolium, which controls the coccidiosis while allowing the birds to build up a resistance. Some medicated chick feeds are sold with antibiotics in them. Adequate storage is needed for the feed to keep it dry and keep rodents out. A galvanized trash can is ideal. Chickens like other birds need a supply of grit for digestion.

Grit is small stones that the bird stores in its gizzard, where they act like teeth and are used to grind up food. For chicks, grit is only necessary if the chicks have access to grain or other foodstuffs. Chicks on mash or crumbles don't need it. You can get chick-sized granite grit through your feed store.

CHOOK GLOSSARY: 

• Chick: a newly hatched chicken.
• Capon: a castrated male chicken used for meat.
• Cockerel: a male chicken less than a year old. These often make it to the barbecue.
• Hen: a female chicken more than a year old. These are the ones that lay the eggs.
• Pullet: a female chicken less than a year old.
• Rooster: a male chicken more than a year old.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

- Rabbits are very social and interactive animals that love attention - they do not like to be picked up but love being patted.

- Rabbits need at least 4 hours of exercise per day - they cannot live a healthy life shut in a cage.

- Rabbits are most active in mornings and evenings and sleep throughout the day.

- Rabbits can live for 8-12 years - some have been known to live longer.

- Rabbits need daily challenges and mental stimulation e.g.: toys

- Rabbits can get hairballs so it is important to groom your rabbit - Rabbits clean themselves the same way as cats do.

- Rabbits can overheat quickly - on hot days it is recommended you place a frozen water bottle in their hutch for them to be able to cool down.

- Rabbits need their nails clipped regularly.

- Rabbits teeth continually grow throughout their lives - it is important to have chew toys for them as this wears their teeth down.

- Rabbits should be desexed. Undesexed rabbits will mark their territory with faeces and urine, may become aggressive and are likely to have health problems. Most rabbits will naturally use a litter box when desexed.

- Rabbits make great indoor pets, they are very clean and quiet but you will need to rabbit proof the house as they will chew electrical cords and anything else they take a fancy to.

Hurry in to take advatage of one-off specials on items such as premium dog food and bulk treat packs, or pick up one of our super cheap clearance items such as pet beds, collars, toys and bowls. But be quick, because the Pet, Horse and Farm pop-up shop has to close at the end of July.

SPECIALS INCLUDE:

PET BEDS  - from $20

PREMIUM DOG FOOD (12-15kg bags)

     EUKANUBA - $15 off

     ADVANCE - $25 off

     HILLS - $25 off

     ROYAL CANIN - $30 off

BOWLS, TOYS, COLLARS & LEADS - all between $5 and $10

BIRD TREATS - $1

The savings don't end there, so come and visit us in-store to check all of our bargain prices - we even have some free treats to give away while stocks last!

12-15kg bags on special! We deliver to you! 

Advance - $25 off 

Eukanuba - $15 off 

Hills - $25 off 

Royal Canin - $30 off 

Phone orders and pick up also available. 

Call: 1300 362 326

Buy a bale buddy

We hope to hear from you or see you soon! 

Blind Sports Victoria

Pet Horse & Farm is proud to support Blind Sports Victoria.

Blind Sports Victoria provides sporting and recreational opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired.

Chris Cypreou has been training in blind tennis for the past 5 years in hope of joining the pros. 

Check out the article here on the interview with Chris Cypreou, Maurice Gleeson and Ray Fitzgerald about the blind and vision impaired tennis program, aired on SBS World News.

We wish Chris all the best with his training. 

http://blindsports.org.au

Gypsy, the seeing eye dog on the court (Image via the SBS)

Pet Horse & Farm is a family owned and operated business and we are thrilled to be turning 50 this year!

In 1965 the business opened with the same ideas that we use today; friendly advice and a great range of products with competitive prices.  

Our first two shops were near the Essendon Railway Station and after nearly 30 years in this location, Pet Horse & Farm moved to DFO Essendon in 1994.

In May last year, our Essendon shop closed and the business took a modern approach – online orders or phone orders with Free* home delivery or warehouse pick up from East Keilor.

If you have been a customer of ours for a long time, or only a short time we want to hear from you! We will share your stories throughout our 50th year on our website, newsletters and Facebook. 

Please contact us via phone or email or Facebook. 

Phone: 1300 362 326

Email: sales@pethorsefarm.com.au

Eric, an original staff member at 82 years old - luckily our staff don't lift like this anymore! 

* Free delivery =

Metro Melbourne orders over $100

Get your Eukanuba 12kg for $99.95 for a limited time only. That includes FREE DELIVERY
PURCHASE EUKANUBA NOW

Pet Horse & Farm Testimonials 

We have always been commited to providing a great service, and our delivery team are getting some great feedback. If you haven't yet tried our home delivery service perhaps its time to give us a try...

- AMAZING! Placed a hay order this morning and it was on my door step when I got home from running errands this afternoon. Now I have one very happy bunny! Thank you so much.

- Thank you so much for delivery my order so quickly and also thanks for the extra samples of treats you included at no charge. Our 14 year old Boarder Collie named “Ozzie” is very impressed. 

- Thank you for delivering our order and thank you also for the yummy treats you sent.  Ruby is enjoying the benefits.

- All I can say is thank you once again for your fantastic delivery service, only put in the order this morning it has already arrived, wish all company's were like you guys.

- Great service thankyou...will definitely order again when we need more

WE LOVE ALL ANIMALS at Pet Horse & Farm and have been given a great selection of animal related books, thanks to Hardie Grant Books, Melbourne. We feel very lucky to be reviewing these books over the next few months and are excited because.... we have FREE copies to give away to Pet Horse & Farm customers!
For your chance to win our 'Book of the Week' all you have to do is share an animal story or photo with Pet Horse & Farm on our Facebook Page or hashtag #pethorsefarm on Instagram with your pic. 

'Horse Week' was first up in our reviews & giveaways, the beautiful book & New York Times Bestseller, “Unlikely Friendships” was up for grabs. Written by National Geographic magazine writer Jennifer Holland. Congrats to Ellenor Cimesa who won the book after sharing her horse story & photos with us on Facebook. 
You can check out the book, Unlikely Friendships online here. 

'Dog Week' was next up and we throughly enjoyed the book "Dog About Town" written by Louise Glazebrook on 'How To Raise A Happy Dog In The City' - covering everything to do with your four-legged friend, from choosing the right city dog for you to choosing the right vet for your dog. We highly recommend this book - click here to check it out. 

Last week was CAT WEEK. Congrats to Luisa Modesti who won the book prize by sharing her cat photo and story with us on Facebook. The winning book was "The Grumpy Guide to Life - Observations by Grumpy Cat". Click here to check out the book so that you can read all about a cranky cat & his cynical views on life!

We will continue our animal book giveaway this month where a different book will be up for grabs in various animal categories watch week. So get your photos ready - this week is 'FARM WEEK!'
Share a farm animal story of yours or photo on our Facebook Page or hashtag #pethorsefarm with your photo on Instagram for your chance to win this week's book "Unlikely Loves" our second New York Times bestseller up for grabs by Jennifer S. Holland. To check out this book click here.  

Basil, our office dog enjoying the book "Unlikely Friendships" in the back of the Pet Horse & Farm work ute! 

Pet Horse & Farm sell a great range of chook supplies & deliver all over Melbourne. Check out the Chook page our website:
https://www.pethorsefarm.com.au/chook.html

Firstly James, how many chooks are at The Stables of Como? And what are their names? 

There were five chooks when we started… Unfortunately one got Marek's disease, a condition that is common in chickens. Most chickens (including all the Stables chooks) are vaccinated against it but it is only 98% effective.

Sadly the fourth chook didn’t get along with the other breeds and had to be relocated.

There are therefore now three chooks at Stables.

Jason Jones and his partner named the chooks when they were managing the café. Names included Coco Chanel, Lady Grantham, and a few others I have not managed to retain… 

What breed are they, how did you select them & where were they purchased? 

The chooks were purchased from Abundant Layers www.abundantlayers.com.au

I selected a mixed flock based on their laying ability, temperament and of course looks. It was exciting to try some new breeds and have a variety of personalities in the pen. As the flock was mixed it was important to get them together when they were younger. This enables them to establish their pecking order as they mature. The younger the better with mixed flocks but chicks need a warm cozy environment, eight week olds can go straight into the coop. Typically the ladies will start laying at 26 weeks. 

The five chook breeds I chose for The Stables of Como were:

Australorp

-       Great Winter layer

-       Big, black beautiful bird

-       Approx.  280 eggs a year

Coronation Sussex

-       Great layer

-       Also a big bird, white

-       240 – 260 eggs a year

Rhode Island Red

-       Consistent laying breed

-       I have a soft spot for them as I grew up with a big flock of them.

-       Good foragers, they love to be in the garden with you as you dig to jump on any grubs you dig up.

-       They are very curious & quite intelligent

-       Brown/red feathers

-       240 – 260 eggs a year

Barnevelder

-       Black & gold colorings

-       Can be a little flighty but beautiful feathers

-       Also good foragers

-       220 – 240 eggs a year

Plymouth Rock

-       White & black speckled feathers

-       Big bird

-       Very calm & friendly bird

-       220 – 240 eggs a year

The three remaining chicken breeds at Como are:

-       Australorp

-       Rhode Island Red 

-       Plymouth Rock

What would you say are the main benefits of having chooks? Aside from laying eggs of course! 

There are many benefits of having chooks.

Firstly, I think chooks are a great first pet. They are low maintenance, relatively inexpensive once you have set up a coop and they provide produce in the form of eggs and manure!

Chooks have an inquisitive nature that make them great fun for kids. They encourage kids to explore the garden in the search of worms and other tasty chicken treats. 

They can be used in conjunction with garden rotations or for fertilizing the lawn with the aid of a portable coop.

Are the majority of the Cafe fruit & vegetable scraps given to the chooks? They were eating a plate of scones when I last saw them!

The café puts most of its scraps into the National Trust gardeners’ compost. These guys do a great job at looking after the rest of the grounds at Como House. We then incorporate the compost back into the soil in the veggie patches near the chicken coop.

The Como chickens get a bucket of tasty treats most days. Chickens will eat most things so it is important to make sure you are giving them the right selection of fresh scraps to ensure they stay healthy.  

We sell a great selection of organic chook feed at Pet Horse & Farm. What sort of products & food do you think give the chooks the best results?

For consistent laying it is important to provide a stable base to a chicken’s diet - I like to use pellets. It is important to buy good quality pellets. I also like to give them ‘scratchings’ which are a mix of tasty grains you can spread over the ground for them to chase as well as weeds from the garden and scraps from the kitchen.

There are some scraps and plants that you shouldn’t feed chickens including avocado, rhubarb, onion, garlic, citrus fruits and any other scraps that are poisonous or go moldy quickly.

The RSPCA website has a great guide to feeding chickens:

http://kb.rspca.org.au/what-should-i-feed-my-backyard-chickens_305.html

http://www.thestablesofcomo.com.au

The Stables of Como

Como House & Garden

Cnr Williams Road & Lechlade Ave

South Yarra Victoria 

This month we would like to promote the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP)

We recently interviewed Nic, who kindly answered the below questions on her experience with the GAP program.

Greyhounds make loving pets and there are many who need new homes once their racing career is over.

Please ‘like’ the GAP Facebook Page

PET HORSE & FARM INTERVIEW WITH NIC:

When did you adopt your two Greyhounds from the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP)?

We adopted our two girls in May 2013 from GAP in Seymour.

Were the dogs already named or did you rename them Tui & Pipi?

Our dogs already had names but it was surprisingly easy to rename them, we just used their new names when feeding and they quickly got the idea!

If you did name them yourself, how did you come up with the names and do they have any significant meaning to you?

Hamish and I were both born & bred in NZ so we chose NZ names for the girls. 

Tui (black and white) is named after a common NZ native bird, which is dark with a white plumage on its chest. 

Pipi (blonde) is a type of NZ shellfish but we actually named her after our favourite pizza restaurant in Havelock North NZ "Pipi's". 

You have a baby, named Matilda. Were the dogs in your life before or after the birth of your daughter?

We had the girls a year before Matilda came along; in fact it was having the dogs that helped us make the decision about expanding our family.

How have the dogs reacted to Matilda being around?

Initially they were curious but fairly apprehensive especially once she starting crying, and so after the customary sniff they decided to ignore her for the first few months.  Now that she is crawling and giving them a "pat" Tui gives her a bit of lick and gentle nudge and Pipi gets the heck out of the way!  They are so tolerant of Matilda; nothing much really fazes our quiet, lazy girls.  In saying that, we do still always supervise Matilda around the hounds as you can never be too careful - we are more worried about what Matilda might do to them!

Please tell us a little about your experience with GAP: 

We had wanted to adopt a GAP greyhound for quite some time so after much deliberation about when was the right time to put in our "adoption papers" we did so and a week later GAP had made contact and we were off to Seymour to visit our potential new family members.  We took them for a walk and pretty much fell in love. GAP were amazingly helpful in matching us with absolutely perfect dogs.  You don't pick out the dogs yourself, you are matched by key criteria and what GAP feels are the right dogs for you - they know what each and every one of them is like as they all have their own little quirks. We wanted two dogs, at the time we were both working full-time and we wanted them to keep each other company.  It was a great decision and they are fabulous companions for each other and for us.

How you would promote GAP to someone interested in taking part? 

You will find that those who adopt a greyhound quickly become passionate about these wonderful pets and are always keen to increase public awareness in caring for them after their racing careers have finished.  If you are interested in learning more about greyhounds, GAP have a Christmas Festival every year (Sunday 30th Nov 11am-3pm) where it is a good chance to meet the hounds, talk to other owners and even adopt on the day. The GAP website contains very detailed information about ownership, applications and events: http://gap.grv.org.au

There are also various organised greyhound walks and playgroups all over Melbourne and a great Facebook group called FOGAP (Friends of greyhound adoption program) for all things greyhound.

We also have a van load of Christmas Hampers full of treats and toys for your dog - just spend $50 on dog food or supplies and we will send a hamper out!

Pet Horse & Farm is looking for great photos of your pets! 

We are after models (both animals & owners) to photograph then print on the side for our new PHF delivery van.
 
The winner of this competition will receive a FREE Professional Photography Session for your pets & family*. 
 
Please post your best pet photo to our Facebook wall, tag @pethorsefarm on Instagram or email to sales@pethorsefarm.com.au to enter the competition.
One photo entry per person please. 
 
We are looking forward to seeing your Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Birds & other fury friends! 

All Animals Welcome!

Check out the entries so far on our Instagram page: Click on Buddy the pup below!

http://instagram.com/pethorsefarm

In 2014 the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup were won by horses from Japan, the UK and Germany respectively. Pet Horse & Farm is responsible for sourcing, sometimes manufacturing and supplying all of the feed, bedding and supplements these world class athletes require.

In the last two months we have supplied everything from our premium Yarran Oats, to luscious lucerne hay and soft stable shavings, but the most popular item has been… CARROTS!

On Wednesday 5 November we had a special request from Protectionist (runaway Melbourne Cup winner) who needed some carrots and given his performance on the first Tuesday in November we were more than happy to oblige.

We also support lots of local Flemington trainers and we were very glad to see customers Chris Waller, Mick Cerci and Nigel Blackiston win some big races over the carnival. 

In the lead up to these world class thoroughbreds touching down, Pet Horse & Farm and Dr Peter Huntington, Leading Equine Nutritionist from Kentucky Equine Research, have been helping to master a range of custom horse mixes specific to the needs of international trainers chasing the spoils of the Melbourne Cup – the world’s richest staying race.

The 2014 carnival will be the 20^th year Racing Victoria, Pet Horse & Farm and the international ‘raiders’ have teamed up. 2014 also sees the return of old warrior and Melbourne Cup placegetter, Red Cadeaux, who requires his own ‘seniors’ diet.

For a great read about the world of globetrotting thoroughbreds and the importance of getting their feed right, check out this article from the European Trainer magazine: The Challenge of Feeding Globetrotting Horses.

We also have a long standing relationship with local Flemington trainers including the Cummings stable, supplying feed for most of his Melbourne Cup triumphs.

We are happy to develop mixes for any of our customers, or if there is an equine product that you can’t find online please call 1300362326 and I’m sure we can find it for you.

When the couple faced the challenge to design a dining display that was both sustainable and stylish they dreamed up an intelligent solution: reusable, recyclable straw.

A quick search online and Max discovered why Pet, Horse and Farm is Melbourne’s first choice when it comes to quality, price and service. We were delighted to put our home and business delivery service into action, promptly arriving with enough bales of hay to decorate the Mexican-themed display at the Queen Victoria Market.

We might be bias but we thought Max and Karstan were clear winners with their spectacular straw from Pet, Horse and Farm. Our straw travels all over Melbourne and beyond, whether it’s for bedding for famous racehorses or to line the sheds for backyard chooks, we will select and deliver the best for your needs. 

Take some time to look around our website and remember we take all the hard work out of shopping and delivery.

Head to The Block website to see how our straw was used!

Pet Horse and Farm recently sponsored Nick Gleeson, vision impaired athlete and international explorer, in his successful completion of a marathon on a cool Melbourne morning.

We asked Nick to tell us a little bit about the relationship between a vision impaired person and their Seeing Eye dog and we think his thoughts make pretty good reading for any fellow pet lover!

“I sit at my computer and want to write about my wonderful Seeing Eye dog called Unity, but the words are hard to find, hard to find because he is so much part of me.  His name is Unity, and, he is now almost 6 years old, a gorgeous golden retriever who is often described as a lion (we think Unity has picked up the lion-like courage from his owner!).

Unity is my first Seeing Eye Dog and destiny brought us together. I was in Melbourne at an AGM where Unity was doing his public relations role as he had just finished his training to become a working dog.  He came over to me and sat on my feet.  I knew the very moment I touched him, I so wanted him.  However, of cause, there is a waiting list, a process that needs to ensure each partnership between dog and person is suitable and we had to wait.  It seemed such a long time waiting, however, the reality was that we were assessed and found to be a great match. And, the time frame between meeting and becoming a partnership was very fast.

We have now been together four years and it is fantastic. We both experience separation anxiety when we are not together.  I am lucky that he does not show outward distress when I leave him but it is awful when I am away from him for a few days. 

Unity is far more than just a “working dog”, he is a tremendous friend. A great support with everyday living and brings joy into my life.  I love how he guides me around objects on footpaths and through a crowd. I love how every step I take he is watching out for me and to think that is his role in life is so amazing.  He can be quite stubborn at times, especially when we have had a very long day, catching trains, buses, taxis and walking as he will make decisions such as using the lift rather than the stairs, which is fine, only that I had told him to find the stairs, smiling.

I love how unity will find things when I need them, for example, I just say to him, “find the stairs”, “find a seat” or “find the gate”, and he does it.

I was at a Meeting recently where the group witnessed one of Unity’s dream specialties.  When he dreams he will often be so vocal and we can only imagine what is happening.  His favourite leisure time is chewing on a bone, which I love giving him as I always think that is his link to his history and his reward for being such a fabulous boy. 

He has had a profound impact on my life and I love him so much.”

If you would like to support Seeing Eye Dogs Australia or Blind Sports Victoria please go to their websites listed below.

https://seda.visionaustralia.org/

http://www.blindsports.org.au/

“Many thanks, appreciate your great service”

 “It’s here already!  Great service.“

“Thanks very much.  I’d be happy to recommend you to others.”

“Terrific service thank you. When I used to purchase it from the store I had to wait until one of my children unpacked it for me - love the delivery service”

If you have any problems or can’t find something you need please call 1300362326 or send an enquiry to sales@pethorsefarm.com.au