Home & Lifestyle Winter 2022

APPLY NOW FOR REBATES

If it's too cold for you - it's too cold for pets too U nfortunately, we see a spike in cases of neglect during winter. Never underestimate how much animals feel the cold. Outside and indoor pets need proper bedding at all times, especially during winter. Always ensure your pets bedding is raised off the floor, with a mat or cushioned bed, and away from any cold drafts. Be mindful of the risks for pets if they are outdoors in cold weather. They require a safe, dry and warm place protected from rain and wind to bunker down during the colder months. In extreme cold, pets should be brought indoors. If this isn’t possible, then shelters such as dog kennels should be large enough for the animal to move around while small enough for them to retain some body heat. Additional bedding may also be needed to ensure your animal keeps warm and changed frequently incase it gets damp. Be aware that smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs are especially prone to rapid drops in body temperature if exposed to cold conditions – bringing them into warmth indoors is their best protection. You might notice a change in your pet’s preferences during winter, with your cat or dog choosing to sleep next to your heater or under a blanket. It’s important to supervise your animal when they choose to sleep near the warmth of a heater or fire – they run the risk of drying out their skin and even receiving burns if they sleep too close. A guard around heaters is recommended, not only for the safety of pets but also children. Older animals, animals with health conditions such as arthritis and those with short fur may require a warm, fitted coat to help them maintain their body temperature. Cats and kittens, and even native animals like possums, may seek out the warmth of car engines, so if you hear unusual noises coming from beneath your car bonnet, get a torch and take a thorough look before you start the engine. Food intake may need to be increased - Animals may require more food during cold weather, as it takes more energy to regulate their body temperature in the cold. And remember that access to water during cold weather is still important, so check outdoor water bowls and troughs aren’t frozen and provide more than one water source where possible. If you live in an area prone to super cold mornings, we recommend replacing your pet’s metal bowl with a heavy plastic one. Farm animals feel the cold too - Maintaining adequate body weight and offering shelter in a draft-free, dry environment will drastically improve the welfare of farm animals. Communal living offers farm animals a chance to create their own heat. Cattle and sheep will huddle beside one another, sharing heat generated by their bodies, but they still require shelter, especially in storms. Establishing windbreaks such as trees can provide some shelter during storms, but ideally three-sided shelters should be available for animals to escape the cold, rain and wind. For horses, a quality rug may help in winter. However, rugs on horses can cause significant welfare issues if not used properly – and may not be needed at all. For more information, refer to RSPCA Australia’s knowledge base article – “Do I need to rug my horse?”. During winter, chickens will spend more time indoors, and this can lead to increased levels of ammonia within the air. To ensure ammonia doesn’t become a health concern, it’s important to clean the coop frequently. Regularly replenishing straw and incorporating a dust bath within the coop will help to keep your chickens both warm and mentally stimulated during the colder months. If you notice an animal in distress or to report cruelty, please immediately call the RSPCA 24-hour hotline on 1300 278 3589

The Family Energy Rebate - gives eligible energy account holders a credit on an energy bill of up to $180 to help NSW family households with dependent children cover the costs of their energy bills. To be eligible for the NSW Family Energy Rebate in a given financial year, you must: • be a NSW resident • be the account holder of an energy retailer • have been the recipient of the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) for the previous financial year and have had your entitlement to the FTB payments finalised by Centrelink • ensure the person in your household who's registered as the FTB recipient lodges the application. If you receive your energy bill from a strata manager or community/ village operator, visit Apply for the Family Energy Rebate (on supply customers). The LowIncomeHouseholdRebate helps low income NSWhouseholds cover the costs of their energy bills. It is paid once each financial year. You'll receive the rebate as a credit on each quarterly energy bill, up to a total of $285 year. The amount is calculated daily from the day you call your retailer and apply. Check the eligibility requirements to see if you can apply. How to apply • Call your energy provider. • Provide your concession card or Health Care Card details. • Ask for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate to be applied to your account. • Request confirmation that the rebate has been applied. The NSW Seniors Energy Rebate is available for eligible independent self-funded retirees to help cover the cost of their electricity. Gas accounts are not included. • To be eligible you need to hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). These cards are issued by either Services Australia or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). • The rebate is $200 per household, per financial year, and if your application is successful it will be paid directly into your nominated bank or credit union account. • Note: Pensioners and veteransmay be eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate for on supply customers or retail customers. Apply for the Gas Rebate • You'll receive the rebate as a credit on each quarterly gas bill, up to a total of $110/year. The amount is calculated daily from the day you call your supplier and apply. You can apply for the NSW Gas Rebate if: • you're a NSW resident • you're an account holder of a gas retailer • Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia • Health Care Card issued by Services Australia, or DVA Gold Card marked with either 'War Widow' or 'War Widower Pension', or 'Totally and Permanently Incapacitated' (TPI) or 'Disability Pension' (EDA). If you're an on supply customer and receive your gas bill from the strata manager or community/village operator, please visit Apply for the Gas Rebate (on supply and bottled gas households). Use our Savings Finder to find savings relevant for you. 1. Just click through 6 simple questions. 2. We'll give you a personalised list of savings. 3. Apply online or in person - we'll show you how. www.service. nsw.gov.au/campaign/cost-living or Phone 13 77 88

* 2022 Family Energy Rebatewill close at 11pmon 30 June 2022

8 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2022