Pets other than cats or dogs

When you are deciding what sort of pet you would like to adopt, consider how much maintenance you are willing to take on.

Dogs and cats are popular choices for pets. Find out the responsibilities of owning a dog or a cat.

Birds

Some birds have very long life spans, so check the breeds you are interested in to find out how long a commitment you'll be making. If a bird is the right pet for you, you'll need to make sure:

• the bird’s natural call and vocalisation does not disrupt or inhibit an activity ordinarily carried out in the surrounding neighbourhood
• the bird's cage is clean and there's plenty of room
• there's fresh water and food
• if you put your bird outside make sure it is safe from predators, such as cats and wild birds. Don't leave them sitting in direct sunlight or in cold winds
• don’t leave uneaten pet food outside and keep all food containers securely sealed to avoid attracting pest or stray animals
• keep your bird inside or secured in a dark spot from dusk to dawn
• if you intend to keep domestic and/or racing pigeons it is encouraged to speak with your neighbours first about the times you will be exercising your birds so they are aware of any expected impacts to their property as Council is unable to respond to complaints regarding domestic pigeons landing outside of their enclosure while being exercised.

Some birds require a licence from the state government to keep. For more information visit the Queensland Government website.

Chickens

There are many popular breeds of chickens you can consider for backyard pets including but not limited to:

• Lowman Brown
• ISA Brown
• Black Australorp
• White Leghorn
• Rhode Island Red.

You could also consider a fluffy bantam for a smaller variety of chicken.

Council does not allow roosters on any premises in a residential area. You can have roosters in rural areas provided they don't create a noise nuisance. It may be best to purchase chickens from a reliable supplier to ensure they are hens.

If you are keeping chickens, you will need to ensure you have a current permit.

Ducks and Geese

Ducks and geese are other kinds of domestic poultry that can be kept along with or instead of chickens. These poultry also require a permit.

Both ducks and geese have very specific requirements for housing, food and access to clean, fresh water and it is strongly recommended to research the commitments required for each species of bird before purchasing these poultry as some can live up to 20 years.

Geese can be noisy, even at night, and require large areas of grass for grazing so may not be a suitable choice for small residential blocks.

Fish

If you're setting up an aquarium make sure you research the fish types so the ones you choose are compatible.

Water quality and temperature are very important. Many fish die because the water is too hot or too cold, has the wrong PH level or an inappropriate level of salt.

There are many types of fish, including:

• gold fish – they require the least care and expense, but still need regular feeding and tank maintenance
• tropical fish – need to be kept at suitable temperatures
• salt-water fish – also need to be kept at suitable temperatures and require the most care and expense

Guinea pigs, rats and mice

Guinea pigs, rats and mice are very friendly, particularly if they get a lot of human company. They don't require the time commitment of dogs, cats and birds, which can make them a good pet for children. However, they have a short life expectancy.

If you have one of these pets you'll need:

• a good clean cage to keep your animal in and keep predators out
• fresh water and food

Remember, these are all rodents and are very quick to multiply in numbers if you have a breeding pair.

Peafowl (Peacock and Peahen)

Peafowl is a group term referring to both the male peacocks and the female peahens. They are a large, attractive bird native to places like India and Sri Lanka but have been introduced to Brisbane as a domestic fowl. Since being introduced, there are now significant wild populations of peafowl around some Brisbane suburbs.

Peafowl have a very loud call that can be heard up to several kilometres away and may occur any time during the day or night, especially during their breeding season which can last any time between late August and early January. They can cause significant damage to landscaping and gardens through their digging and to any cars and furniture they roost on due to their sharp claws.

To deter peafowl from remaining in an area try to limit food sources such as pet food left out in the open as they are omnivorous.

If you are keeping peafowl or are feeding roaming peafowl in a suburb within Brisbane City Council, you are considered to be their keeper and are required to comply with the requirements of the Animals Local Law 2017. This includes keeping the fowl contained to your property and acquiring / maintaining a permit for keeping livestock and poultry.

Reptiles and amphibians

Pet reptiles and amphibians include frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles.

You'll need to research carefully before deciding on a pet reptile or amphibian. Each type has their own requirements and can have very long life expectancies.

You may need a licence from the state government for keeping reptiles or amphibians. For more information see the Queensland Government website.