A quick glance at the Narromine Shire Council Facebook page and you could be forgiven for thinking the council has gone to the dogs!

There is a definite focus on man’s best friend, which is a great reminder that need dogs need our care and attention at all times.

Narromine Shire remind residents that responsible pet ownership is key to keeping our best mates safe and happy.

-         Microchip and register your dog, and keep those details updated. It's their ticket home if they ever get lost.

-         Secure your dog within your property. No roaming adventures without supervision!

-         Keep your dog on a lead in public areas. Safety first.

-         Off-leash fun? Stick to designated areas like the pawsome dog park at Rotary Park in Narromine. It's got everything your dog will need for a tail-wagging good time!

-         Training time! Well-trained puppies are less likely to be involved in incidents. Plus, it's a great bonding experience!

-         Exercise = happy dog! Regular walks and playtime keeps dogs healthy and less likely to be ruff around others.

While around 81 per cent of dogs are desexed, according to the RSPCA, this unneutered demographic leads to lots of unwanted puppies. And if that’s not a reason to desex your dog, think of the savings in registration fees. For example, in Sydney, the cost of registering a neutered dog is 29.4 per cent cheaper than an unneutered dog.

Narromine Shire is supporting residents to desex their dogs by announcing a free desexing program is soon to visit the area.

“We're excited to announce that a FREE desexing program will soon be visiting the area to ensure the health and safety of our pets,” they said. “Stay tuned to Narromine Shire Council's social media pages and Council Column for upcoming details. We can all work together to keep our best mates safe, happy and healthy!”

Unfortunately it’s not too healthy to be in the Narromine Animal Shelter at the moment with its closure due to a highly contagious disease.

“The Narromine Animal Shelter has recently received several surrendered puppies infected with Canine parvovirus,” Narromine Shire announced on its social media pages. “This is a highly contagious disease that requires immediate veterinary care.”

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs that commonly causes acute gastrointestinal illness in puppies. The disease most often strikes in pups between six and 20 weeks old, but older animals are sometimes also affected.

Council has consulted with veterinary services and taken corrective action and placed the Animal Shelter under quarantine.

Narromine Shire Council will not be able to accept any further animals until the virus has been eliminated. Council will inform residents when the Shelter will reopen.