Pet education

Our free pet resources and education programs can help you learn how to reduce and manage problem behaviours and be a responsible pet owner to keep the community safe.

Be Pet Smart – school based education

Our free, interactive presentations teach children to:

understand pet owner responsibilities and rules
identify dog body language and safe behaviour around dogs
discover Council's role in managing responsible pet ownership
appreciate the connection between responsible pet ownership and the community.

Book a presentation

An Animal Management host will bring our mascots, Gee Cee the dog and Cee Cee the cat to visit your early learning childhood centre, primary school, outside school hours care group or vacation care centre. Together they will deliver a fun presentation about dog safety and being a responsible pet owner.

To enquire please complete the form below and email it to bepetsmartshow@aeevents.com.au.

Book a free 'Be Pet Smart' presentation(PDF, 124KB)

Education and displays at events

Our Animal Management team delivers interactive displays at community and pet events, open days and expos to educate the community about responsible pet ownership and dog bite prevention. Displays can include:

3m x 3m or 6m x 3m indoor or outdoor space
educational resources including brochures, fact sheets and fun activities for kids
our Be Pet Smart live performance featuring an Animal Management host and our mascots Gee Cee the dog and Cee Cee the cat can be requested as part of your application .

book a pet event presentation

Information sessions

One of our experienced officers can deliver a free presentation and answer questions about:

state and local laws for keeping animals
common complaints and the City's process for dealing with requests
Council's role in managing responsible pet ownership
how the community can assist us with animal-related issues
discuss responsible pet ownership and free education programs available.

To make an enquiry about an information session please email loveyourpet@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

Walk with me sessions – coming in 2026

Join our pet experts and trainers on a dogs-only walk. It's a ‘pawfect’ opportunity to get active and learn more about your pooch, as well as:

dog body language and behaviours
off leash area etiquette
socialisation
lead aggression
dog walking tips and skills.

To join a walk, your dog must be:

on a leash when you arrive
currently registered with City of Gold Coast and wearing their registration tag
fully vaccinated and in good health with up-to-date flea/worm treatment (within 3 weeks of the walk).

If your dog displays problem behaviour that may negatively impact the group or your dog's future socialisation, trainers will speak with you and offer alternative advice so you can achieve a better outcome for you and your pet.

Participants acknowledge and agree that attending these walks is at their own risk. Participants release City of Gold Coast from all claims and liability arising from any injury, loss or damage to any property, arising from attendance to the walk.

Our popular 'Walk with me' sessions will return in 2026. Bookings are not open yet but check back here for updates.

We care about PETS

Pet Education and Training Sessions (PETS) provide 'paw-rents' with a better understanding of responsible pet ownership.

Pet experts deliver information about:

how to keep pets and the community safe by identifying body language and etiquette
how to manage behaviour issues, such as barking and avoid dangers to wildlife.

These sessions will return in 2027.