Overview
We love our pets. Around 40 per cent of Australian households own a dog and 27 per cent own a cat, adding up to an estimated 5.1 million dogs and 3.8 million cats throughout the nation. Dogs and cats provide companionship and unconditional affection, and really are the “best friends” of many of their owners. A recent survey showed that 60 per cent of dog and cat owners refer to their pet as a member of the family and around half allow their pets to share their bed. Dogs and cats are often given human names and treated as coddled “fur babies”.
The most popular dog pure-breeds are Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Chihuahua and Golden Retriever; however, in recent years, mixed-breed dogs, in particular poodle-crosses, have become increasingly common. Sought-after cat breeds include Domestic Shorthair, Bengal, Siberian, Persian, Abyssinian, Australian Mist, Burmese, Siamese, Russian Blue and Ragdoll. The stamp issue features six of our “best friends”.
Technical specifications
- Issue date
- 18 February 2025
- Issue withdrawal date
- 1 September 2025
- Denomination
- 4 X $1.50
- Stamp typography & product design
- Sharon Rodziewicz, Australia Post Design Studio
- Paper: gummed
- Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor/Blue PVA Stamp Paper
- Printer: gummed
- EGO
- Printing process
- Offset lithography
- Stamp size (mm)
- 26 x 37.5
- Minisheet size (mm)
- 170 x 80
- Perforations
- 13.86 x 14.6
- Sheet layout
- Module of 50 (2 x 25)
- FDI postmark
- Mount Barker SA 5251
- FDI withdrawal date
- 19 March 2025
$1.50 Pockets and Pippin
Pockets is a Cavoodle (Poodle x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and his friend Pippin is a Labradoodle (Poodle x Labrador Retriever).
The photograph is by Ruthless Photos.
$1.50 Louis
The inquisitive puppy is Louis, a Malamute x Spitz.
The photograph is by Ruthless Photos.
$1.50 Romeo and Joe
The pair of cats, Romeo and Joe, are both Siberians, a relatively recent breed in Australia, descended from Russian forest cats.
The photograph is by Furry Munchkins Pet Photography.
$1.50 Araya
Araya is a sweet Domestic Shorthair kitten with tortoiseshell markings.
The photograph is by Charlotte Reeves Photography.
