Pets ahoy at National Wool Museum

Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj with his dog Mika. (Supplied)

The National Wool Museum has put out the call for locals to submit photos of their salty sea dogs and water-loving cats.

The museum will use submitted pictures of local pets adventuring on, in or beside the ocean for a digital display as part of the upcoming Cats and Dogs All At Sea exhibition.

The touring exhibition from the Australian National Maritime Museum features photos by Sydney photographer Sam Hood, who captured just how much dogs and cats were cherished by those on sea voyages during 1900-1950s.

The exhibition will also feature objects from the Geelong Naval and Maritime Collection, including celestial navigation tools, a ship builder’s model of the SS Courier and a photograph album documenting the 1934 Royal Cruise of HMAS Australia II with the Duke of Gloucester and his dogs.

National Wool Museum director Padraic Fisher invited the community to join in and be a part of the exhibition.

“This is your chance to be part of the Cats and Dogs All at Sea exhibition, share your story and celebrate your animal companion,” Mr Fisher said.

“So, come aboard, join the fun and be part of the crew at your Museum. You might also win one of five family memberships to the Museum for 2025.”

Cats and Dogs All At Sea runs from Friday, February 14 until Sunday, July 20. Submit your photograph at geelong.link/All-at-Sea before Monday, July 14 for a chance to have your pet featured, with all submissions going in the running to win one of five family memberships to the museum.