A petition is underway to amend the Companion Animals Act (1998) to confine domestic cats, according to Allan Benson, a community member of Central Coast Council’s Companion Animal Advisory Committee.
“The petition has gathered more than 5,000 signatures in the seven days since it was launched by Allen Greer, a retired biologist from Mudgee,” Benson said.
“Mr Greer launched this petition because of concerns of domestic cats being a nuisance for neighbours and killing wildlife.
“Amending the Act would be a significant milestone.
“The key to preventing cats roaming is for cat owners to realise that it is in their cat’s, and the community’s, best interest that cats be confined to the owner’s property.
“This is because a cat that is confined has a life expectancy of up to 18 years whereas a cat that is allowed to roam has a life expectancy of only two to five years, according to research by the CSIRO.
“Roaming cats are killed by cars, attacked by dogs and other cats and are more likely to fall victim to diseases such as feline HIV and cat flu.”
Benson said Central Coast Council actively promoted responsible cat ownership because of concerns of cats being a nuisance and killing wildlife.
“Based on the data provided by the CSIRO, domestic cats on the Central Coast predate an estimated 3.8 million birds, mammals and reptiles per year,” he said.
“The extensive urban/bushland interface on the Central Coast provides ample opportunity for domestic cats to interact with wildlife.”
The last local government conference passed a resolution that the Companion Animals Act be amended.
“The has not drawn a response from the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock,” Benson said.
“There is legislative precedent, as the ACT passed legislation that all cats must be confined from July 1, 2022.”
Benson said the petition was available through an internet search “petition to confine domestic cats in NSW”.
Source:
Media release, June 17
Allan Benson
Could you please print the web address for the Amendment for companion animal act by Greg Benson
Hooray for Mr Greer! Our local fauna rejoice that someone is finally trying to do something about the on-going cat menace!
my wife and I were very active around the time of the companion act of 1997 lobbying environmental groups, bird clubs ect to forward submissions to the companion animal committee calling for curfews and desexing of domestic cats.
We thought we had some chance but it soon became evident that this was not to be, when big money vested interests funded billboards all over Sydney showing a very old lady with her cats and claims that her cats would be taken from her. John Laws became very vocal on radio and print calling the minister Ernie Page a nazi. The state Liberal party opposition of the time said they would oppose many recommendations in the act if they were voted in, in
the oncoming election. When the act went to the Legislative Council the Hon R.S.L. Jones spoke vigorously against many of the proposals that would have protected wildlife at the same time as lauding the wonders of companion animals.
It was all to much and we were left with an act that did not protect our precious wildlife and offered no solace to those who desire to protect native birds and wildlife on their own properties.
One of the recommendations in the white paper Companion Animals Act was that there be a education programme to
educate the public as to the need for non compulsory curfews, desexing and other issues relating to cats and dogs. It has been 23 years since the Companion Animal Act was introduced and I have never witnessed any such adds.
Free roaming cats have caused my wife and myself much anguish over the last 30 years that we have lived in the beautiful urban/bushland area where we live. I despair of anything positive happening in regard to curfews but live in hope.