Consultation on a new policy for managing pet cats in the ACT closes tomorrow (28 June).
Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said the Draft ACT Cat Plan sought to manage cats for their health, welfare, and safety as well as protect native wildlife.
Mr Steel said more than 2,700 people and organisations had already submitted surveys or written submissions.
“It’s estimated about a quarter of Canberra households own a cat,” Mr Steel said.
“Cats provide love and companionship to many. In return, it is essential we provide safe and happy homes for them,” he said.
“The draft cat plan supports a vision where all cats will be owned, wanted and cared for by responsible owners.”
He said many Canberrans enjoyed living close to nature, however this often meant native wildlife was vulnerable to predation from cats.
“It is important we have a conversation on how we can all work to protect our environment from cats as well as keeping our cats safe,” Mr Steel said.
“Without a community-supported cat plan, we will continue to see both animal welfare issues and significant environmental impacts from cats in the ACT.”
He said considerable feedback had been received on a range of cat management issues and proposed actions including cat containment, de-sexing, cat registration and the control of unowned and stray cats.
The draft plan has been developed as a priority under the ACT Government’s Animal Welfare and Management Plan 2017-22 and the consultation also formed part of a broader discussion on responsible pet ownership in the ACT.
The 33-page Draft Cat Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
