Engagement and Research Outcomes

In 2021 we sought feedback on the Domestic Animal Management Plan, our plan for managing cats and dogs in our community, we heard from the community that a potential solution to cat issues was a cat curfew. This year during May and June we asked for your feedback on a cat curfew and heard from 1,986 people. Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback on a cat curfew.

The main concerns we heard from our community were:

• nuisance cats
• overpopulation
• attacks on wildlife

A large number of people expressed their interest in a cat curfew.

Council officers also researched these issues, and gathered information from other Councils, the RSPCA and other animal organisations, and industry experts. From this research, we heard from the experts that implementing and enforcing a curfew is not the best way to address these issues. They suggested other strategies including:

• investing in cat desexing
• encouraging cat ownership
• educating about responsible cat ownership including keeping cats safe at home.

Council Consideration

We presented a report with a recommendation to the Council Meeting on 7 December 2022. The report used the findings from our engagement and other research to outline the best ways to address the issues raised.

We recommended a strong education campaign on the benefits of keeping cats at home, cat desexing and increasing the value of cats through responsible cat ownership. At the meeting Council considered the report and heard comments from members of the public.

Council decided on an alternate motion that focused on unowned and semi-owned cats as a more effective way to keep cats and wildlife safe. They also requested a report to be presented in 2023 that focuses on unowned and semi-owned cats and takes a multi-pronged approach to dealing with the issue of over-population of cats.

You can watch a recording of the Council Meeting on our Facebook page.

Next Steps

We will prepare a report to be presented to Council in 2023 on a range of proposals and recommendations including:

• a targeted desexing program of unowned and semi-owned cats
• information on other local councils that have implemented cat management strategies including cat curfews
• an education program to support residents in keeping their cats at home
• consideration of the number of cats brought into the Epping Animal Welfare Facility
• impacts on wildlife and budget.

This list of recommendations is largely consistent with the objectives in section 4 of the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021 – 2025 that contribute to addressing overpopulation rates for cats.

In the meantime, we will continue to encourage residents who feed cats but do not ‘own’ them, to take ownership of these cats and provide them with the best possible care by desexing, microchipping and registering them. Our free cat desexing program continues for Merri-bek residents who have a concession card.