A Domestic Animal Management Plan is a Council document that focuses on the management of dogs and cats, and outlines the key issues, objectives and priorities for how these will be managed.

Under the provisions of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 each Victorian Council is required to prepare a domestic animal management plan at four-yearly intervals. A Domestic Animal Management Plan outlines the services, programs and policies the Council has established to address the administration of the Act and the management of cats and dogs in the community.

The aim of the Domestic Animal Management Plan is to promote responsible pet ownership and the welfare of cats and dogs in the community, whilst protecting the community and environment from nuisance cats and dogs.

The Domestic Animal Management Plan will also be used to build alignment in our partnerships with organisations in the community, such as animal shelters, animal welfare organisations, domestic animal interest groups, community environment groups, and local businesses who are working towards the same goals.

This plan is important to:

• Encourage responsible pet ownership to minimise the risk of dog attacks on people and animals.
• Encourage pet owners to register their dogs and cats so their animal can be easily identified. This ensures that Council has an effective way to identify dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs to keep the community safe.
• Investigate ways to reduce the chance of dogs and cats creating a public nuisance.
• Review ideas to prevent the over-population, and euthanasia (permanent putting to sleep) of domestic animals.
• Ensure pet owners take responsibility for their animal’s behaviour.

Darebin

Reservoir Vet Clinic

RSPCA Vic (Inspectorate)

Pet-O Preston

Whittlesea

Cat Protection Society

Second Chance Animal Rescue

Bundoora Vet

Merri-bek

Friends of Merri Creek

Pascoe Vale Veterinary Clinic

Project Underdog Rescue

We have committed to exploring the feasibility of the introduction of a 24-hour cat curfew in Merri-bek. It is important for us to do research into the impacts a cat curfew has on our community and to determine if a cat curfew is the best solution to resolving the issues of overpopulation, trespass, nuisance and impact on wildlife.

In your feedback we heard that nuisance cats are an issue for our community. A cat curfew may be one way of addressing this however it’s important we consider all options. We will also be continuing our programs, data gathering and exploring alternative ways Council can have an impact on the overpopulation of stray cats. Our free cat desexing program and mandatory desexing of cats before registration in Merri-bek have a great impact on the numbers of stray cats in our municipality.

We will continue to review the provision of dog poo bag dispensers and bins. We acknowledge this is an issue for our community especially with the growing use of our open spaces by all users. We are also committed to educating dog owners on responsible pet ownership including picking up after your dog.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 the Victorian Government requires pet Greyhounds to be on a leash in public places. They are still able to utilise the existing enclosed dog park facilities provided they are leashed at all times. At present, the municipality provides a range of dog-friendly spaces, including two small dog parks and four larger dog parks, with a seventh enclosed park currently under development. Greyhounds can be safely exercised at the Galloping Yard facility at The Meadows in Broadmeadows

Yes! We received lots of valuable feedback from the community as part of the dog walking engagement. We will share that data with the consultants who are helping us to write the new Plan.