This is Ranger- not only is he super-cute, but he is also micro-chipped (and registered), de-sexed and kept indoors. The owner got him from the RSPCA, who arranged the microchip and de-sexing before making him available for adoption. While he was there, he was also vet-checked and given worm and flea treatments. Tori, the owner, recommends all residents check out the RSPCA when looking for a new pet, as they send out all of their animals "Legislation Ready"
WA State Government is taking steps to require these measures to manage domestic cats. A recent PhD at Murdoch Uni studied the effect of cats on bio- diversity in suburban environments. One interesting fact to arise from the student’s thesis was that owners are generally supportive, being motivated mainly by concerns for safety of their cat, rather than for preservation of native wildlife.
Many Councils already have cat laws. In Darwin, for example, by-laws require cats to be properly contained in the owners’ property, under effective control by the owner, and on a lead or enclosed in a suitable container when away from their home. Stiff fines apply if a cat is captured while ‘at large’.
Swan Council in WA allows residents to trap cats found on their property, and the cat owners don’t have to be told. The City of Swan houses the trapped cats for collection or re-homing; owners have to pay a $100 fine to get their pet back. The Perth Cat Haven – which receives more than ten thousand stray cats each year – believes the laws should make micro-chipping of all cats compulsory.
Increasing numbers of local governments around the country are imposing night-time curfews to minimise neighbourhood nuisance issues and protect native wildlife.
Is your feline friend "Legislation Ready"?
3 comments:
My cat of 17 years who spent nights inside and days in the front garden waiting for her family to come home went missing from Como. She was found almost 8 weeks later in Salter Pt thrown in a drain in a plastic bag tied at the top. She had identification and the kind person who found her called vis the disc to report his find. The three children in this household who grew up with this pet were devastated. Wildlife needs protection but so do our pets and pet owners who do the right thing - and this should not be seen as open invitation to attack all cats. A number of other cats have gone missing in this neighbourhood!
Given all the publicity the traps have received they have proven to be useful and it would appear that there are more people in favour of the traps than those against it.
I have two indoors cats that are 8 years old and they are both microchipped and registered through "lost dogs" in Melb as there was no registration services available in Perth. I have trained them since they where kittens to walk on a harness and lead so they get to enjoy a walk outside around the garden. I know that there are lots of cat haters out there and I have always been concerned for their safety as well as for the wildlife. Being a pet nanny I have many clients that are responsible owners and have their cats indoors at night and some during the day. Others have cat enclosure so puss can still enjoy their own backyard without the risk of being lost, hurt or worse and they leave the birds alone. My heart goes out to the family of the 17 year old cat that was probably minding her own business in her own backyard:( I hope that they catch and penalise the low lives that are murdering families beloved pets. I also live in Como and have noticed that there seems to be alot of cats that have gone missing recently!
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