RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNERSHIP

POLICY - Adopted 15 October 2007 - Min. Ref.: 325/07

PURPOSE

Council recognises the companionship cats provide to their owners can lead to enhanced human well-being and can promote a sense of care and responsibility. However, whilst cats are important companion animals in our society (it is estimated one in three households in Tasmania has at least one cat), there are also costs associated with cats.  These costs do not just relate to the monetary expense of providing appropriate care, but also include neighbourhood inconvenience and nuisance, predation on native wildlife and animal welfare concerns relating to homeless and mistreated cats.
Council has no legislated responsibilities regarding cats, as is the case with dogs (Council's roles and responsibilities are mandated in the State's Dog Control Act 2000).  However, Council is committed to encouraging responsible cat ownership in order to allow cat owners to enjoy their pets whilst minimising the negative impact of cats on neighbours and the environment.
This Policy has been developed to improve animal welfare and to reduce the incidence of nuisance attributed to cats by providing information and guidance to cat owners.  The Policy highlights the responsibilities of cat owners to their cats and to the community in which we live.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Policy are:
1.To actively promote responsible cat ownership;
2.To minimise the public distress and nuisance caused by roaming and homeless cats.

BEING A RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNER

A responsible cat owner:
1.Ensures the decision to own a cat is undertaken with full understanding of what is involved in caring responsibly for a cat.
2.Provides the cat with a nutritional and balanced diet, and access to fresh water at all times.
3.Provides hygienic living conditions for the cat, and ensures the cat is adequately protected from weather and temperature extremes.
4.Maintains the cat's health in accordance with veterinary advice.
5.Unless specifically intended for breeding, has the cat desexed by the age of six months at the very latest.
6.Ensures the cat wears identification in the form of a traditional collar and tag, a tattoo or microchip, or a combination of all three.
7.When going away from home for an extended period of time, ensures the cat is cared for by another responsible owner or placed in a cattery.
8.Makes arrangements to pass their cat onto another responsible cat owner in the event of no longer being able to keep or care for the cat.  If a suitable home cannot be found for the cat, the owner takes the cat to the RSPCA.

EDUCATION

Council produces and widely disseminates a user-friendly pamphlet which provides information on responsible cat ownership.
Council recommends schools educate students on responsible cat ownership by utilising the lesson plan on this topic produced by the Fox Free Taskforce - available at www.parks.tas.gov.au/education/fox/section18.pdf
Council commits to working with relevant agencies/organisations to plan and carry through community education programs that promote responsible cat ownership, including cat microchipping sessions.