9 Lives Cat Rescue had the privilage of being asked to do a presentation on our organisation and our views on the new proposed cat legislation for WA at the Cat Welfare and Managment Symposium on Sept 18th here in Perth.
Despite a lack of attendance by many who said they would be there, the important welfare groups were present and a wonderful series of presentations were heard. We had the opportunity to meet and network with so many fabulous people in the cat welfare industry. Pat Anderson of the Toodyay Trap Neuter Release program, Michelle Williamson from Pet Rescue and Eric Yeoh from Noahs Ark were our biggest inspirations.
Pat through alot of hard work and support has created a successful TNR program in Toodyay to help tackle the feral cat problems in rural areas and is now working in Northam. She showed us just how much one person can achieve!
Michelle gave us an inspirational presentation on thinking outside of the square when it comes to advertising and adopting out shelter animals. Too often we rely on the guilt trips and sob stories to appeal to the public when trying to re home shelter animals when in fact it is these very things that is turning them off adopting rescue companions. Needless to say we are rethinking our approach to rehoming our cats and will be looking at people friendly, positive language and campaign's in order to appeal to the public in the future.
Eric Yeoh was someone we were extrememly keen on meeting as he has a wealth of information on Trap Neuter Release programs and did a wonderful presentation on the much anticipated Spay Station being created for HighVolume /Low Cost Spey/Neuter of animals in Perth. This project will assist with stemming the over population of animals we currently have in this city. Eric provided us with much information and research on TNR and how we can start influencing the change from 'kill all feral cats' to 'looking at alternatives'. Its an uphill battle we are willing to take on.
Of course there were the bigger organisations present also such as Cat Haven and RSPCA but the main focus seemed to be on the smaller, newer and more progressive groups who are willing to look at alternatives to the usual methods being employed to handle cats in this city instead of the outdated methods that are clearly not working.
We were informed by many that our presentation was refreshing and well recieved which is encouraging for us to hear. It was wonderful for us to have the opportunity to present ourselves and hear from others who are like minded and who also challanged our views which is always of benefit as an open mind is the only way to learn.
The general consensis on the day seemed to be that only parts of the proposed cat legislation were acceptable to welfare groups but that they would be passed as is regardless of our opinions. This means we will just have to deal with them as they come and hope they dont do too much damage for the cats of Perth.
Overall we feel it was an informative and positive day and we would like to thank everyone who organised the event and all those who participated. It was a joy to meet all of you and we hope to keep liasing with everyone for the benefit of the cats.
Natalie Mason
President
9 Lives Cat Rescue
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Rules For Dealing With Stray Cats
Just to lighten up the subject a little...
Follow these rules for dealing with stray cats,
and you and stray cat will be very happy campers!
1. Stray cats will not be fed.
2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.
3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.
4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.
5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.
6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unneccessarily.
7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.
8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.
9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times.
10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in y.
11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.
12. Sray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.
13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen claws on new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.
14. Stray cats will answer the call of nature outdoors in the sand.
15. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the three-piece, high-impact plastic tray filled with Fresh n Sweet kitty litter.
16. Stray cats will answer the call of nature in the hooded litter pan with a three-panel privacy screen and plenty of head room.
17. Stray cats will sleep outside.
18. Stray cats will sleep in the garage.
19. Stray cats will sleep in the house.
20. Stray cats will sleep in a cardboard box lined with an old blanket.
21. Stray cats will sleep in the special Kitty-Komfort-Bed with non-allergenic lambs wool pillow.
22. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed.
23. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed, except at the foot.
24. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers.
25. Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers except at the foot.
26. Stray cats will not play on the desk.
27. Stray cats will not play on the desk near the computer.
28. Stray cats are forbidden to walk on the computer keyboard on the desk when the human is asdfjjhhkl;ljfd.;oier puyykmm4hbdm9lo9jmdskdm,. USING IT.
- Author Unknown
Monday, September 6, 2010
Proposed WA Cat Laws – The Real Issues
For those a bit fuzzy on the subject here's a quick run-down. Proposed new cat ownership laws state that cats must be sterilised, microchipped and/or have proper ID in the form of tags and collars, and registered with their local council. The aim of these laws is to reduce killing in shelters, protect wildlife, promote responsible cat ownership and reduce the number of cats being bred. Sounds good in theory, but these proposed laws fall short of the required mark.
Money doesn't buy happiness...
Like most animal welfare groups I support the idea that all cats should be sterilised and have some form of ID. However, the way these proposed laws are going to be implemented will punish low income earners wishing to have a cat. The laws do not provide financial assistance to the people who need it: they treat symptomatically (trap and euthanise) but ignore the problem (owners not opting for sterilisation). Veterinary practices in lower socioeconomic areas charge some of the highest prices for sterilisations in the metro area, sitting uneasily beside the proposed laws as ticking time-bombs of shelter crowding.
Will these laws increase the rate of sterilisations? The Consultation Paper acknowledges that 9 in 10 cats are sterilised, and that compulsory sterilisation is not conclusively proven to reduce the numbers of unwanted cats. Can the effort, money and time required by these new laws be justified in light of a mere 1 in 10 cats who are the target of the legislation?
Why not use the money used to police the laws to instead fund sterilisations for low income earners, pensioners and lazy owners requiring incentive? Animal Welfare Groups in Perth should band together and pressure the state government to support and develop community sterilisation programs in association with local vet practices, following the lead of the 
Cat Alliance of Australia has been doing for the past 18 months.
Cat Alliance of Australia has been doing for the past 18 months.From http://www.savingpets.com.au :
"The cost of seizing, holding, killing and disposing of a cat because their owner has not de-sexed it could cover the cost of sterilising the pet, plus others."
"The cost of seizing, holding, killing and disposing of a cat because their owner has not de-sexed it could cover the cost of sterilising the pet, plus others."
More cats euthanised?
The proposed laws may increase shelter euthanasia. Local councils will have the power to trap and euthanise any cats that have no proof of ownership (such as semi-owned and feral cats), and could result in a pet who has lost its collar being put to sleep. As the new laws only state compulsory identification, not microchipping, it will still be possible for beloved family members and neighbourhood pets to slip through the cracks.
Furthermore, trapping and disposing of feral cats may not solve the 'feral cat problem'. Recent research has proven that removal of feral cats from an area not bounded by limiting perimeters (such as cat-proof fencing) can result in repopulation from nearby feral coloniesref.
Leading the way...
From a welfare point of view the above scenario is unacceptable when humane alternatives, such as trapping+sterilising with release back into the colony, are available. There are several of these programs running in industrial areas in Perth. These have been facilitated by several welfare groups, such as the Cat Sterilisation Society. So far they have been running with great success and the factory workers have even taken pleasure in seeing their colonies thrive with their help. Other success stories around the world include the following:
Cat Sterilisation Society. So far they have been running with great success and the factory workers have even taken pleasure in seeing their colonies thrive with their help. Other success stories around the world include the following:Project Bay Cat
Kittens seemed to ooze from the rocks in Foster City, California, a sensitive area for an unusual bird species, the California Clapper Rail. The Homeless Cat Network wanted the cats to stay. The Sequoia Audubon Society wanted the cats to go. The local government of Foster City wanted complaints to end! When all three groups worked toward an interest-based solution, they all won. Of originally 170 cats, sixty were adoptable. Strategically-located feeding stations keep the cats well fed and away from nesting areas. The Clapper Rail and other migratory birds using that region are thriving.
Stanford Cat Network
With 1500+ cats on the Stanford University campus in 1989, action was inevitable. Trap and “remove” was the original plan until the Stanford Cat Network was formed and entered into an agreement with University officials. Through the humane commitment of students, faculty, University staff and community volunteers, the current number of cats on campus is estimated at 200.
Kittens seemed to ooze from the rocks in Foster City, California, a sensitive area for an unusual bird species, the California Clapper Rail. The Homeless Cat Network wanted the cats to stay. The Sequoia Audubon Society wanted the cats to go. The local government of Foster City wanted complaints to end! When all three groups worked toward an interest-based solution, they all won. Of originally 170 cats, sixty were adoptable. Strategically-located feeding stations keep the cats well fed and away from nesting areas. The Clapper Rail and other migratory birds using that region are thriving.
Stanford Cat Network
With 1500+ cats on the Stanford University campus in 1989, action was inevitable. Trap and “remove” was the original plan until the Stanford Cat Network was formed and entered into an agreement with University officials. Through the humane commitment of students, faculty, University staff and community volunteers, the current number of cats on campus is estimated at 200.
Final thoughts...
Taking care of our cat populations humanely, whether they be cherished pets, semi-owned neighbourhood pets, or part of a feral cat colony, requires a holistic approach by owners, communities, welfare agencies and the government. Educating and promoting awareness, establishing humane ways to deal with feral cats, supporting community sterilisation and funding organisations such as the Cat Sterilisation Society and the Australian National Desexing Network are solid steps in the right direction. These laws go some way towards making these steps a reality, but in its present form is only going to be a waste of time and resources which could be better used to facilitate more acceptable and 'community friendly' alternatives.
Natalie Mason
9 Lives Cat Rescue
Founder/President
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