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
Thank you for this informative article. The more education there is out there about this, the better.
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