Cats play a special part in many people's lives and it's important to be responsible so your furry friends stay safe.
Corangamite Shire Council Manager Environment and Emergency Belinda Bennett said cats lived longer, healthier lives when safely contained to the owner's property.
"Roaming cats can get hit by cars, injured in fights, catch diseases or get lost," Ms Bennett said.
"Cats are natural hunters and kill native wildlife, even if they're well fed.
"They can also cause problems for your neighbours with noise, fighting, and digging in gardens."
Ms Bennett said cat owners were required by law to keep their pets confined to their property at all times.
"Cats can live quite happily as long as the owner makes a few easy arrangements.
"They need personal space, sleeping, resting and viewing areas, food, water and litter boxes, as well as toys and scratching posts to give them exercise and prevent boredom.
"De-sexing cats also reduces their desire to roam and helps prevent behavioural problems.
"Responsible cat ownership includes caring for your pet's welfare needs, registration, microchipping. If a cat is microchipped and registered it can be returned to its owners if found wandering."
Ms Bennett said most people were responsible pet owners and contained their cats to their property.
"There are active feral cat trapping programs across the Shire, so to both avoid a fine and ensure your pet is not collected wandering, please ensure it is contained to the property. The fine for allowing cats to wander is $83."
Council is offering concession card holders discounts for cat desexing at participating vet clinics.
The program aims to support responsible cat ownership by:
- increasing cat registrations;
- reducing impoundment of cats;
- reducing unwanted litters in priority locations; and
- reducing reports of nuisance cats.
The program also covers the cost of microchipping and the first year of registration.
Any additional veterinary costs outside the desexing/microchipping services (such as vaccinations) are not covered by the voucher and must be paid by the voucher holder.
To be eligible, householders must have a concession card, be a Corangamite resident and their cat must be microchipped and registered, or be willing become microchipped and registered at the time of desexing.
Four vet clinics in Corangamite Shire are participating in this desexing program:
- Terang Veterinary Clinic 20 Estcourt St, Terang 5592 2111
- Hampden Veterinary Clinic 22 Curdie St Cobden 5595 1100
- Camperdown Veterinary Centre 1 Leura St, Camperdown 5593 1077
- The Vet Group 99 Bailey St, Timboon 5558 6666
To apply, go to corangamite.vic.gov.au/cat-desexing-grant, call the Local Laws team on 5593 7100 or drop into the Civic Centre at 181 Manifold Street, Camperdown.
