Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Gutwein majority Liberal Government delivered Tasmania's first comprehensive Cat Management Plan and has invested $1.44 million to employ three regional cat co-ordinators to work with local councils and the community on issues associated with responsible cat ownership.
As part of this plan, the Government today launched a new series of video ads to help cat owners better understand ways to keep their cats and native wildlife safe.
These light-hearted videos follow the adventures of Scruffy the Cat, focusing on the importance of microchipping, desexing, cats being happy indoors, and working to reduce the number of stray cats.
The Government recognises that for many Tasmanians, cats are much loved companion pets, however the problems of stray and feral cats also needs to be managed.
The regional coordinators work closely with stakeholders, such as local councils and the cat management facilities at Ten Lives, RSPCA and Just Cats, to encourage greater stakeholder participation, community awareness and education to deliver responsible cat ownership and provide support for relevant legislation.
The coordinators have established the TassieCat website, which hosts a range of resources and information about effective methods for keeping your cat at home, how to keep cats happy indoors, microchipping and desexing.
This work also supports the Cat Management Amendment Bill, which was introduced into Parliament late last year. The Bill contains a number of proposed amendments to the Cat Management Act, including:
- Compulsory de-sexing and microchipping of all cats;
- Limiting to four, the maximum number of cats allowed at a property without a permit - separate arrangements would apply for cat breeders;
- A cat breeders permit system registered with the State Government; and
- Improvements to better support landholders to control roaming, stray and feral cats. This includes extending the capacity for all farmers to trap, seize or humanely destroy cats on primary production land, whereas it is currently limited to those undertaking livestock grazing.
