PUBLIC FEEDBACK SOUGHT ON MANAGING UNWANTED CATS AND DOGS

Queenslanders are being asked to consider a range of measures to address the tragedy of the growing numbers of cats and dogs which end their lives unwanted and euthanased.

Premier Peter Beattie today released a discussion paper on unwanted cats and dogs and urged every animal lover to take the time to consider the issues.

“Every year thousands of pet cats and dogs turn up at animal shelters across Queensland,” the Premier said.

“The RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League have been forced to kill more than 53,000 healthy cats between 2002 and 2006.

“Clearly this is untenable and I know staff and volunteers at both organisations are increasingly distressed by this senseless waste of life.

“In addition to slashing the number of healthy animals being euthanased we also want people to consider measures which would help reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners more efficiently.

“While it is easier for animal shelters to place lost or unwanted dogs, the distress caused when a much loved family pet is lost could be significantly lessened if, for example, all companion animals were micro chipped to make it easier to trace their owners.

“I am told by the RSPCA that micro chipping can cost as little as $3 per animal and statistics from other States show owners have a much better chance of being reunited with their pet if it has been micro chipped.

“We want to hear directly from local councils and people throughout Queensland about their experiences and ideas on how to best tackle the problem.

“In particular we want to know people’s views on suggested measures including:
o statewide mandatory registration of all dogs and cats;
o statewide mandatory micro-chipping of all dogs and cats;
o mandatory desexing before the sale of all dogs and cats with exceptions for registered breeders, working dogs etc;
o linking cheaper registration for pets to desexing;
o greater public education about responsible pet ownership.

“Across the State councils have a wide range of rules and we want to see if it is feasible to implement a statewide set of companion animal rules.

“It may however be the case that rural and remote communities will, for example, have to operate under special guidelines.

“The feedback we receive from across the State will help us to find a solution to this problem.

Mr Beattie said the discussion paper was prepared by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation.

The Premier thanked the Animal Welfare League and the RSPCA for their assistance in the drafting of the discussion paper.

“This problem was brought to my attention by the member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft who has been a passionate advocate on this issue.

“Last year the Animal Welfare League of Queensland which is based on the Gold Coast was forced to euthanase 19% of the dogs and 42% of the cats that it received,’’ Mr Beattie said.

“The RSPCA reports that in the four years to 2006 its Queensland branch euthanased 44,173 or 67.35 per cent of the cats it received.

Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said some of the options contained in the discussion paper include compulsory desexing, state-wide animal registration, animal identification, including micro chipping, modification of model local government laws and a state-wide education campaign.

“I would urge everyone with an interest in this matter to read the discussion paper carefully and participate in this important consultation.

“Cats in particular can wreak devastation on wildlife and the booming number of unwanted cats must be addressed,” Minister Mulherin said.

Minister for Local Government Andrew Fraser said he looked forward to seeing the views of councils across the State.

“Of the 157 Queensland local councils 124 have a dog registration system in place with just 11 of these also requiring cat registration. All of these 124 councils require identification of registered animals,’’ Mr Fraser said.

“Its important councils let us know how they think an improved system can be implemented and funded,” the Minister said.

“We acknowledge different areas of the state may have unique dog and cat issues so we look forward to receiving as much feedback as possible.”

The discussion paper - ‘Managing unwanted dogs and cats’ – and a questionnaire to make commenting easier are available on www.dpi.qld.gov.au or www.lgp.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.

Submissions close Friday August 3, 2007.

Wednesday July 4, 2007

For more information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister Mulherin’s Office – 3239 3000
Minister Fraser’s Office – 3227 8819