Cat Smart campaign urges purr-fect pet ownership

The Queensland Government has taken another step in its drive to stamp out irresponsible pet ownership with the launch of a new campaign aimed at reducing the high euthanasia rates for cats and kittens.

Less than eight months after the government declared its determination to end the senseless destruction of domestic pets, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt is sending out a new message to all cat owners in Queensland – tag, desex, keep safe.

Mr Pitt said the government’s Cat Smart public education campaign emphasised the need for owners to take responsibility for their feline companions.

“More than 13,000 cats and kittens are euthanised each year in Queensland, and many of these are unclaimed and surrendered pets,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is very sad to see – it is a complex issue, but reducing these horrendous numbers of unnecessary deaths can be achieved if everyone plays their part.

“The Cat Smart campaign – which involves radio advertisements and posters and stickers for pet stores, RSCPA centres, local councils and animal welfare groups – will be rolled out this month.

“If you look after a cat or kitten, make an appointment with your local vet for desexing and microchipping today.

“Cats can breed up to three times a year, so desexing is really important and is easy to organise with your local vet or council.

“The other thing is to keep your cat indoors or inside your yard with a cat-safe fence.

“Keeping your cat safe not only prevents accidents but also fights with dogs, wild cats and snakes, and protects our native wildlife.

“There are about 14 million feral cats in Australia and in Queensland, they are a major threat to many native species including the Julia Creek dunnart, the ground parrot, the spotted-tail quoll, the Hastings River mouse and the black-breasted button-quail,” he said.

Mr Pitt said the Cat Smart campaign was the final element of the government’s four-pronged approach to tackling the rising number of unwanted cats and dogs in Queensland.

He said the public education campaign was complemented by recent initiatives such as:

• the successful passage of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act in Parliament last year
• the launch of the Code of Practice for pet shops
• a two-year pilot program for four councils to trial various voluntary options aimed at increasing the number of cats and dogs that are being desexed.

“More than $315,000 has been made available for the two-year trial, where these councils will develop a program of incentives in their community, including providing discounted or free desexing, offering heavy registration discounts or developing a permit system for animal owners who wish to breed from their cats and dogs,” Mr Pitt said.

“We are serious about better management of cats and dogs in Queensland, which is why we have legislated for the introduction of mandatory registration through the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

“This legislation takes effect throughout south-east Queensland councils on 1 July this year, and throughout the rest of the state within the next two years.

“Cats and dogs will need to have a permanent identification device implanted, such as a microchip, before they reach 12 weeks of age, or for older animals, when they are transferred from one owner to another.

“The Bligh Government has also introduced a voluntary Code of Practice for pet shop owners, recommending that cats and dogs are microchipped, registered and desexed before sale.

“With the Queensland Government, local councils, pet shops and pet owners each taking responsibility, we can tackle this problem and work to reduce the number of cats and kittens euthanised in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

For more information about the Cat Smart campaign, visit www.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819