Why feeding cats in public will become an offence
Anyone feeding cats in public places could be fined as Canterbury Bankstown Council looks at different options to control the growing feline population on its streets.
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The increased number of cats roaming Canterbury Bankstown streets is pushing the council to seek tougher legislation to punish anyone feeding cats in public places.
Councillor Bilal El-Hayek said the feline problem was not confined to any suburb and it was a nuisance, especially at night when they could keep residents awake.
Cat lover Cr El-Hayek said the NSW Government should provide the councils with more powers to handle the problem.
“The stray cats are everywhere and can cause sleepless nights when they start fighting,” Cr Bilal said.
“People also feed these stray cats and while they may been domesticated, many have not been desexed by their owners.”
He said most cat owners did the right thing. However, many residents added to the problem by feeding stray cats.
“Unfortunately, the council has no controls or enforcement powers to prevent these activities,” Cr El-Hayek said.
“That is why we need the state government to make legislative changes to provide councils with more controls.
“We want them to introduce new legislation that makes it an offence for anyone feeding cats in public places.”
Cr El-Hayek, who said stray cats can affect the hygiene of the public places, said native wildlife is also under threat.
The council is contacting the ministers for Local Government, Planning and Environment for new legislation and greater enforcement powers to manage the problem.
The council also wants research into effective humane methods to control the feline population.
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A RSPCA spokeswoman said they are running a Community Animal Welfare Scheme (CAWS) program with the council to help locals get their animals desexed at their hospital.
“We strongly encourage cat owners to desex their cats and to keep them contained within the backyard or home,” she said.
“RSPCA shelters take in 16,000 cats across the state each year … a targeted plan to manage the feline population is vital.”
She said in just two years, a pair of cats can lead to as many as 20,000 kittens.
In the last financial year, 235 cats were desexed, 179 vaccinated and 217 microchipped under CAWS.
Details: www.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/media/news/discounted-pet-desexing
On Saturday, October 19, PETstock Milperra will provide a $10 microchipping service for pets. Details: www.petstock.com.au
Bookings needed.
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