Knox Council cat curfew guidelines under fire
A suggestion that pet owners keep their cats confined to sheds and garages overnight when Knox Council’s cat curfew is introduced has people worried, fearing it is too long for the moggies to be locked up.
Outer East
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The claws are out over Knox Council’s upcoming cat curfew, with people worried about a suggestion to keep moggies locked up in sheds and garages overnight.
In a bid to stop cats killing wildlife and spraying property, the council will trial a curfew, requiring owners to keep their cats confined to their premises from sunset to sunrise, from January 1 next year.
“This will mean that your cat will need to stay in your house, shed, garage, yard, enclosure or similar to ensure it does not leave your property,” a post on the council website states.
But cat owners have expressed concerns about keeping their pets in their sheds at night, according to Cr Peter Lockwood who raised the issue at a recent council meeting.
Bayswater’s Phillip Walsh, who owns cats Emma and Charlie, said he didn’t think it was a good idea to lock up moggies for that long.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea to lock them away in the garage, especially for 12 hours; they like to be with humans, that’s for sure,” Mr Walsh said.
He said the proposed hours of the curfew were also “over the top” and his cats were normally locked inside his house from about 9.30pm, which he believed was a more appropriate time.
RSPCA animal welfare policy manager Mhairi Roberts said RSPCA Victoria was supportive of compulsory cat curfews enforced by councils as they encouraged people to adopt a contained lifestyle for their pet cats, better protecting the cats’ health and wellbeing.
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Ms Roberts said cats should be kept in an environment that was interesting with access to high places, windows and a warm place to sleep, with access to food, water, litter trays and places to scratch.
“If a shed or garage fulfils this criteria and does not have any dangerous or unsafe equipment stored in the area, it would suffice as a short-term housing strategy as long as owners ensure they spend quality time with their cat,” she said.
“We believe the ideal contained lifestyle for a cat is to live in the home with adequate enrichment to keep them mentally and physically stimulated, as well adequate time spent with their owners. Some people may consider cat-proof fencing around their property which contains their cat to the boundary of their property but allows them to roam around outside as they please.”
The council’s cat curfew trial will last a year before it is reviewed by council officers.
Knox will join a swag of other councils who already enforce the curfew, including Yarra Ranges and Mornington.
People who let their cats roam during the curfew could face a fine of $81 or if the matter goes to court $161.19, and the offending cat may be impounded if it’s not registered.
Knox Council has been contacted for comment.