Rescue groups voice support for cat curfews as councils mull changes

The whopping number of cat-related nuisance complaints around Geelong has been revealed, as councils consider 24-hour feline curfews. HAVE YOUR SAY

Rescue groups have voiced support for preventing cats from roaming outdoors as councils explore 24-hour curfews.

Overnight cat curfews are in place across the City of Greater Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliffe and non-rural areas of the Surf Coast Shire.

Bree Lornie and her cat Scarlett. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong council received 1341 customer requests related to nuisance cats in 2021.

Council officers last year issued three infringements for cats found outside of their premises at night.

“We are committed to exploring methods of addressing the impact of wandering cats on neighbours, the environment and wildlife,” director of city services Guy Wilson-Browne said.

“A 24-hour cat curfew will be one method explored and considered during this project, which will involve community and stakeholder engagement.”

Waggin Tails Animal Rescue president Rebecca Kastelein voiced support for 24-hour cat curfews.

“We support cats indoors, or outside in enclosures, unless on a lead or very well supervised,” she said.

Ms Kastelein said the rescue group had seen cats face euthanasia or limb amputation after they were struck by vehicles when roaming.

“Owners will let them roam free and then don’t take responsibility,” she said.

Waurn Ponds resident Bree Lornie has two cats, Scarlett and Harriett.

Bree Lornie and her cats Harriett and Scarlett. Picture: Alan Barber

Both are indoor cats but sometimes venture outside on a lead.

Ms Lornie said they had always been indoor cats.

Living on a busy road contributed to this, and Scarlett came from a rescue organisation that told adopters cats could not be free-roaming, Ms Lornie said.

“I think overnight cat curfews are a better idea (than 24 hours),” she said.

“It’s very hard to keep a cat indoors all the time if they haven’t grown up indoors.”

Ms Lornie said she had issues with other people’s cats having fights near her home at night, which sparked concerns about disease and un-desexed cats.

Bree Lornie’s cats. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong Animal Welfare Society chief executive Helen Cocks said GAWS supported any regulations which kept pets safe.

“We promote indoor ownership when liaising with adopters and pet owners,” she said.

She said containment options provided a good alternative for pet owners and there were many options to contain cats securely within outdoor areas.

The Surf Coast Shire it is set to assess a 24/7 confinement approach, with council considering a variety of cat curfews as part of its Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-25.

GAWS CEO Helen Cocks.

Surf Coast Shire general manager community life Gail Gatt said a commitment was made under the domestic animal management plan to investigate a cat curfew in 2022.

“Further action will be undertaken pending officer recommendation, which will be guided by the results of our cat curfew survey,” she said.

“We encourage community members – whether you’re a cat owner or not – to complete the survey on our website before 12 September.”

A Borough of Queenscliffe spokesman said council continued to engage with the community and interest groups to determine ongoing cat control approaches.

Originally published as Rescue groups voice support for cat curfews as councils mull changes