For 16 years, I've worked in cat rescue, and over those years, I've witnessed profound issues in relation to cats firsthand in the Campbelltown local government area (LGA). This is very much supported also by feedback received from members of the community.

Every day, countless unwanted litters are born, leading to a tragic cycle of suffering and neglect on our streets and also in people's homes. The impact isn't isolated to these poor animals; it impacts our community as a whole, residential and industrial areas, pet owners, residents, cat rescuers, community cat carers and local wildlife .

Outcomes of the recent NSW Management of Cat Populations Inquiry found that one of the clear solutions that stands out is the need to invest low-cost desexing program for cats. Proper investment in such a program can drastically reduce unwanted breeding, thereby mitigating these widespread problems. Currently, our local government council's investment in such initiatives falls short of what's needed to make a significant impact in this LGA.

Campbelltown Council have proactively participated in the below mentioned programs and over the last couple of years numbers of cats going through the program have been:

RSPCA Keeping Cats Safe at Home:   698 cats desexed in last 2 programs. (last 2 years)                                                                                                                   

Campbelltown Council CAWS Program:     140+ (2023/2024 FY) 140 + (2024/2025 FY)  Approx. 280 cats in total in the last 2 reported financial years

The Community Helping Campbelltown Cats Program:  has brought in just under 500 cats for desexing in the last 2 financial years also, relying purely on community donations to do so.

The problem is the RSPCA/CAWS programs are not ongoing.  They are quite limited in term of numbers and funding ... so the great work stops.  To make a significant difference the desexing needs to continue. 

Council intake of cats in the last 2 reported (Annual Report) financial years are some of the lowest experienced in the last 10 years. 349 in the 2024/2025 Annual Report. Intake preceding COVID and the years prior were around 1000 mark per annum.  1003 cats were impounded in 2018/2019 Annual Report.  Current intake numbers are not due to there not being a greater need in the community, Community Helping Campbelltown Cats, the Animal Care Facility and cat rescues are contacted every day by members of the community needing help.  Unfortunately, the numbers don't add up, there's more needing help than there is help to go around. The end result being more often than not, they are abandoned to the streets.

There are residents in the Campbelltown Community that go without food themselves to feed stray cats.  Sadly, though more often than not, they don't have the means or knowledge of how to desex them, particularly if they are not fully social.   There are residents living in squalor in attempt to accommodate and keep stray cats safe.

Community cat managers are doing what they can to care for, including desexing of community cat groups.  In recent times, cat hate has escalated. Quite concerningly, 2 colleagues of a community cat manager were recently attacked by a cat hating resident in the Ingleburn residential area. One was rendered unconscious after being kicked in the head, left with multiple fractures. They were both hospitalised.  Their crime, they were with a kind samaritan feeding the cats, who had also had them all desexed and was slowly rehoming them as she couldn't get help from anyone other than Community Helping Campbelltown Cats.  The investigation by police in ongoing.

Investing in a low-cost desexing program is not just humane; it's economically sensible. It reduces the burden on shelters and taxpayers and promotes a healthier community environment for everyone, humans, felines and wildlife.

Therefore, I am calling upon our local government council to significantly increase their investment in ongoing low-cost desexing programs. By doing so, we can protect our communities, our local pet population, and the countless cats that deserve a chance at a better life.

Please lend your voice to this crucial cause. By signing this petition, you join me in urging our local government to take immediate and effective action. Together, let's pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future for our feline friends and our community as a whole. Your signature matters.

References:

NSW Inquiry Into the Management of Cat Populations