Monday 25th October, 7pm Council Meeting, has the new Domestic Animal Management Plan draft for 2021-2024.  We know that the cat and dog survey could be filled in multiple times, anonymously, without verification.  That most of the 3317 responses were due to Andy Dixon's call-out, though Council claims it was a success of their SMS messaging.  The DAMP does not mention our concerns - a false survey again used to falsify for Council Agenda. https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021-10-25%20-%20Agenda%20Meeting%20of%20Council%20Part%202%20of%202%20.pdf

Julianne and I completed researched Lists of Defects for the Ombudsman, looking at the Local Government Act, and facts.  We are now waiting for assessment in early November.

If you received September Knox News, you might have noticed that again an ‘animal welfare expert’ is quoted, who does not have qualification, and who is contracted to Knox Council.  Also that almost 90percent of impounded cats are not the registered cats owned by the residents afflicted by the 24-hr cat curfew. (80percent in new DAMP)

The RSPCA euthanised 9714 cats in 2019-2020.  A neighbouring Council's Domestic Animal Management refuses to use the private organisation.  Is being a leading contract killer an 'expert'?  They are not animal welfare experts, nor are they experts in wildlife conservation.

Knox dog complaints are triple that of cats, yet Knox has a Council Order allowing dogs to be off-leash in almost 300 public green spaces.

The Local Government Act 2020 ‘Misuse of position’ means attempt to gain advantage; to cause detriment to another person; making improper use of information.  Transparency of decisions, actions, clear information, community engagement for those affected, not being inconsistent with human rights, are all in the Act.

Knox Council did not advertise its proposed law of 24-hours, and used a flawed feedback survey for a night curfew, to instead put through a very different law.

Who benefits from this 24-hr cat curfew?

The wild life being decimated by overdevelopment where Council does not listen and prevents community consultation?
The 80percent of unregistered cats, now more likely to face death than adoption?
The cat-owners forced to live in cages, like their cats, with wire enclosures, and high-fenced yards?
The renters denied their hard-won rights to keep their cats?
The foxes, owls, dogs and humans who all have more rights than cats?
The neighbours who can hide their identities to get rid of cat-owner neighbours?
The community divided between those with rights, and those without as ‘second-class’?
Council from the high fines, made easy from many being unable to comply?

It is not that we cannot see clearly - it is that we see all too well.

Does Community Matter?  Remember anyone can be a councillor - you can too.  Question claims of ‘expert’, not backed by evidence.  Your care for your cats and our community already shows you have the needed qualities of respect, concern and care - which have meaning when they are in action.

Thank you to Julianne Beck for her art photo of the Council banner https://www.facebook.com/Fighting4FelineFreedoms/

Difference is not a reason to deny rights.  When is it ever okay to act unconscionably and to blame others?  Or to misuse power to harm lives?  Knox dog-owners are three times that of cat-owners - we all need to stand up for our community and not be divided.  Welcome pet owners and good neighbours!  We love our fur families.  Cat-people are not Crazy.  Cat Lives Matter!  Thank you all AdvoCats!

Please let affected Knox residents know how to join our Ombudsman case - they do not accept petitions. Each resident needs to individually send their authority. 

Please copy this sentence: I give authority for Knox AdvoCats to act on my behalf with regards to the complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman case no: C/21/19177   (adding your name, address Or suburb, postcode and email address, and phone number - two methods of contact are needed: phone & email or mail address. Please add your signature if sending by post.) with Case number C/21/19177 in the email subject line.  Please email to: complaints@ombudsman.vic.gov.au or by mail to Victorian Ombudsman, Level 2, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne, Vic 3000

Names and contacts will be confidential to the Ombudsman. Formal Complaint can be read on academia.edu (free to join and download.) https://www.academia.edu/52471373/24_hr_Cat_Curfew_Knox_Council_Trajectory_and_Formal_Complaint  or email me to send it to you.  morgan-shae@ihug.com.au

Some AdvoCats fought to save native birds & canopy trees, when Council gave a Developer permit for a carpark over Ferny Creek Trail: https://www.gofundme.com/f/SaveDandenongFoothills