Evidence from the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation shows that the trapping, impoundment, killing model is producing and harvesting more kittens to kill. 24-hr curfews cost Councils much more, and do not achieve their aims. Trapping and killing is shown to increase numbers. Vets leave the profession, some suicide, having to kill so many kittens fighting for life.
Banyule Council found the trapping, impounding model cost $397,500 as opposed to Community Cat Program's targeted intensive de-sexing cost of $60,000 - begun in 2013. Banyule’s impound figures for the 2019/2020 financial year were: 152 Impounded, 98 rehomed, 24 euthanased, 30 reclaimed. Contrast this to 2010-2011, with 1,004 cats impounded and 578 killed (58%) - 541 cats over 8 weeks old and 463 kittens under 8 weeks old.
Please watch Australian Pet Welfare Foundation’s Jacquie Rand's video (scroll down) https://petwelfare.org.au/saving-live/ De-sexing needs to be targeted, intensive and monitored, neutering and returning the cats to their home-site. This decreases population, decreases shelter intake, complaints, killing, impact upon staff and costs. Jacquie says a ‘scattergun’ free desexing ‘voucher’ approach does not work. Studies show CCP is good for dogs too, decreasing their intake into shelters. Community attitudes and mental health improve.
Banyule changed to the Community Cat Program spurred by this kitten (above): ‘This kitten was found in a building site wall and although it was a healthy and friendly kitten, we knew the pound was full and it would be euthanased as soon as we got it there. …my co-worker and I sat in the carpark in front of the pound and called everyone we knew in our phone books to see if someone would take the kitten to save it. There was no one for this kitten and unfortunately, as it was a pre-weaned kitten too young to be rehomed, it was taken into the pound and killed. We knew that things had to change. The scenario with this kitten was an everyday occurrence throughout the kitten season, and we were a cat killing taxi service again.’ Jenny Cotterell, Banyule Animal Management Officer of 22 years
Yarra Ranges 24-hr cat curfew has risen impoundments, complaints and killing. Posters I put up there are quickly pulled down. ‘In summary, in the City of Yarra Ranges, in the 3rd year after mandating 24/7 cat containment, cat-related complaints, increased by 143%, impoundments increased by 68%, and euthanasia increased by 18% (human population only increased 2%).’
Casey Council ‘In summary, in the City of Casey, 20 years after introducing 24/7 cat containment, the number of cats impounded was still 296% higher than baseline (from 264 cats in 1998 to 1,047 cats in 2019/2020), which was more than double the rate of the human population increase.’ APWF
24-hr cat curfew cost Councils and rate-payers more and worsen ‘nuisance’. Trapping and killing costs much more, when Knox is already borrowing $50million this year, and $34million next year. Conscienceless laws show no conscience, no controls, no commitment to community.
Other news:
Other Councils put to public meeting vote the Councillor pay-rises. Local reporter informs Knox just accepted backdated payrises of up to 72% then ran news stories of ‘had no say’. Telling residents the revised Budgets are ‘fiscally responsible’ ‘good governance, good housekeeping.’
May 23rd 2022: The same six 24-hr voters Councillors Dwight, Seymour, Allred, Laukens, Baker, Timmers-Leitch voted for new building regulations. Cr Pearce objected that residents, and first-homers, cannot afford and asked the six to have their own homes evaluated to the new standard, but they refused. Dwight said residents could just build smaller homes, admitting her own would not pass inspection. (Scanning quickly) - no gas - all electric, double-glazing, EV charger unit in each garage/carport https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/2022-05-23-%20Agenda%20Meeting%20of%20Council.pdf 6.4 Elevating Environmental Sustainable Development Targets for new developments p189-444
AdvoCats against AutoCrats, please help fight for lives. Victorians, please help us.
Legislative Council: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/petitions/electronic-petitions/view-e-petitions/details/12/446
Legislative Assembly: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/petitions/e-petitions/view-sign-e-petitions/details/55/108
Please help. Posters: https://rmit.academia.edu/AshlleyMorganShae