We need accurate media. Mandatory ‘cat containment’ costs All residents six times more*, and fails. Even those who dislike cats do not want their money wasted.
Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Jan 15th 2023 ‘Pointless killing’: Councils labelled cruel amid heated debate over threat cats pose to native wildlife' https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/pointless-killing-councils-labelled-cruel-amid-heated-debate-over-threat-cats-pose-to-native-wildlife-20221206-p5c487.html
Before I began this fight for feline lives, I believed Australia had integrity, and would not legislate cruelty to voiceless animals. The Victorian Ombudsman has not only altered public record to suit Council, it is now clear that they expressly gave misleading misinformation to a direct question, to then disappear 143 complainants, and complaints on the lack of community consultation, from their Annual Report and media reportage, thus protecting Knox City Council from scrutiny. (Updated Outcome) https://www.academia.edu/79098963/Knox_AdvoCats_Victorian_Ombudsman_Outcomes
Knox AdvoCats sent letters of the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation’s evidence. Replies reveal some never even watch the video on Community Cat Programs.
Daniela De Martino: ‘Cat curfews are designed to protect cats from injury and illness. They also play a vital role in protecting local wildlife….You can find more information on the Knox Council website including tips and further resources for cat containment.’
Jackson Taylor: ‘I have heard a range of views on this issue as passionate advocates for both sides of this matter. …I appreciate that there is significant passion on both sides of this issue’
Knox Environment Society, questioned about residents’ loss of Gardens for Wildlife with forced wire-caging, sent reply that cat-owners are “selfish and harmful”. They did watch the video, but blame All cats, taking no responsibility for a stance that kills more wildlife and kittens, and puts shelter-workers at risk of suicide as high as police and firefighters. KES receives funding from Knox City Council.
(Sometimes I wish we could cull misinformation “experts” as an “introduced species” who misuse ratepayers’ money, to abuse the vulnerable, and to kill the very natives that they profess they save.)
Why act on current popular opinion, over relevant scientific evidence?
Where is any conscience in using power to kill more kittens and wildlife?
Why use misinformation, is it because cat-owners are a minority, and renters, disabled, elderly, carers, do not matter?
Why are Australian lawmakers ignoring worldwide evidence to condone cruelty to cats, and to those who care for them?
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” – Mahatma Gandhi
Please ask questions of the Aston electorate candidates in the Knox by-election. Neither of the major party candidates live here.
Please write to media - we need Dr Jacquie Rand interviewed on Community Cat Programs that work, at a fraction of the cost of Local Councils’ cruelty and misinformation, we need accuracy.
I continue to consult an animal lawyer and animal advocacy - thank you! Ashlley
*Cost estimate from Jenny Cotterell, a Senior Animal Management Officer for 21 years at Banyule City Council, in Submission 141 page 8, to Inquiry into the problem of feral and domestic cats in Australia https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Former_Committees/Environment_and_Energy/Feralanddomesticcats/Submissions (APWF report is 142).
Links Evidence: Australian Pet Welfare Foundation: video: https://petwelfare.org.au/saving-live/
Safe Cat Safe Wildlife - a misinformation campaign raising killing for profit: http://savingpets.com.au/blog/whos-for-cats-gets-a-rebrand
Permaculture Cats: https://www.permaculturenews.org/2016/10/27/the-permaculture-cat/
AdvoCats - Save Cats, Save Wildlife