Animal Aid has pound contracts with Knox, Yarra Ranges, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Murrundindi, Wellington, East Gippsland, and Monash Councils. Knox Council has refused request for release of the whistleblower report to Animal Aid, of dogs and cats being 'Starved, neglected, euthanised'. Knox says that Yarra Ranges is responsible for the cattery; not mentioning the dogs. Herald Sun reported that Yarra Ranges was not 'seeking clarity'. Workers allege the mistreatment began with the current CEO - who lacks animal welfare qualification, having only a TAFE Diploma of business 2007-2007 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-menze-9bb31467/?originalSubdomain=au News reports links: https://www.change.org/p/knox-advocats/u/33716235
Facebook comment just received: 'I am one of the people who helped compile the report.' The Councils 'have it already, sent by the journalist. The report was NOT against Animal Aid but against the CEO, Mark Menze, and his wife, Tracy Menze as interim manager of the cattery, and Shelby Thorn, business support partner. It was about multiple breaches of Codes of Practice and multiple unnecessary euthanasias of cats just because they were timid. The CEO, Mark Menze, wanted a 'clean out' of the cattery. It went to the Board Chairman. The Board did not act... The report does not include the dog issues. The dog staff and volunteers attempted to get the Board to do something a year ago. Mark's wife, Tracy Menze, doesn't have the qualifications to run a cattery and it shows. She said 'We are a business, not a rescue'. See how much debt Mark Menze has got the organization into' - $322,774.
Should we accept corporate cover-ups, and shut-ups, and lack of action? While silent animals suffer. Knox webcast: https://webcast.knox.vic.gov.au/archive/video25-0728.php below press 7 for Public Question. Please contact Local Councillors. Demand accountability, transparency - report release, qualifications. Let animals live. Only many voices can make change. (Knox pays Animal Aid a minimum of $173,600 yearly; charges $186.50 for each 'impound' entry. Additional charges for 'seizures', 'after-hours collection', and for 'holding animals' alive. Figures exclude GST.)
Maribyrnong Local Law Survey. Please help - fill in by August 17th - https://www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/LocalLaws
Maribyrnong Draft proposes a Feeding Animals ban on stray cats. (New clause 26) and mandated containment: Keeping of animals (clause 23): 'Introduced requirement to ensure fencing prevents pets and animals from escaping.'
To force owners to repair houses if 'Unsightly' - affecting the look, safety, or visual appeal of the neighbourhood'. 'Owners or occupiers must keep buildings in good condition, prevent them from becoming run-down, damaged, falling apart, or in poor condition' (New clauses 9, 10, 11)
(Current clause 40): 'A person must not paint, service, wash, repair, or dismantle a vehicle on a road' - when many do not have driveways/parking.
'You must have a permit to film for commercial purposes on a road or Council land.' (New clause 52) Preventing on-site, immediate news reporting.
Gentrification wealth laws to harm starving animals, and poorer residents?
The Conversation: Extinctions of Australian mammals have long been blamed on foxes and cats – but where’s the evidence? April 11, 2025 https://theconversation.com/extinctions-of-australian-mammals-have-long-been-blamed-on-foxes-and-cats-but-wheres-the-evidence-253542?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.com BioScience: Review of evidence that foxes and cats cause extinctions of Australia's endemic mammals 10 April, 2025, https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf046/8109923
New South Wales: Save Community Cats Rally: East top of Martin Place (near Macquarie Street & Parliament House). Sat 23rd August, 2025: 11am - 12. https://www.facebook.com/events/1223866125691956/ Please Show up for the Silenced. https://www.facebook.com/groups/329495131840553/posts/1342081850581871/
Councils reject petitions without addresses, so please directly contact councillors and Councils - thank you!
Photo: Designed by Freepik (real animals - not AI)