Currently there are an enormous number of cats in Perth needing homes. Cat Haven alone has more than 500 in care. If rescue groups were included that number would be in the thousands. If local restrictions were lifted, even temporarily, this would allow many willing people to adopt or foster the cats in need of a home, freeing up space for cats and kittens waiting for help. 

In addition, many people have more than the locally allowed number of cats, and are fearful about approaching the council to register them as they understand the 'grace period' when they could have registered them, to be over. Lifting the restrictions would encourage those owners to sterilise, microchip and register their cats, further controlling the problem. 

By doing this not only would thousands of cats find homes, but Councils would also collect more in registration fees, and could potentially use those funds for proactive solutions to the problem including subsidising sterilisation, TNR (Trap - Neuter - Return) for feral colonies,  education programs, building and staffing animal care facilities and sanctuaries.