We would like your support in signing this petition to advocate for Camden Council NSW to financially support the Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) to Colony Cats program within the Camden LGA.

Many rescue organisations within NSW have been doing TNR for years. However, some people falsely believe TNR programs are not beneficial.

As you are aware, under the provisions of the Companion Animal Act 1998, cats within NSW are considered to have no boundaries and are free to roam.  Due to this legislation, Council state they are unable to seize stray cats, therefore the problem is exacerbated. It is often difficult to determine someone's pet from a stray or homeless cat. This program will determine that.

Through TNR, cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped to prove they have been part of a TNR program, kittens and cats that can be socialised can be re-homed, with the remainder returned to their outdoor homes to live out their lives. TNR has incredible and proven benefits, including ending the breeding cycle of cats, reducing shelter intake, decreasing calls to animal services, and stopping the needless killing of cats, all of which save taxpayer dollars.

Some of the key benefits to Camden Council and the local community will be:

-     ensure the population explosion of kittens each year is reduced and maintained;

-     less destruction of native wildlife;

-     supporting a natural way of keeping rodents/vermin under control;

-     keeping shelters from being overloaded with stray kittens;

-     and reducing the volume of calls to Council as there is a program to deal with the problem.

Council needs to take action now and support the TNR approach to community cats and not just use the Companion Animal Act as an excuse to do nothing and wipe there hands of the problem.

By supporting the TNR program this will be a win for your constituents, a win for animal shelters, and a win for cats!

Crystel Walters is the owner of this petition and Sharon Richards is maintaining the online petition on behalf of Crystel.