Stricter Cat Containment Laws Loom for Western Australian Pet Owners
Western Australian cat owners could soon face significantly stricter regulations regarding their feline companions, with a proposed amendment to the Cat Act set to empower local councils to implement their own containment laws without state parliamentary committee approval. This move aims to bolster the protection of native wildlife, which is currently under siege from roaming domestic cats.
The Cat Act Amendment Bill, if passed, will grant local governments the authority to establish and enforce rules that limit the movement of cats. This could translate to mandatory containment on owners’ properties, a measure designed to curb the devastating impact of cats on Australia’s unique fauna.
According to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, the scale of the problem is substantial. Speaking to ABC Radio Perth, she highlighted the national toll, stating, “In Australia, it is estimated that they (cats) do decimate around 300 million wildlife, in our country every year. I don’t have an exact number for WA, but it isn’t insignificant.”
Beyond the ecological imperative, the proposed legislation also points to potential benefits for cat owners themselves. Minister Beazley suggested that cats kept within their owners’ properties actually “live longer.” Furthermore, she cited evidence from the RSPCA indicating that owners of contained cats typically incur significantly lower veterinary expenses. “And there’s also evidence from the RSPCA to say that owners of contained cats spend about 400 per cent less on vet fees than roaming cats,” Ms Beazley explained.
To ensure a degree of uniformity across the state, the government intends to develop a model local law once the amendment has cleared both parliamentary houses. This model law would provide a framework for councils to follow, assisting them in determining appropriate penalties for owners found to have their cats roaming freely. “Hopefully once this passes both houses, we’ll get together and put together a model local law, so there can be some consistency among councils if they follow that model local law,” Ms Beazley stated. “That can help them decide what infringements they might like to impose if someone is found to have a roaming cat.”
The amendment also addresses the issue of cats in public spaces. Under the proposed changes, local councils will have the power to enact bylaws permitting cats to be in public areas, provided they are under the “effective control” of their owner. This could mean that cats might be allowed out, but only if they are secured in a carrier or restrained by a lead. “They could decide that cats are actually allowed out in public areas, but as long as they’re under the effective control of the owner, whether that’s in a cat carrier or on a lead or what have you,” Ms Beazley elaborated.
One specific example of the potential impact of these new laws can be seen in the City of Stirling, a local government area situated north of Perth’s central business district. A proposed cat containment law in this region includes a substantial fine of $5000 for any cats found outside their designated property boundaries. This significant penalty underscores the seriousness with which the threat posed by roaming and feral cats to Western Australia’s native fauna is being taken.
The ongoing impact of roaming and feral cats on WA’s precious wildlife, including native birds and small mammals, remains a critical concern. The proposed legislative changes represent a significant step towards mitigating this threat and ensuring a more sustainable future for the state’s unique biodiversity.
