Have your say on the Domestic Animal (Cat and Dog) Management Plan
The City has a released a draft version of its new Domestic Animal Management Plan for an eight week period of public comment. The draft plan considers a number of issues related to dog and cat ownership, including;
- The value of Council working in partnership with others
- The need to provide access for all in public places
- The need to provide off leash areas for dogs to socialise including access to water activities
- The need to manage dog droppings especially in high use public open spaces
- The importance of education about responsible pet ownership
- The value of microchipping and desexing pets
- The need to care for the environment
- Community support for the introduction of cat confinement at night time.
The draft plan recommends the introduction of compulsory microchipping and desexing, cat confinement between sun down and sun rise and an investigation into additional animal impound facilities.
It's also suggested that there be a review of areas where dogs should be kept on leash. This would include footpaths, roadsides and nature strips, and certain public areas including picnic and barbecue spots and children's playgrounds.
Download a copy of the plan: Domestic Animal Management Plan (PDF 4.9MB)
The public comment period in now closed, we thank all those individuals and organisations who have taken the time to lodge a submission.
WHY HAVE A DOMESTIC ANIMAL (DOGS AND CATS) MANAGEMENT PLAN?
The plan has been developed, and will be reviewed every three years, in consultation with Council, the community and other stakeholders who have an involvement with pets (eg: vets, Geelong Animal Welfare Society, RSPCA and others).
This 'partnering' in developing the plan allows Council to establish pet programs and actions that are contemporary and meet community expectations
MICROCHIPPING
WHY INTRODUCE COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING OF ALL DOGS AND CATS?
A microchip provides a pet with a permanent form of identification. A microchip is a tiny computer chip (not much bigger than a grain of rice) that is implanted under the skin of the animal. It carries a unique number which can be read with a scanner.
Implanting a microchip causes no harm to the animal. As part of the microchipping process the animal owner will complete a microchip subscription form, which will have the pets details recorded together with the contact details of the owner. This information is then placed into a national pet register. Information contained on the register is subject to confidentiality and privacy laws.
- Is microchipping expensive?
No. Implanting costs around $50.00 and is a one off expense.
- Does microchipping replace Council registration?
No. Microchipping forms a permanent, but non-visible, form of identification only. It is not a system of registration.
- Does my dog or cat still have to wear its animal tag supplied by the Council?
Yes. The information on a Council tag forms a visible form of identification and registration. It allows an opportunity for any person, or Council, that may find your pet to re-unite the animal with its owner.
DESEXINGWHY IS COUNCIL PROPOSING TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY DESEXING?
It has been recognized by State Governments that there is an overpopulation of dogs and cats throughout Australia. We are no different in Geelong. Statistics show that over the last 10 years 29% of dogs and 78% of cats that enter Geelong Animal Welfare Society cannot be found homes and are put to sleep (euthanased).
Both dogs and cats can reproduce from an early age. A cat can become pregnant at four months of age! Pets can be safely desexed from 8 weeks of age. Most pets fully recover from the procedure within 24 hours.
- WILL ALL DOGS AND CATS BE REQUIRED TO BE DESEXED?
No. There will be some exemptions for the requirement to desex a dog or cat (eg: breeders, domestic animal businesses where dogs and/or cats are used for breeding as part of the business)
In October 2006 Council conducted a community survey. Of the 1188 response, 75% were in favour of compulsory desexing of cats.
CAT CONFINEMENTWHY INTRODUCE CAT CONFINEMENT?
The survey revealed that 87% of respondents were in favour of some form of cat confinement (29% total confinement and 58% for confinement between sunset and sunrise).The plan proposes that a sunset to sunrise confinement be introduced in the plan's second year.
DOG ON LEASH AREASWHY IS COUNCIL INTRODUCING CONDITIONS THAT DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH WHEN ON ROADS, FOOTPATHS, NATURE STRIPS, SHARED PATHS AND SHOPPING CENTRES?
These conditions are to be introduced to enhance safety for;
> dogs and their owners;
> non dog owners;
> pedestrians; and
> cyclists.
The conditions allow all users of these public places to use the space confidently and in an orderly manner. It further reduces the risk of attacks by dogs and dogs being hurt in vehicle or cycle mishaps; or even an attack by another dog.There are ample areas throughout the municipality where dogs may exercise off leash; provided that the animal is under the direct control of the person in charge of the dog.
WHY MUST DOGS BE ON A LEASH WITHIN 10 METRES OF ANY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT OR BARBECUE AREA?
These conditions are being introduced for the protection of children using playground equipment and also to ensure orderly and safe conduct in areas where food is being cooked for human consumption.
WHY ARE THERE FIVE CATEGORIES OF DOG CONTROLS FOR OTHER OPEN SPACE AREAS?
Council has taken the view that as many opportunities as possible should be given for dog owners to exercise their animals.The categories range from total off leash availability through to dog prohibition in a very small number of areas
