Community invited to have their say on the next Domestic Animal Management Plan

The City of Greater Geelong is inviting community input into the development of the next Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP).

As a government-legislated document, the DAMP considers the role that cats and dogs play in our broader community.

The DAMP will outline the ways that the City supports responsible pet ownership and animal wellbeing, and aims to balance the needs of the various groups who use our public spaces.

It is important to capture a broad range of views, which is why the engagement is open to everyone in our community, whether they have pets or not.

Walkers, park lovers, cyclists, dog lovers, cat lovers, runners, wildlife conservationists, animal workers all have a role to play in shaping the next DAMP.

The feedback obtained will help the City to accurately identify animal-related issues, benefits, topics the community needs more education on, and how the Animal Management team and programs may better serve the community.

Feedback can be provided via a short online survey, or the community can chat to City officers at various locations or attend a “pop up” consultation.

Hard copy surveys will also be available from Customer Service Centres.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:

Domestic animals are close to a lot of people’s heart, whether they have pets or not.

We want to hear from pet owners, but it’s also important that we capture the views of everyone, and that includes people that love to use the many open spaces we have in our City.

Councillor Chris Burson chair of the Safety, Graffiti and Regulation portfolio:

Let’s work together to create a DAMP that truly reflects the community attitudes towards domestic animals.

Make sure you visit the yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au website before 20 April and attend one of our pop-up consultations if you have more in-depth perspectives to share.