The Tasmanian Greens today called for a clear timeframe for the implementation of the Cat Control Act which was passed by Parliament at the end of 2009, but still has not commenced.
Greens Environment and Animal Welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said too many cats continue to roam the streets with no microchip or registration tag causing distress to families and unnecessarily long delays in returning pets to their families.
Ms O’Connor MP also said cat owners have an inherent responsibility to their pets and the local wildlife to ensure proper registration processes are followed.
“The new cat legislation which was passed by the Parliament over a year ago is very important in protecting family pets and local wildlife by ensuring pets are de-sexed and microchipped, and the community deserves to know when to expect it to come into force,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Reducing unwanted strays through legislated de-sexing and microchipping pets are some good measures to ensure responsible pet ownership to reduce the number of strays roaming the streets, as well as distress to families whose pets cannot be identified.”
“By reducing cat breeding to registered breeders only, there will be a decrease in unwanted strays and also provide a boon to the wildlife which can suffer at the claws of these abandoned and stray cats.”
“What is really needed now, is a clear and definitive timeline on the cat legislation, however all cat owners are encouraged to get their pets de-sexed and microchipped as soon as possible,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment and Animal Welfare spokesperson
