Keep your cat contained or cop a fine

Following a growing number of complaints about cats – both domestic and feral – killing native wildlife and even other people’s pets Council is warning cat owners to contain their pets to their own properties or risk a fine.

Council’s Local Laws Manager Phil Amson says it is every cat owner’s responsibility, under Noosa’s Local Laws, to prevent their pet from roaming, be it through natural areas, neighbourhoods or other people’s properties.

“In order to deal with nuisance and aggressive domestic and feral cats Council’s Local Law and Environment Officers are working with affected residents to capture wandering cats using approved and humane devices,” Mr Amson said.

“The cat’s owner can expect to pay a $250 impoundment fee to retrieve their pet, in addition to a $261 infringement for allowing the cat to wander. And if the cat isn’t microchipped, which is required by law, the owner may be issued with an additional $261 fine,” Mr Amson said.

Council’s Environmental Services Manager Craig Doolan said microchipping not only helped staff reunite cat with owner, it distinguished a domestic cat from a feral one, which staff may euthanise.

“Roaming cats can attack and maim local wildlife as well as other people’s pets. The roaming cats themselves are also at risk of being attacked and injured by feral cats.

“The message is simple,” Mr Amson said. “It’s in every cat owner’s best interest to keep their cat contained, not only to avoid a fine, but to spare our birds and other wildlife.”

For more information about keeping a cat in Noosa Shire, visit Council’s website.

3 August 2018