Cat owners be warned - from mid 2020 annual permits of $80 will be required for cats that are not desexed by four months of age, on top of their registration.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Office of Local Government responded to questions from the Guardian News regarding the matter, which was raised by Cr Anne Smyth at the August 31 council meeting.
Cr Smyth said there were concerns in the public that nothing was happening to control roaming cats.
"I'm asking for a report as well as a couple of letters to be sent, to find out what the State Government is doing about this problem ... and whether the Responsible Pet Ownership Reference Group has made any recommendations to it yet."
She cited 2014 figures by the then Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, that put the number of feral and stray cats in Australia at around 20 million, killing up to 20 billion animals per year.
Yesterday a spokeswoman for the OLG said the Responsible Pet Ownership Reference Group was instrumental in helping to inform the recent package of companion animal laws.
"This package includes several measures designed to reduce the incidence of roaming and stray cats and strengthen how they are managed," the spokeswoman said.
"These $80 permits will strengthen incentives to desex cats, reducing accidental litters and other unwanted cats that often become strays.
"In addition, desexed cats are less likely to wander, escape and fight with other animals.
She said it was important as many cats as possible were microchipped and registered to help councils take effective compliance action.
"A range of maximum penalties and on-the-spot fines have also been increased under the legislation, for example, the fines for failing to microchip a cat have increased from $165 to $180 and for failing to register from $275 to $330."
In addition a comprehensive package of Good Neighbour resources has been released by Responsible Pet Ownership Reference Group member, the Cat Protection Society of NSW, with the support of the NSW Government, councils and other stakeholders.
This material helps pet owners understand the importance of confining cats to their property and provides practical advice about how to do so.
