Community Engagement Initiative Aims to Improve Nighttime Cat Management
Wyndham City is inviting the local community to share their thoughts and opinions on the existing cat curfew, which has been implemented to ensure that cats do not roam freely between 10 pm and 6 am.
The call for public feedback comes as part of the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025, and it is aimed at gauging the effectiveness of the cat curfew in meeting the needs of the community. Mayor of Wyndham City, Cr Susan McIntyre, expressed the importance of this consultation process, stating, “We’d like to know if cat curfews, where owners are asked to restrict their cats to their properties between 10 pm and 6 am, are meeting the needs of our community. This feedback is encouraged from cat owners and the general community.”
The initiative to limit cats’ outdoor activities during nighttime hours serves several purposes, including addressing concerns of nuisance to neighbours, protecting indigenous wildlife from predatory cats, and reducing the risk of feral cat encounters, which can lead to the spread of diseases through injuries sustained in catfights.
Wyndham City emphasizes a commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership, which includes desexing and microchipping pets and adhering to the cat curfew. Cr Susan McIntyre acknowledged the positive pet owners within the community but also recognized that improvements can be made, as instances of cats found roaming at night persist. As part of its efforts, the Council provides educational resources on responsible pet ownership and can guide pet owners to useful information regarding cat containment solutions and cat enclosures.
To participate in this important feedback process, community members are encouraged to share their views before the deadline on November 20, 2023, by visiting the following website: [https://theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/cat-curfew]
In addition to the online platform, residents can also engage in face-to-face discussions at scheduled drop-in sessions:
– Session 1: Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Wyndham Pound, 1/6 Wallace Ave, Point Cook.
– Session 2: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Reception area of the Wyndham Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee.
– Session 3: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from 9 AM to 11 AM at the Manor Lakes Community Centre, 86 Manor Lakes Boulevard, Manor Lakes.
Wyndham City encourages the active participation of its residents to shape the future of cat management policies within the community.
