Published on Monday, 26 June 2023 at 1:07:29 PM
Shire of Pingelly - Cat Local Law proposal
The Shire of Pingelly is considering making a new Cat Local Law, in line with adjacent local governments.
The Cat Act provides that a Cat Local Law may be made.
Adjacent local governments including the Shires of Cuballing, Narrogin and Boddington have made a local law which has effect within their local government area. These local laws combined with feral cat control have demonstrated an impact, as numbat numbers within Dryandra National Park have rebounded in recent years. However, it is estimated that there are fewer then 1,000 numbats left in the wild.
Pet cats kill approximately 186 animals per year on average, including 110 native animals (40 reptiles, 38 birds and 32 mammals). This average includes pet cats which are contained. On average, an individual feral cat in the bush kills 748 reptiles, birds and mammals a year. Many of these animals are native animals. Foxes and cats killed more than 2.6 billion animals in Australia each year – Source www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-03-16/cats-foxs-feralpests-native-wildlife/100902790
In Western Australia, 36 mammals, 22 bird and 11 reptile species are vulnerable to predation by both feral and pet cats and a wide range of other native animals are also adversely affected by cats.
Australia-wide, cats have played a major role in the extinction of at least 27 mammal species and at present endanger 147 Australian mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Feral cats are recognised by the Environment and Invasives Committee as an extreme threat category for Australia (the highest threat).
The Cat Act 2011 requires cats to be desexed, microchipped and registered. In addition, it states that cats are not permitted on private land (e.g. the neighbouring property), effectively requiring that cats are to be contained on their owner’s land.
Before formally commencing the process to make a Cat Local Law, the Shire of Pingelly is seeking your input to draft the law. The initial draft proposes the following:
- Cats not to create a nuisance.
- Prohibit cats from bushland areas greater than 5,000m2 – whether private property or reserve land.
- Restrict the number of cats to 2 per property with approval available for an additional 2 cats if appropriate.
Please click on this link to access a draft model of the proposed Cat Local Law.
We value your feedback and look forward toto hearing from the community.
Feedback can be given via email at admin@pingelly.wa.gov.au
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