By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM could see a rise in the number of abandoned and feral cats and dogs following an increase in pet registration fees.
Since April this year the cost of registering a microchipped dog or cat with Wyndham Council has increased from $15.20 to $45.50, a figure which Hoppers Crossing resident Joanna Colliver said would cause trouble for the municipality.
“There is no justification for such a rise in the municipality where people are paying sky rocketing home rates,” Ms Colliver said.
“I would like the council to justify the rise in animal registration fees. What do they do for the dogs and cats of most owners?”
Ms Colliver said the increase in fees could also see less people adopting pets from shelters.
“Many people would like to save a dog or a cat from a shelter, often more than one animal, but paying such a fee will be a deterrent for them,” she said.
“Another scenario is that others will not register their pets at all.”
According to the council’s most recent Domestic Animal Management Plan, there is already an increasing amount of stray cats being found in Wyndham.
“There is emerging evidence of a large increase in un-owned cats,” the plan states.
“Un-owned domestic or feral cats are a nuisance in the community and a risk to owned cats through the spread of disease (such a feline aids) and injuries from cat fights.”
But Wyndham Council CEO, Kerry Thompson, said the increased fees were the result of State Government legislation.
“A new fee schedule for pet registration (under the Domestic Animals Act 1994) was introduced by the State Government across Victoria on 11 April 2013,” Ms Thompson said.
“The changes mean that any animal registered after 11 April 2013 is no longer eligible for a discount from the State Government because it is microchipped.”
“Wyndham City uses the funds collected through animal registration fees to cover the costs of operating the animal management service, including the Municipal Pound, and towards a domestic animal welfare fund.”
