By ALESHA CAPONE
IF YOUR pet moggie likes to stay until midnight, be warned.
In the next few months Hobsons Bay City Council will consider introducing a cat curfew throughout the area.
Councillor Colleen Gates posted the news online last week, announcing the council would soon review its
Domestic Animal Management Plan.
Nathan Miles from the Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue Inc (WSCKRI) said a curfew would be a positive step forward in combating stray cat levels.
Other Melbourne councils including Bayside, Whitehorse and Maroondah have introduced cat curfews.
In Bayside, felines must be indoors by 9pm or owners face a $2000 fine.
“It (the curfew) is a good thing for owned cats. But there are also strays who can’t be curfewed,” Mr Miles said.
“It’s in the cat’s best interests not to be roaming the streets at night. They can get into cat fights, run over or poisoned by people.
“It’s also not in the best interests for native wildlife either for cats to roam around at night.”
Mr Miles said WSCKRI was advocating for state-wide cat curfews and mandatory de-sexing laws.
“Lately in Altona Meadows, we’ve been doing some jobs down there,” he said.
“Most of the calls have been about stray cats and cats which people are feeding, but not looking after or anything like that.”
Cr Gates said the law allowed property owners to seize a cat if it has been on private property more than once without permission.
She said the council has nine free cat traps which they loan out to residents, but there was a waiting list of up to three weeks.
“Given the demand for cages is quite high at the moment, council will be purchasing another three cages,” she said.
Cats caught in the traps delivered to the council, then taken to the Lost Dogs Home and if suitable re-housed or euthanased.
Anyone wanting to adopt, rehome or who needs help rescuing a cat can contact Mr Miles on 0400 988 931. Residents can contact the council on 9932 1000.
