Media Release: HELPER LAUNCHES WHO'S FOR CATS? CAMPAIGN

FROM THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE

DATE: Thursday, December 6, 2007

HELPER LAUNCHES WHO'S FOR CATS? CAMPAIGN

The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, today joined the Cat Protection Society to urge people to restrain from feeding Victoria’s half a million stray or feral cats, and arrange for any strays to be collected by the local council.

Mr Helper joined the Cat Protection Society’s Dr Carole Webb at The Lost Dogs’ Home animal shelter to jointly launch an innovative public education campaign to educate Victorians about what they can do to help ease a growing problem.

“People think they are being kind by feeding stray or feral cats without realising they are contributing to a massive problem that condemns the animals to a life of disease, neglect, public nuisance and threats to native wildlife,” Mr Helper said.

“Research by Monash University indicates that one in five people admit to feeding stray or feral cats.”

Mr Helper said if people wanted to help they should either take full responsibility for the cat they are feeding or arrange to have the cat collected by their local council.

“Feeding a stray or feral cat enables it to grow strong enough to reproduce, condemning its kittens to a life of disease and neglect,” Mr Helper said.

“Every year around 50,000 cats are impounded and 35,000 of those are euthanased due to poor health or because homes can not be found for them.

“This is unacceptable on ethical and animal welfare grounds.

“If people choose to take ownership of the cat they need to have it checked by a vet, desexed, registered with the local council and look after it properly, including keeping the cat indoors at night.

“I urge people who can not take full responsibility for the cat to contact their council to have it collected.”

Eleven animal welfare and industry organisations are taking part in this public education campaign, which will run throughout the state for a minimum of 12 months.

The campaign was initiated by the Minister for Agriculture’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC).

Organisations supporting the campaign are the Animal Welfare Science Centre, Australian Veterinary Association, Cat Protection Society, Department of Primary Industries, Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Monash University, Municipal Association of Australia, Pet Industry Association of Australia, RSPCA, The Lost Dogs’ Home and Victorian Animal Aid.