Reform Domestic Animal Management Legislation in South Australia

The Hon Paul Caica MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation
GPO Box 1047, ADELAIDE 5001
minister.caica@sa.gov.au

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you to express my concern regarding the current strategy for domestic animal management in South Australia.

It is obvious the strategy issued by The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and implemented by The Dog and Cat Management Board is not working; the numbers of neglected, abused and dumped animals has increased drastically. In 2010- 2011, 65% of the cats and 24% of dogs surrendered to the RSPCA in South Australia were euthanised (statistics from RSPCA South Australia, Annual Report 2010-2011).

As a result, shelters and animal management organisations are at or over capacity; the effect has put massive pressure on their resources. It is becoming increasingly difficult to rehabilitate and re-home the number of animals received, the obvious consequence being that euthanasia rates have increased.

The Department of Local Government in Western Australia recognised the social, economic and environmental impact this problem was having on their state. Taking the lead throughout Australia, they developed and implemented new legislation, the Cat Act 2011. The purpose of the Act is to provide for the control and management of cats and promote their responsible ownership.

The Cat Act 2011 outlines the mandatory provisions for cat ownership; registration with local government, identification through micro chipping and the sterilisation of cats that will not be bred. In addition it restricts breeding, whereby an applicant must fulfill specific requirements to be allowed to and to become an approved breeder.

The Cat Act 2011 received Parliamentary assent on 9 November 2011.

The development of this legislation followed extensive public consultation in July 2010, through the release of a consultation paper seeking input on the proposed legislation.

Five hundred and ninety (590) submissions were received during the consultation period, with overwhelming support (84%) given for the introduction of all three key elements proposed in the consultation paper:

Compulsory identification through micro-chipping;
Compulsory registration; and
Compulsory sterilisation.

While research indicated that legislation will not resolve all problems associated with cats, it will provide the mechanism to:

Encourage responsible cat ownership;
Reduce the number of unwanted cats being bred;
Allow for cats found in a public place or on private property to be seized; and
Allow for reuniting of lost cats with their owners.

I support the campaign to mirror Western Australia’s Cat Act 2011 in South Australia, with modifications to include dogs and other domestic animals (with relevant specifications).

Domestic animal management is a state wide issue which should be taken seriously, as the responsible Minister, I urge you to start legislative reform.

Sincerely,
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