Cat management & control in the City of Tea Tree Gully
Consultation has concluded
Update
July 2024 - Special Meeting of Council
At the Special Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 30 July 2024 regarding the next steps for cat management in the City of Tea Tree Gully, Council decided to proceed with community consultation on draft Cat By-Law No 7.
In line with the requirements of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, at least 21 days prior to the commencement of public consultation, Council must provide a copy of the draft cat by-law along with a report prepared by Council’s solicitors to the Dog and Cat Management Board. Council must then consider any recommendations of the Board relating to the by-law.
Once this process has finished and we have confirmed dates, we will email you to advise when the consultation opens, and let you know how you can find out more information and provide your feedback.
As consultation has not yet commenced, we are not accepting submissions at this time. We appreciate your understanding.
July 2024
At the Council meeting on 22 August 2023, Council resolved that if state government legislation is not progressed by 30 June 2024, the matter will return to Council for further consideration, including draft bylaws and a community engagement strategy.
In response to this resolution, a Special Meeting of Council will take place on Tuesday 30 July 2024 to discuss further considerations for cat management in the City of Tea Tree Gully.
Council decision/outcomes
Thank you to those who took part in our survey and provided feedback. We heard from a broad range of people, including cat and dog owners, with over 3000 people taking part in the survey. We also received 15 other separate written submissions.
Read the community engagement outcomes report
Some key findings from the survey result indicated that:
- 80% were supportive of having rules or legislation to address cat management and control in our Council area
- 94% of respondents supported that all cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age
- 85% of respondents supported compulsory desexing of cats younger than six months
- 85% of respondents supported a possible provision of cats being contained at home at night.
At its meeting on Tuesday 22 August 2023, Council considered the feedback received from the community and decided to write to the Minister for Climate, Environment & Water stating Council:
- remain supportive of statewide cat management legislation
- will await the state government’s draft legislation as part of plans to amend the Dog and Cat Management Act
- that 80% of survey respondents are supportive of having rules or legislation to address cat management and control within the City of Tea Tree Gully
- will provide a copy of the community engagement outcomes report regarding cat management (inclusive of verbatim comments)
- will use data from the community engagement process on cat management to inform Council’s response to the draft legislation when received
- will await making any further decisions about cat management in the City of Tea Tree Gully until the proposed legislation is passed through both houses of the South Australia Parliament to avoid duplicating or contradicting any incoming laws or regulations
While Council voted in favour of awaiting possible state government cat control measures, Council also resolved that if state government legislation is not progressed by 30 June 2024, the matter will return to Council for further consideration, including draft bylaws and a community engagement strategy.
Read the Council reports and minutes for the 22 August Council meeting
Read the latest news article on our website
Background
We are inviting our community to let us know their views on the management and control of cats in the City of Tea Tree Gully.
The South Australia government intends to change (amend) the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. Part of these changes will be provisions for state-wide cat management and enhanced breeder registration requirements.
Council's current position is that cat management should be managed similarly to dog management on a statewide basis through legislation.
The State government is working on a draft Bill for public consultation to amend the Act.
In the meantime, Council would like to understand the community's views on the management and control of cats in our City.
It is important to know that Council has not made any decisions about cat management. Council does not currently have a by-law in relation to cat management in our City.
Council will consider the survey results and all feedback received at a future meeting of Council. This feedback will help inform Council's next steps in relation to cat management in our City.
Links to the relevant Council reports and Council meeting minutes are available on the right hand side of this page.
To get involved and have your say:
- Provide your feedback by completing the survey
Hard copies are available on request and at Council's Civic Centre reception, 571 Montague Road, Modbury - Have a question? Ask us here
If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call us on 8397 7444 or send us a message