Cat management & control in the City of Tea Tree Gully
Consultation has concluded
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
