Cat Haven – ‘Our lobbying government helped us get the the new cat laws in WA passed, mandatory desexing and microchipping’
ACAC stats about companion animal regard – we love our pets!
Benefits of companion animals
What justifies this term?
– More cats/kittens available than homes
– Adoption rates for cats plataeuing?
– (Previous preso) showed a 50% euthanasia rate for cats
– Growing feral cat population (wild cats)
Why it is a problem?
– Euthanasia of healthy cats
– Stray and unowned cats cause problems (kill wildlife, fight with other cats, cause nuisance, zoonotic disease)
– Cats not valued (I met someone who had a kitten for their children, and then they got rid of it)
– July 2006 – June 2008 33,000 cats were admitted to RSPCA QLD (65% were euthanised)
Cats are prolific breeders
– Breeding cycle from 5 months. 1.4 litters a year (3 kittens a year survive)
– Stay on season unless they mate
– Cats are good at getting pregnant
RSPCA figs
– Number coming in have stayed steady for the last three years
– Kittens have dropped a little, but still pretty steady
– What we want to see is a reduction of intakes
What does the RSPCA Advocate
– Mandatory desexing of cats by four months of age
– Before sale or transfer
– Mandatory identification
– Awareness of responsible pet ownership
– Accessible, affordable desexing
– Enforcement – there has to be some level of enforcement
Claims mandatory desexing doesn’t work to reduce cat numbers
– There is already a high level of desexing amongst owned cats
– There is a risk of a loss of genetic diversity
– Loss of availability of cats
– It hasn’t worked in the past
– Such a policy is not supported
High level of desesexing
– 90% probably true – however…
– 46% adults. 54% less than <3months
– Removed ‘owner surrenders’ – only 34% that came into the shelter were desexed
– 13% of cats entering shelters are desexed
– 54% of the cats surrendered were kittens (50% were from owned cats)
– 90% being desexed, cats may have had litters before they had a litter
– 20% of owned cats have had a litter* Community Attitudes Towards Cats
– (US) 45% of cats desexed were desexed after 12mths of age
– Claim: number kittens born to ultimately sterilised cats equals number born to cats never sterilised.
Loss of genetic diversity
– No evidence
– Cats move readily between the owned and unowned populations
– Breeders would continue to breed
Drop in availability
– No evidence, but may be a good thing!
– Decline in cat ownership – no link to availability
– Oversupply in shelters (so large, not an issue)
It hasn’t worked in the past
– Why hasn’t it worked?
— No enforcement
— Lack of education
— Lack of funding
The ACT – shows the ACT has the highest percentage of cats that are desexed coming into their shelter (81% of owned cats being surrendered, are desexed). 20% reduction in cat intakes in two years.
– What measures were used to assess it?
— Number surrendered
— Number surrendered that are desexed
– What could help it work?
— Education and communication
— Identification
— Compliance resources
Policy is not supported by stakeholders
– Who are they?
AVA no research – we should do it anyway. Are they worried about their business?
Pet industry – what are their motivations?
No Kill movement – their argument; when they have brought it in, an increase in impoundments. Harder to maintain No Kill. People can’t afford – discrimination. I would argue that better for these animals to come into the shelter, than breeding without being desexed – can’t afford to have it desexed, there will be more cats in shelters. People don’t have their cats desexed for a lot of reasons outside of cost.
– Some stakeholders do support it
Animal managment officers – believe it will reduce cat nuisance
Animal welfare organsations – we have to do the
PETA support it
Shires in the US – couldn’t find any results but it is definitely working.
General public – 87% support in QLD (only 2% strongly oppose mandatory desexing)
In conclusion
– Implementation is complex and must be well planned to include education and compliance
– Desexing must be readily available and affordable
– If ‘before sale’ we need more vets who will offer this
– Enforceable and enforced laws send a strong message about responsible pet ownership
