Victoria’s first cat management strategy launched

A NEW statewide strategy aims to improve cat welfare and protect native wildlife, as the Victorian Government rolls out its first comprehensive cat management plan.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos have unveiled the 10-year strategy, which focuses on responsible pet ownership, increasing desexing rates, and managing unowned and feral cats.

The plan will promote full ownership of semi-owned and unowned cats, with targeted programs to capture, desex, and rehome them.

It also aims to improve information sharing between councils with successful cat management programs and introduce flexible registration options.

The strategy acknowledges cat management as a shared responsibility between councils, the State Government, community members, and animal welfare groups.

Victoria has more than 227,000 registered pet cats, along with a significant number of unregistered, unowned, and feral cats.

Growing cat populations pose a threat to native wildlife and increase pressure on councils and shelters.

Ms Spence said the strategy would help cat owners while also protecting the environment.

“We know how much Victorians love their pet cats,” she said.

“This strategy will help promote responsible cat ownership, while also protecting our environment and native wildlife from cats.

“This is Victoria’s first ever cat management strategy, designed to improve the welfare of our domestic cat population while reducing the burden on rescue shelters and finding wild cats a new safe home.”

Mr Dimopoulos said the strategy, developed with expert advice, would also support rehoming efforts.

“This strategy will help better safeguard our nativewildlife while helping more cats to find a new loving home,” he said.