NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN

Transcription

1 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN G2Z Steering Committee Presenter: Joy Verrinder BA MBA MA (Professional Ethics & Governance)

2 WHY?

3 A HUGE ARRAY OF ACTIVITY IN MOST STATES ACT PERMIT REQ TO KEEP AN ENTIRE CAT (FROM 3 MONTHS) TAS & GCCC - ANYONE WHO BREEDS REQ TO DESEX PRIOR TO SALE OR TRANSFER INDIV COUNCILS E.G. MORETON BAY REG COUNCIL BREEDER PERMITS NSW TASKFORCE BREEDER & SELLER PERMITS RECOMMENDED SA SELECT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - BREEDER PERMITS & DESEXING CATS BEFORE SALE MICROCHIPPING REQ IN ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, TAS BUT NOT WITH BREEDER DETAILS

4 OBJECTIVES TO SEEK AGREEMENT ON THE NEED FOR COMMON LEGISLATION : easier for communities to understand and comply therefore better for the welfare and management of domestic and feral cats. TO WORK TOWARDS CONSISTENT, EFFECTIVE (STATE BASED) BREEDING LEGISLATION AND POLICIES IN LINE WITH AN ETHICAL APPROACH (THAT IMPROVES THE WELL-BEING OF DOMESTIC CATS, OTHER ANIMALS, AND COMMUNITIES).

5 WHY CAT FOCUS?

6 CONSIDERABLE WORK UNDERWAY PUPPY FARMING ISSUES NATIONAL CONSULTATION BY RSPCA AUSTRALIA IN 2010

7 HEALTH ISSUES E.G. FLU FROM STRESSFUL & CONTAGIOUS CROWDED ENVIRONMENT

8 VERY FRIGHTENED CATS

9 WE DON T WANT THEM HAVING TO COPE WITH THESE CONDITIONS EITHER

10 CATS 3 X THE EUTHANASIA RATE OF DOGS IN POUNDS AND SHELTERS IN AUSTRALIA

11 BREEDING RATES FASTER THAN DOGS; AND HUMANS MORE CATS NEEDING HOMES THAN HOMES OFFERED AT ANY ONE TIME

12 NSW GOVT COMPANION ANIMAL TASKFORCE IN % OF LIFETIME REGISTERED CATS ON THE COMPANION ANIMAL REGISTER WERE DESEXED 43% OF THE ALMOST MICROCHIPPED CATS ON THE COMPANION ANIMAL REGISTER LISTED AS DESEXED

13 CURRENT NUMBERS NSW STATE FIGURES 64% OF CATS EUTHANASED IN 2011/12 NATIONAL EXTRAPOLATION: ABANDONED EUTHANASED LATEST RESEARCH: 56% NATIONALLY FROM CURRENT INCOMPLETE DATA ABLE TO BE GATHERED SO FAR FROM POUNDS AND SHELTERS

14 IS THIS NUMBER REDUCING? MINIMALLY NSW POUNDS 2005/6 68% CATS EUTHANASED RANGE ACROSS DIFFERENT CITIES/SHIRES FROM 43% -95% (more than 60% in all but 4 regions) NSW POUNDS 2011/12 64% CATS EUTHANASED I.E. 4% REDUCTION IN 6 YEARS

15 ARE THERE SOME BETTER MODELS IN AUSTRALIA? YES Whole of city data IN 2011/12 ACT - 34% OF ALL STRAY AND SURRENDERED CATS EUTHANIZED GOLD COAST CITY - 27% OF ALL STRAY & SURRENDERED CATS EUTHANIZED SINCE % reduction in incoming stray cats 50% reduction in euthanasia of cats

16 HAS YOUR CITY/SHIRE HAD SUCCESS? CONTACT SHARE YOUR SUCCESSFUL STATISTICS AND HOW THESE WERE ACHIEVED SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES SUCCESSFUL POLICIES

17 ARE THERE SOME BETTER MODELS INTERNATIONALLY? WASHOE COUNTY ANIMAL MANAGEMENT WITH NEVADA HUMANE SOCIETY % % I.E CATS TAKEN IN 500 EUTHANASED 3 CITIES IN OKLAHOMA I.E. CLAREMORE, LAWTON AND TULSA REDUCED EUTHANASIA RATES THROUGH BREEDER & SELLER LEGISLATION AND AVAILABILITY OF LOW COST DESEXING

18 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN COVERS DOMESTIC CATS HAVE HAD HUMAN CONTACT BUT MAY BE CURRENTLY: owned, semi-owned, unowned, stray, abandoned or a community cat (no specific owner but may be fed by one or a number of people, or by no one finds own food)

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21 DO MOST YARDS HAVE CAT SAFE FENCING??

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24 STATE GOVERNMENT RELEASES CATS CATS ARRIVED WITH EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT AND SPREAD FROM A NUMBER OF INTRODUCTIONS AS PETS AND PEST CONTROL AGENTS, BETWEEN 1824 AND CATS WERE PURPOSELY ESTABLISHED ON RURAL PROPERTIES TO CONTROL RATS, MICE, AND RABBITS -ALSO INTRODUCED BY EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT. IN 1886, 400 CATS TRANSPORTED TO BOURKE IN WESTERN NSW AND SENT TO TOGO STATION ON THE PAROO RIVER, 130 MILES FURTHER WEST. IN 1899, 200 CATS WERE RELEASED BETWEEN EYRE SAND PATCH AND MT RAGGED IN WA, WHEREVER TRACES OF RABBITS WERE SEEN. IN 1936, THE WA GOVT PURCHASED CATS FOR RELEASE AT EUCLA, 13 KM WEST OF THE SA BORDER. Denny, E. & Dickman, C. Review of cat ecology and management strategies in Australia. Institute of Wildlife Research, University of Sydney, February 2010.

25 STATE GOVERNMENT DECLARES WAR ON FERAL ANIMALS IN OUTBACK AS NATIVE CRITTERS PUSHED TO THE BRINK BY:DES HOUGHTON FROM:THE COURIER-MAIL JULY 20, :00AM

26 FERALS RUN WILD MORE THAN 4000 CATS HAVE BEEN SHOT IN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AFTER SCIENTISTS WARNED THEY WERE WIPING OUT ENDANGERED NATIVE BIRDS AND BILBIES.

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28 FERALS U N OW N ED & UNSOCIALISED (FEARFUL OF HUMANS L IKE ANY OTHER W ILD ANIMAL) W ILL BE ADDRESSED IN A SEPARATE PLAN

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30 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN DISCUSSION PAPER HOW ALL STAKEHOLDERS CAN HELP! STATE GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS ANIMAL WELFARE SHELTERS/RESCUE GROUPS/DESEXING ORGANISATIONS BREEDERS SELLERS OF CATS E.G. PET SHOPS; IN VETERINARIANS VETERINARY SCHOOLS AND VETERINARY STUDENTS CAT OWNERS VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY MEMBERS JOURNALISTS REAL ESTATE BODIES WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION GROUPS

31 BASED ON WHAT IS WORKING!

32 LET S GO!!

33 STATE GOVT CONTRIBUTION NATIONALLY CONSISTENT STATE-WIDE BREEDER & SELLER PERMIT SYSTEM CONSISTENT MICROCHIPPING FROM THE BREEDER ALL POUNDS AND RESCUE GROUPS REQUIRED TO DESEX ALL CATS AND KITTENS PRIOR TO REHOMING (SUPPORTED BY FOSTER CARE PROGRAM) CAT REGISTRATION AS A MEANS OF FUNDING RETURN HOME DESEXING AND EDUCATION RESOURCES PET FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS

34 WHICH STATE DEPARTMENTS GOALS ARE BEING MET LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANIMAL WELFARE ENVIRONMENT

35 BREEDER PERMIT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT Stakeholder Coalition Requirement to publish Breeder Permit Numbers Awareness Promotion Code Standards Meeting with all breeders A nationally consistent register of permitted breeders Inspection system User pays System Based on Costs Reasonable Workable Desexing of all kittens prior to sale with desexing subsidy support

36 1. GC/QLD STAKEHOLDER COALITION STATE GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS & RESCUE GROUPS BREEDERS SELLERS OF CATS E.G. PET SHOP ASSOC VETERINARY ASSOCIATION WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION GROUPS

37 CODES WITH STANDARDS APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO BREEDS ER-CODE-PRACTICE%281%29.PDF NEW DPI VIC CODE (STILL UNDER REVISION) IS THOROUGH DATA/ASSETS/PDF_FILE/0004/ /CODE-OF-PRACTICE-FOR-THE-OPERATION-OF-BREEDING-AND- REARING-BUSINESSES-REVISION-1-CONSULTATION-DRAFT-JULY PDF

38 WHO SHOULD INSPECT? WELL... WHO BENEFITS Local communities cat lovers, new cat owners, those who find cats a nuisance, and cat haters all benefit WHO MANAGES LOCAL COMMUNITIES INTERESTS? LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT Fewer unwanted cats to manage - accidental breeders get a permit or get their animals desexed User pays Long term gains of fewer abandoned cats

39 USER PAYS INSPECTIONS WHY? 1. BREEDERS - LIKE BUILDERS, ELECTRICIANS, DOCTORS, TEACHERS - NEED TO BE REGISTERED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO DEMONSTRATE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS (ANIMALS) AND SERVICES (ADVICE AND SUPPORT) 2. BREEDERS CAN (AND DO) SERIOUSLY IMPACT ON PEOPLE S AND ANIMALS LIVES IF THEY ARE NOT SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIVES THEY GENERATE 3. IN BREEDERS BEST INTERESTS - PROVE THEY MEET STANDARDS ACCEPTABLE TO COMMUNITY; COMMUNITY CAN RECOGNISE RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS OVER SHONKY ONES!

40 REQUIREMENT TO PUBLISH BREEDER PERMIT NUMBER IF THE HOLDER OF THE PERMIT ADVERTISES AN ANIMAL, INCLUDING AN ANIMAL OF A LITTER, FOR SALE OR DISPOSAL THE ADVERTISEMENT MUST SPECIFY THE PERMIT NUMBER ALLOCATED TO THE PERMIT BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. NEED CONSISTENCY IN NUMBER FORMAT FOR EASY RECOGNITION BY CONSUMERS, GOVERNMENT & WELFARE AGENCIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA

41 GC LOCAL LAW & CODE STANDARDS DESEXING REQUIREMENTS S35. THE HOLDER OF THE PERMIT MUST NOT SELL AN ANIMAL OF A LITTER WHICH IS A CAT, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THE CAT, UNLESS THE CAT IS AT LEAST 10-WEEKSOF AGE. S38. THE HOLDER OF THE PERMIT MUST NOT SELL OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF AN ANIMAL WHICH IS A CAT OR AN ANIMAL OF A LITTER OF A CAT, UNLESS A) PRIOR TO THE SALE OR DISPOSAL, THE HOLDER OBTAINS FROM A VETERINARY SURGEON A CERTIFICATE STATING, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF, EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: THAT THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN DESEXED THAT DESEXING THE ANIMAL IS LIKELY TO BE A SERIOUS RISK TO THE ANIMAL S HEALTH B) THE ANIMAL IS SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF TO THE HOLDER OF A CURRENT ANIMAL BREEDER PERMIT.

42 PET SELLERS SELLER PERMITS REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY/PUBLISH RECORD SOURCE OF ANIMALS I.E. OWNER/BREEDER NAME AND DETAILS DESEXING OF KITTENS PRIOR TO SALE OR TRANSFER SALE NOT BEFORE10 WEEKS TO ENABLE TIME FOR THAT

43 MICROCHIPPING FROM THE BEGINNING OF EACH CAT S LIFE BREEDER S DETAILS RECORDED PREFERABLY, REGISTERED AND WITH A NAME TAG WITH CONTACT DETAILS SHARING ACROSS MICROCHIP DATABASES

44 REGISTRATION MUST BE VERY LOW COST E.G. $10 ANNUAL AN INCENTIVE TO DESEX USED AND PROMOTED AS A SERVICE TO PAY FOR RETURN OF ANIMALS DIRECTLY HOME (DISTINGUISH FROM MICROCHIPPING)

45 PET FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION NATIONALLY CONSISTENT LEGISLATION AND POLICIES TO ENABLE RESPONSIBLE KEEPING OF PETS IN STRATA TITLE, RENTAL PROPERTIES ETC ACT, NSW

46 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATION OF USER PAYS BREEDER & SELLER PERMIT LEGISLATION INCLUDING DESEXING & MICROCHIPPING OF KITTENS PRIOR TO SALE OR TRANSFER BY BREEDERS/PET SELLERS COOPERATIVE DESEXING PROGRAM FUNDING FOR OWNED CATS DESEXING PRIOR TO REHOMING FROM POUNDS COALITIONS OF LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS

47 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OWNER SUPPORT RETURN CATS HOME RATHER THAN IMPOUND WAIVE INFRINGEMENT FEES IN RETURN FOR POSITIVE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER WANDERING E.G. DESEXING SUBSIDIES, APPROPRIATE FENCING/ENRICHMENT OPTIONS PROVIDE DESEXING SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ADOPT AND DESEX STRAY OR UNOWNED CATS A COMMUNITY SERVICE. PROVIDE ANIMAL HELPLINES PROVIDE INFORMATION ON CAT CONTAINMENT MEASURES BOOKLET.PDF

48 COMMUNITY DESEXING SUBSIDY PROGRAM LOCAL GOVT SAVES HUGE $ Cat management strategies COSTS/SAVINGS held 4 days (on average) Collect/ Hold/ Euthanase One cat Council Desexing Subsidy One cat Savings by preventing one unwanted kitten / or one litter $220 $40 $180 /$220 $ Savings in 1 year if 250 cats desexed, preventing one litter each COSTS held 14 days (on average) $400 $40 $360 / $440 $

49 PLUS RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT DECLINING INCOMING NUMBERS Figure 2 Gold Coast Kittens 2005/6-2010/ Incoming Reclaimed Rehomed Euthanased /06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11

50 LOCAL GOVT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SHARE STATISTICS EDUCATE WITH POSITIVE SOLUTIONS INVOLVE VET STUDENTS

51 ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS (HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENT) SHELTER VET CLINICS FOR DESEXING, MICROCHIPPING, TREATMENT FOR REHOMING COMMUNITY VET CLINICS FOR OWNED ANIMALS COOPERATIVE DESEXING PROGRAMS FACILITATE LOCAL PET SHOPS BECOMING REHOMING AGENTS FOR DESEXED ANIMALS BY PROVIDING: low cost desexing services collection and return services

52 ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS (HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENT) FORM STAKEHOLDER COALITIONS ENCOURAGE ALL TO BE HONEST ABOUT CONCERNS CONTRIBUTE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS

53 BREEDERS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY COALITIONS & HELP DEVELOP BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS SUPPORT BREEDER PERMIT SYSTEMS DESEX & MICROCHIP KITTENS PRIOR TO SALE AT 10 WEEKS ONLY BREED WHEN HAVE IDENTIFIED RESPONSIBLE HOMES I.E. PRE-PLAN PRODUCE WELL-SOCIALISED HEALTHY ANIMALS EDUCATE AND SUPPORT OWNERS TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE AND HAPPY TAKE BACK AND REHOME WHEN NEEDED FIND HOMES FOR BREEDING ANIMALS

54 SELLERS SOURCE ANIMALS ONLY FROM POUNDS/SHELTERS/ABANDONED CATS/KITTENS FROM PUBLIC/BREEDERS WITH A PERMIT ALL CATS/KITTENS DESEXED & MICROCHIPPED (WITH BREEDER DETAILS) GUARANTEE A HOME FOR LIFE -TAKE BACK AND ASSIST WITH REHOMING EDUCATE AND SUPPORT OWNERS TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE AND HAPPY

55 VETERINARIANS PROFICIENT IN DESEXING OF CATS FROM 8-10 WEEKS PROMOTE THIS SERVICE TO BREEDERS, SELLERS, OWNERS, LOCAL POUNDS/SHELTERS BE AWARE OF POUND/SHELTER EUTHANASIA RATES & PART OF COMMUNITY COALITIONS WORK WITH ANIMAL WELFARE/LOCAL GOVT TO PARTNER IN COMMUNITY DESEXING SUBSIDY PROGRAMS EDUCATE HOW TO KEEP CATS HAPPY & SAFE IN THEIR OWN YARDS OFFER GUIDANCE/REFERENCES TO DEVELOP LOCAL REAL ESTATE AND STRATA TITLE SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNERS BEING WELCOMED

56 VET SCHOOLS TRAINING & INVOLVEMENT WITH LOCAL POUNDS AND SHELTERS EXPERIENCE WITH DESEXING KITTENS FROM 8-10 WEEKS AWARENESS OF CAT ISSUES & SOLUTIONS AVENUES FOR POST GRADUATE SHELTER MEDICINE EXPERTISE & ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

57 CAT OWNERS DESEX & MICROCHIP CATS FROM 8-10 WEEKS, UNLESS HAVE A BREEDER PERMIT KEEPING CONTACT DETAILS UP TO DATE ON MICROCHIP/REGISTRATION DATABASES KEEPING CATS SAFE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR STRAYS IDENTIFYING OWNERS, OR DESEXING, ADOPTING OR REHOMING PETITIONING LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS FOR BREEDER PERMIT SYSTEM

58 VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY MEMBERS HELP WITH ORGANISATION OF DESEXING PROGRAMS COORDINATE SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE SOLUTIONS. ESPECIALLY INVOLVE UPPER PRIMARY/.SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THEIR LOCAL POUND/SHELTER WORK CONTRIBUTE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR SOLUTIONS FOSTER DONATE & FUNDRAISE PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAMS TO DESEX, IDENTIFY, KEEP SAFE & HEALTHY

59 JOURNALISTS SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT SOLUTIONS REPORT ON POSITIVE ANIMAL WELFARE INITIATIVES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WELFARE GROUPS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

60 REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS PROMOTE CAT FRIENDLY AGREEMENTS TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN APPROPRIATE AREAS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE OWNERS - ENCOURAGE VET REFERENCES, TRAINING CERTIFICATES ETC

61 WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION GROUPS WORK WITH ANIMAL WELFARE/LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON STAKEHOLDER COALITIONS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND DEVELOP ETHICAL SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT PROMOTE BREEDER PERMIT SYSTEMS & CAT AND KITTEN DESEXING TO PREVENT ABANDONED CATS PROMOTE APPROPRIATE CAT SAFE FENCING TO LIMIT WANDERING AND PREDATION

62 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN SO HOW CAN YOU HELP?? EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY

63 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN READ THE DISCUSSION PAPER SHARE WITH YOUR MANAGERS, COUNCIL STAFF, BOARDS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ETC SEND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

64 FEEDBACK FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS: WHICH OF THESE STRATEGIES DOES YOUR ORGANISATION SUPPORT? ALTERNATIVE SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES YOU HAVE TO OFFER? HOW YOU THINK THESE STRATEGIES CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED? ANY STRATEGIES ALREADY IN PLACE IN YOUR CITY/SHIRE? YOUR SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENTS (WITH STATS) ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE.

65 FEEDBACK ARRANGE A MEETING WITH A G2Z REPRESENTATIVE TO DISCUSS THESE STRATEGIES, EITHER BY ATTENDING ONE OF YOUR ORGANISATION'S MEETINGS OR A PERSONAL OR SKYPE MEETING WITH A KEY REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR ORGANISATION, PLEASE INFO@G2Z.ORG.AU. SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE TO INFO@G2Z.ORG.AU BY 04/11/13. ONLINE RESPONSE OPTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA THE G2Z WEBSITE FROM OCTOBER 2013.

66 THEN WHAT? YOUR RESPONSES WILL ADD TO OR MODIFY THE PROPOSAL THE REVISED DOCUMENT WILL BE ADDRESSED AT A NATIONAL MEETING OF STAKEHOLDER REPRESENTATIVES TO REFINE AND PRODUCE A STRONGLY SUPPORTED WAY FORWARD FOR NATIONAL CONSISTENCY WORK WITH YOU TO PUT THE PLAN INTO ACTION THROUGH G2Z WEBSITE.

67 NATIONAL CAT ACTION PLAN PROPOSED TIMELINE DRAFT 6 Fri Public release of Plan at 5 th National G2Z Summit Mon Distribute Discussion Paper to all Stakeholders Thu Invite stakeholder leaders to National Meeting October 2013 Face to face, phone or Skype contact/meetings with stakeholders to address issues & gather feedback Mon Response due from all stakeholders Refine proposal with options for discussion at meeting Tue National Cat Action Plan meeting with stakeholder organisation leaders to refine and plan implementation Mon Send Revised Action Plan to stakeholder participants Wed Seek written endorsements from stakeholders Fri Endorsements due from stakeholders Mon G2Z Cat Action Plan to State and Australian Governments for response. Media release, Plan available on G2Z website with community actions e.g. petitioning if needed Mon Request meetings with all State Governments March - May Government meetings and further follow-up June G2Z Steering Committee meeting to discuss next steps

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