Victorian cat management strategy
Cats play a complex role in society. They are a beloved pet offering affection and companionship to many Victorians. However, predation by cats also poses a significant threat to wildlife.
Victoria has a comprehensive cat management framework that promotes responsible and humane management of cats, yet issues such as cat overpopulation and overcrowding in pounds and shelters continue.
The main groups involved in cat management are cat owners, local councils, shelters, animal welfare organisations, state government departments and agencies. Each of these groups have different roles, responsibilities, and challenges.
The Victorian Government has developed the first state-wide cat management strategy (the strategy) to address the challenges surrounding cat management in our community.
The draft strategy has been developed after extensive research, expert insights, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including councils, animal welfare organisations, land managers, conservation groups and veterinary professionals.
The strategy’s objectives are to:
- promote cat welfare and responsible ownership,
- protect the environment and community from the negative impacts of cats; and
- improve processes, cooperation and knowledge sharing in cat management.
The strategy acknowledges the importance of responding to cat management issues in a more integrated and coordinated way.
The strategy’s themes include:
- Promote cat welfare and responsible cat ownership
- Increase cat desexing rates
- Expand cat containment
- Reduce the impacts of semi-owned and unowned cats
- Manage feral cat populations and impacts
- Improve collaboration and information sharing
- Improve laws and processes
The strategy seeks to create a shared vision for a more effective approach to cat management in Victoria.
Have your say on the draft Victorian cat management strategy
We invite those involved in cat management, cat owners and anyone else with an interest in cats to review the draft strategy and provide their input.
Your feedback will assist us in developing a final strategy that is practical and realistic in its actions, aimed at improving cat management across Victoria.
Please take the time to review the draft strategy and either complete the survey or submit a written response.
Read the draft strategy at Engage Victoria.