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What Bendigo Council Did
Cruising cats caught in Bendigo curfew Greater Bendigo City Council's sunset-to-sunrise cat curfew netted a record haul of prowling moggies. In its first month 120 cats, three times the normal monthly capture, were caught out between 8pm and 6am and sent to Bendigo RSPCA shelter. Cats registered on the council's 6000 strong database are returned to owners, who are fined for the infringement. Mayor Greg Williams said the curfew was working well. "We never claimed it would be easy to police but we've had three times as many cats as normal handed into the pound," he said. The curfew was introduced to protect Greater Bendigo's natural environment and to meet resident complaints about cats fighting at night. It has also generated significant local press coverage about responsible pet ownership. "That's ranged from people saying it's totally unreasonable and cats should be able to roam anywhere, anytime, through to other people saying that cats should be locked up 24 hours a day," Cr Williams said. The curfew system relies on residents enforcing the law using council guidelines. They are issued with cat cages that trap the animals. "Residents who make a request to council are lent cages," he said. "There are strict guidelines, with residents signing a document agreeing they will meet cruelty to animal regulations. Officers assess whether the person is reasonable." Unclaimed cats unable to find a suitable home are euthanased after eight days. To Cr Williams' knowledge the council had not received any complaints from angry residents about captured cats accidentally being destroyed. The council is subsidising cat microchipping to further reduce the risk of captured pets not being claimed. Although council will review the curfew's effectiveness, no scientific study will be undertaken to determine whether wildlife numbers in the area have benefited from the scheme. Bendigo RSPCA shelter manager Fred Cameron said after up to 130 cats were caught each month. He said there had also been a marked increase in pet owners dropping their cats off at the shelter because of the curfew.
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Home Page Wildlife at Risk Stock at Risk Pets at Risk People at Risk Who we are Future Plans News & Media Our Critics Resources Contact Us Cat Sightings Form Members Site Map

Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee

What Bendigo Council Did

Cruising cats caught in Bendigo curfew

Greater Bendigo City Council's sunset-to-sunrise cat curfew netted a record haul of prowling moggies.

In its first month 120 cats, three times the normal monthly capture, were caught out between 8pm and 6am and sent to Bendigo RSPCA shelter. Cats registered on the council's 6000 strong database are returned to owners, who are fined for the infringement.

Mayor Greg Williams said the curfew was working well.

"We never claimed it would be easy to police but we've had three times as many cats as normal handed into the pound," he said.

The curfew was introduced to protect Greater Bendigo's natural environment and to meet resident complaints about cats fighting at night. It has also generated significant local press coverage about responsible pet ownership.

"That's ranged from people saying it's totally unreasonable and cats should be able to roam anywhere, anytime, through to other people saying that cats should be locked up 24 hours a day," Cr Williams said.

The curfew system relies on residents enforcing the law using council guidelines. They are issued with cat cages that trap the animals.

"Residents who make a request to council are lent cages," he said.

"There are strict guidelines, with residents signing a document agreeing they will meet cruelty to animal regulations. Officers assess whether the person is reasonable."

Unclaimed cats unable to find a suitable home are euthanased after eight days.

To Cr Williams' knowledge the council had not received any complaints from angry residents about captured cats accidentally being destroyed. The council is subsidising cat microchipping to further reduce the risk of captured pets not being claimed.

Although council will review the curfew's effectiveness, no scientific study will be undertaken to determine whether wildlife numbers in the area have benefited from the scheme. Bendigo RSPCA shelter manager Fred Cameron said after up to 130 cats were caught each month. He said there had also been a marked increase in pet owners dropping their cats off at the shelter because of the curfew.