Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee

Advertiser 17-12-05
$50 a year to keep a cat in the northeast
By XANTHE KLEINIG
17dec05

CATS in Tea Tree Gully are closer to being treated like dogs - with owners penalised for misbehaviour - after a council decision this week.

Tea Tree Gully Council this week agreed to a cat management policy, making it the only metropolitan council to follow the lead of Kangaroo Island in introducing registration of cats.

The council policy suggests an annual cat registration fee of $50.

The policy also sets a timeline for a night curfew and the containment of cats to their owners' properties. Tea Tree Gully Cat Support spokeswoman Helen Wright, said yesterday that the group opposed the move.

"They are going for the big stuff, the big stick approach with by-laws and registration," she said.

CATS Incorporated president Christine Pierson, a sterilisation assistance group active in the area for almost 20 years, said it was "totally opposed" to the introduction of by-laws to manage cats. "It does not address the issue, it will not solve the problem and will cost the ratepayers millions," she said. The council has agreed on more community consultation before it introduces by-laws for cat owners.

Tea Tree Gully council general manager Bill Chandler said the council had been considering the issue for more than two years.

"This is probably one of the most comprehensive policies," he said.

"I don't think any (councils) have introduced a package of things that council has decided to move forward on."

Under the changes the numbers of cats would be limited and owners would be responsible for keeping cats in their yards.

Cat-owner Ruth Miller, 37, has three cats at her home in Hope Valley.

"I just really don't think it's viable," she said. Ms Miller, who was on a disability pension, said she would be unable to afford a suitable enclosure for her cats.

The changes will be implemented over the next five years.