Don’t let curiosity kill your cat.
That is the message from the City of Greater Geelong, which is supporting the RSPCA Victoria’s Rethink Roaming initiative urging community members in Greater Geelong to contain their cats to their properties.
With more than 10,500 cats registered across Greater Geelong, the Rethink Roaming campaign aims to help owners understand the dangers their pets face and find easy ways to keep them safe and happy at home.
While cats in Greater Geelong are required to be contained to their owners’ properties from dusk until dawn, owners are encouraged to contain cats during daylight hours as well.
Between January 1 and May 7 this year, council received the most complaints about cats being a nuisance/trespassing on property and requests for cat trapping cages from Corio, Grovedale, St Leonards, Norlane and Lara. The Armstrong Creek growth area is also becoming a growing area for concern as the population of cats in this area increases.
Environment & Circular Economy portfolio chair Councillor Elise Wilkinson said helping cats adjust to containment could be challenging.
“The Rethink Roaming website has handy online guides to support this important transition,” she said.
“Despite the short-term challenges, it’s better in the long run as it eases pressure on shelters, increases animal welfare for cats and local wildlife, and ensures a longer lifespan for our feline friends.”
As part of the campaign, RSPCA Victoria has created online guides to help people transition their cats to a safer, more enriching lifestyle at home at a low cost.
The charity will hold a free workshop at Bunnings North Geelong on how to build an outdoor enclosure. Keep an eye out for the date at rethinkroaming.com.au
