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ANIMAL welfare groups have come out in support of proposed compulsory
desexing laws by the Mornington Peninsula Council.
Margo Maddicks, of the Rosebud branch of the Victorian Cat Authority,
said she would welcome the proposed changes.
``There is a problem with feral cats in the area and some people don't
want to think about it, but it's there,'' she said.
``I very much agree as long as it doesn't affect breeders.''
RSPCA chief executive officer Maria Mercurio also supported the move.
She said desexing ensured cats lived longer and healthier lives and
significantly reduced the risks of some cancers.
Ms Mercurio said ensuring all domestic cats were desexed was the
responsibility of cat owners and must be considered as part of the
overall care of all cats.
Members of recognised animal breeding organisations, such as the
Victorian Cat Fancy and Victorian Canine Association are exempt from the
proposed amendments.
The shire is seeking community views on the proposed amendments after
intensive lobbying from the Cat Crisis Coalition to actively assist with
addressing all the problems associated with uncontrolled feline
breeding.
The Coalition is an umbrella body for most Victorian animal welfare
organisations with an interest or role in cat welfare.
It advised council officers that kittens may conceive at three months of
age and have their first litter at five months.
Council environment protection manager John Rankine said there had long
been a problem with cats and dogs on the peninsula.
``Reducing the number of unwanted litters in our community will result
in a substantial reduction in the huge numbers of healthy but unwanted
pets that animal shelters and welfare bodies are sadly obliged to
put-down each year,'' he said.
The proposed changes will require dogs and cats less than 10 years of
age to be de-sexed before they can be sold or given away.
It is also proposed that anybody owning a cat over three months of age
must have it de-sexed.
Public submissions on the proposed local law changes must be lodged with
the council by August 11.
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