Call to desex pet cats

CASEY cat owners could soon be forced to desex their pets with council considering the implementation of a new regulation.
Licensed breeding establishments in the municipality would be excluded from the proposed bi-law and the plan sparked much debate in the council chamber on Tuesday.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler was behind the push for compulsory desexing and said although cats were a great source of companionship, they also threatened and harmed the natural environment if breeding habits were not controlled.
He said at present, 48,000 cats were dumped annually at Victorian shelters with 75 per cent put down.
Cr Butler said the State Government had said that if 20 municipalities made desexing compulsory, it would introduce legislation to make it mandatory statewide.
The motion, formulated at a recent Conservation Advisory Committee meeting, moved that council receive a report on the formulation of a bi-law to make desexing of all cats, other than recognised breeders, compulsory.
Cr Butler also moved that council undertake a program to inform the community on the existing requirements.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said it would be better to educate people instead of using rules and regulations.
Cr Butler said he assumed that other people wishing to breed would be able to apply for a licence through council.
Councillor Mick Morland also spoke out against the motion and said the move would spark a huge public outcry.
The motion was passed and a report is due back to council by next month.