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New legislation to manage unwanted cats and dogs
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- 'Queensland code of practice for pet shops', released December 2008
Measures introduced
In response to advice from the community and experts on 'Managing unwanted cats and dogs: discussion paper', the Honourable Anna Bligh, MP, Premier announced a funding package of up to $500,000 to support the implementation of a series of measures to reduce the numbers of unwanted dogs and cats in Queensland.
The measures included:
- developing legislation to strengthen the management of unwanted cats and dogs. On 3 December 2008, the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 was passed. This Act is administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning
- undertaking a community education campaign to make people aware of their responsibilities regarding pet ownership and pet desexing. The Cat Smart campaign was released on 1 February 2009
- developing the 'Queensland code of practice for pet shops', released in December 2008, which includes guidelines for animal care and management
- supporting four councils to conduct two-year pilot studies to reduce the numbers of unwanted dogs and cats.
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- A discussion paper aimed at stimulating discussion and feedback on the key issues regarding unwanted cats and dogs
Managing unwanted cats and dogs: discussion paper
In July 2007, the Queensland Government released 'Managing unwanted cats and dogs: discussion paper'. More than 5300 people and organisations responded. Queenslanders offered overwhelming support for improving Queensland's pet ownership system and identifying ways to effectively reduce the euthanasia rates of unwanted dogs and cats.
The Queensland Government also commissioned research by two independent experts:
- Dr Linda Marston of the Animal Welfare Science Centre, Monash University
- Professor Jacquie Rand of the Centre for Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland.
Their reports include reviews of the 5300 public submissions, analysis of relevant scientific literature, interviews with key stakeholders in Queensland and interstate, and detailed reviews of desexing and early-age desexing as tools to reduce unwanted breeding. Due to the high level of interest in this program and the reports' content, these reports to the Queensland Government are available to the public.
Resources and further information
Resources
- Report on the validity and usefulness of early-age desexing in dogs and cats (PDF, 124 kB)
- Review of strategies for effectively managing unwanted dogs and cats in Queensland (PDF, 954 kB)
Warning - This file is large and may take some time to download. Alternatively, contents have been divided up into smaller sections for selective downloading:
Further information
Laurie Dowling
Animal Welfare
Biosecurity Queensland
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
PO Box 46
Brisbane Qld 4000
Email: mailto:laurie.dowling@deedi.qld.gov.au
Tel: 07 3235 4315
Fax: 07 3239 3510
