Navigation path
Queensland Government implements new legislation to assist in managing unwanted cats and dogs
-
Queensland Code of Practice for Pet Shops, released December 2008
Measures introduced
In response to advice from the community and experts on the '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 include:
- developing legislation to strengthen the management of unwanted cats and dogs. On 3 December 2008 the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (AMCDA) was passed. The AMCDA is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation (DLGSR).
- undertaking a community education campaign to make people aware of their responsibilities with regard to pet ownership and the desexing of pets. 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 the care and management of animals.
- supporting four councils to conduct two-year pilot studies to reduce the numbers of unwanted dogs and cats.
-
- The discussion paper was 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 the 'Managing unwanted cats and dogs discussion paper'. Over 5300 people and organisations responded. There was overwhelming support from Queenslanders to improve the system of pet ownership in Queensland and identify ways to effectively reduce 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, 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 content of the reports, these reports to the Queensland Government are available to the public.
Resources and further information
Resources
- Queensland code of practice for pet shops
- 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
Lawrence Gavey
Animal Welfare
Biosecurity Queensland
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
PO Box 102
Toowoomba Qld 4350
lawrence.gavey@dpi.qld.gov.au
Tel: (07) 4688 1303
Fax: (07) 4688 1470
