Section 32 of the New South Wales (NSW) Companion Animal (CA) Act 1998 describes obligations for when a cat may be seized. But much of it is open to interpretation.
Write to NSW Minister Local Government Hon. Ron Hoenig to improve section 32 to ensure any cats seized/ trapped will be safely & humanely cared for by not condoning trapping by ad hoc community members. https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/Member-details.aspx?pk=97
Community cat rescuers/ carers conform to these obligations when assisting abandoned cats. Unfortunately, the cat haters may also use some of the clauses for trapping roaming cats, even neighbours pet cats.
Concerns & Issues
The current legislation appears open to interpretation by community members and different councils. Worst situations are community members against roaming cats who appear to use these clauses to trap cats but often it is not known if they follow the legal obligations to assure a cat’s welfare. What happens to many cats being trapped?
Some councils are requesting through NSW Local Government to change section 32 (raised during the 16 December 2024 hearing for the NSW Inquiry Management of Cat Populations. However, we are unsure of the exact changes they are seeking. It is concerning if these changes are to make trapping easier by “concerned citizens” as there is already a significant risk to the welfare of all roaming cats being harmed or worse.
APWF Related Recommendations
Australian Pet Welfare Foundation (APWF) include recommendations to improve the nuisance cat obligations and processes, instead of mandatory containment.
RSPCA Australia
Councils not supporting community trapping
Examples of cats being trapped will ill intentions
[tbc]
Section 32 all clauses
Reference information
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1998-087
LRC 