Cat owners are aghast at law

George

20/08/2010

The lady across the road denied that her cat left the house and was not killing the birds in our native garden. Well, this 'housebound cat' was killed by a car as it crossed the road last night.

Tasker

20/08/2010

On Easter Sunday we adopted an anorexic stray cat from Heirsson Island.
He never gets out of the house unless he has eaten all his dinner, and I expect him home by 10.00pm sharp.
If he is any later than that - he has to sleep in the other room!

He is particularly quick witted, and has trained most neighbours as to what their rights are.
His earlier history seems to have increased the speed and power of his reflexes.
But on saying that, he maintains an excellent relationship with the doves, magpies willy wagtails and crows. He walks gently between them, often within a metre, without the slightest sense of intimidating them.
Just because a smaller species has been domesticated by people, does not mean they have adopted all of our destructive habits.
Equally, just because other smaller species have not been domesticated by
people - does not mean they are Wild. - you will find them to be generally more social than many in various human societies.

marie

16/08/2010

This is a blog for cat hating, control freaks who have nothing better to do than complain. Just press delete if there is a problem with your neighbours. I have some very good friends who live next door to maniacs. Let's trap them and send them to the pound. Ach tung. Obviously no one here has much love in their heart or has ever had a beloved cat.

Bla

16/08/2010

Remember something called the Black Plague? well eliminate all the cats from outdoors will increase the population on mice and rat which brought the illness in the middle ages where millions suffered before dying in horrendous pain so you might want to think about that before complaining about cats also I bet you are also the people that don't pick up your dog poo... Get a life people seriously...

Binary Options

12/08/2010

This is a very significant blog. Your discussion here is very reflective to the current situation we had in our community. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Keep up the good job in posting very good topics.

gazza

10/08/2010

Note for responsible cat owners...it is the actions...or lack of action/control by IRRESPONSIBLE owners [ I.O's]who are bringing these laws down on your head...
To keep proper ownership, you should control THEM. the I.O's...

Eastside Massive

10/08/2010

Like all pets, cats should be contained in the property they live at. Not everyone wants a cat so why should I have to put up with those domestic rats running riot in my backyard? Community/Govt have strict laws governing our conduct/behaviour to protect all things native, so why are cats allowed to run free. Responsibility falls on the owner and therefore so should the penalties.

fran

07/08/2010

I too have a cat however she is kept inside as she is MINE to look after not the neighbours. My husband and I are fed up with the neighbours cats peeing all over our yard and our cars. Its about time people were made accountable for their animals. I cant wait till the day that our neighbours become true owners of their pets.

Gatto

07/08/2010

I have trapped cats successfully without any harm coming to the animal, and am happy to report that we have successfully control a local semi-wild cat problem caused initially by negligent neighbours. I'm totally fed up with the problems and nuisance of roaming cats, a throughly endorse this stance by councils. If people cannot control their pets in suburbia, then they should own one at all.

merlin

04/08/2010

Much as we like our neighbours - we don't want their cats in our yard. My husband got toxoplasmosis from a friend's cat and nearly died. 15 years later he has an autoimmune problem that has made all his hair fall out. We go outside to enjoy a BBQ on our own outdoor furniture and find that the chairs are constantly covered in cat hair. Why should we not be able to enjoy our own property? Cat owners should be free to enjoy their pets but they should be kept on their own property.

Tanya

03/08/2010

Definitely no traps, this is very cruel!
Take a good example from Bunbury and Harvey who give a 50% discount for everyone who wants to sterilize their cat as well as providing sterilization brochures. By doing this there will be an increase in the amount of sterilized cats for sure. We do not need to kill cats, but rescue them.

Lynne Huntley

02/08/2010

I agree with the desexing of all cats , traps no , they can be cruel even maiming so badly the animal has to be put down .Untrained people should not be allowed to go around willy nilly setting traps for anything. I have had cats all my life , they have been happy inside cats that have been taken for a walk on a leash each day , they can be taught this very easily starting from 6 weeks old. I encourage all cat owner to respect their cats by protecting them from outside predators (humans) . and roaming dogs who do poo on peoples lawns as well as lift their legs at every possible opportunity. leaving a foul odour behind .

Tab

28/07/2010

Cats are not killing machines they don't poo on your washing like a birds do but nobody seems to up in arms over that Get a life. cats have been round for many many years I agree that cats should be kept in at night and perhaps a cat enclosure of a day I have two cats and have never had a problem they stay in and are happy to do so. People have no right to trap somebody's pet and then kill it I think Darren's comment to killing cats is awful shows how small minded some can be. My husband did not like cats when he meet me but now him and my cat are so close that we even got another cat it just a matter of getting to know them I'd prefere animals any day over some heartless human who has nothing better to do than go on about how cats annoy them. Those who trap someones cat how are you going to explaine yourself to a child who's beloved cat you killed for your pleasure. What it really comes down is its the owners fault not the cat's

kathy jackson

28/07/2010

i dont have acat have a dog . my dog does not roam into every ones yard so why should cats be allowed to roam all night and fight outside my windows and wake everyone up. just be bit considerate towards your neighbours.

Katrina

22/07/2010

We are angry that Darrens comment was accepted because he had said he himself trapped and killed stay cats. This Darren doesn't have any right to kill cats himself. He sounds like a cruel man.
This is disgusting because it allows everyone like him to believe they can do the same and no one can monitor how cruelly he kills them. Its because of people like him that cruelty is growing in our society.
And finally karma will come to humans.

Olga

22/07/2010

It is a terrible decision made by City of Swan to allow anyone to trap cats and send them to the pound and making their owners worried sick.
Some of you are constantly saying that cats destroy native wildlife however this is quite funny indeed because is it not humans who have destroyed all forests and jungles all over the world? how many species have already been wiped out because of humans. But you blame little cats.
Humans have destroyed native bird habitats by chopping down trees to build houses. Its the human population which needs to be regulated.
Leave our cats alone!

widdywren

11/07/2010

Australians are responsible for the extinction of more native animals than any other country on this planet. australian species are disappearing virtually on a daily basis. Cats killing machines??????????

jess

10/07/2010

OMG people winge about cats pooing in their back yards and want to put up a law against it,whats next are you going to start trapping birds and rats,no one seems to mind bird poo i get it on my car,i sure as hell dont own a bird but hey its life,like some one mentioned there is bigger issues in the world going on,stop trying to control nature,as much as people go on about wold life its the food chain people and as much as i hate it ive realised you have to come to terms with it,every animal kills something,its called the hunting instinct.lucky were at the top of the food chain so youse all just need to grow up!!

Darren

09/07/2010

The more stray cats killed the better. They are killing machines!
I spend large amounts of time out bush camping and see them frequently. Species of animals and reptiles I used to see regularly as a kid are so thin on the ground because of cats. All of thier owners think thiers would never take off and go wild, but its in thier nature to roam and kill. I'm happy to trap and kill them while camping.
But....If you don't have the ability to contain your cat, do your bit for australia and don't get one !

Hepsi Richards

29/06/2010

While I agree with compulsory sterilisation and microchipping let me share with you how allowing private residents to trap cats can go so very very wrong. We received a council note that 'a cat' was disturbing a neighbour . Enquiries revealed that no description of problem feline could be given !! So as I always did I kept mine inside at night . A month later on 27th January ( approx 38 degrees that day ) I received a call from the ranger that possibly my cat had come to grief in a neighbours cat trap. I went to the office to discover that despite my responsible response to the original complaint my cat had been trapped and WITHOUT WATER had died an agonising death during the heat of the day. If I had been warned of the trap I could have confined them all indoors . The problem was supposed to be a night time one so why was the trap open in the day ? She admitted she had never seen my cat before .

Pussy Galore

18/06/2010

This is all so pathetic! How many native birds or animals still reside in your area since the council has let in property developers to rape the land right back to the sand. Look around you Ellenbrook residents. There are no trees or bush for the poor little wild critters, so where are they now? in your neighbours moggy tummy? I don't think so! you've been conned by your council again.

betty dickson

09/05/2010

hi,i do believe that cats should be reg,i have one and i have abig cage attatch to the wall of my kitchen,with acat hole ,he spends most of his time out there.plenty of sun shine.he is a very happy cat.i believe all cat owners should,do the same.ther would be no more flat cats on the road for astart. come some cat owners get it together

Aster

03/05/2010

We have just had a $1000 security door installed on our front door & for the last 2 weeks a cat has decided it is now his personal urinal. The first thing we smell when we leave the house or get home is the smell of cat pee.
Leaving me to clean up the urine of an animal who is not my responsibility & have been told if it keeps happening it will damage my door.
All pet owners need to keep any pets inside there own property & if they cant then dont have the pet.

di_par

03/05/2010

Are the people who let their cats roam free at night also the ones who let their kids roam free at night?

Like dogs, cats can be trained. Like dog owners, people with cats should not have them if they are not prepared to train and keep control of them.

Let your cat wander your backyard during the day, but make sure you have fences to keep them in (for those that say you can't keep a cat from escaping a back yard - you haven't tried hard enough). Cats found roaming the streets should be picked up by rangers and impounded.

Like kids, cats respond well to decipline and well defined boundaries.

Yes, I have a cat who is trained and knows the bounaries of her back yard and stays within them.

bec

29/04/2010

We have just had a neighbours cat damage the paint on one of our cars. I was just wondering if we have any right to make the owner pay for the damages?

christy

28/04/2010

I have been advised that a cat is a possession just as a horse, cow or dog is and as such you can sue under civil law fees are on this website Magistrates Court: http://www.magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/content/fees.aspx
If your cat is identified and is knowing trapped and killed or disposed off call the police the proceed with civil action.

Kate

22/04/2010

Heh to all the people who have low tolerance to cats and everything else that they are small minded about. There are bigger, more disturbing things going on in the world at the moment. It would be better to use one's energy to try to solve for example, low tolerance of each other. Humans have a duty of care to all the creatures on this planet including the poor old cats. By the way my cats are kept inside to protect them from cruel people. My neighbour's dog craps on my front lawn almost every day. I tolerate it. I clean it up and I keep friendly relations.

rgs

06/04/2010

I am so tired of having to track down owners of cats. We have cats fighting and crying outside our windows 3 out of 7 nights a week, and it also sets our dogs off barking, and then we get complaints about our dogs, but nothing gets done about the cats! I think there needs to be STRICTER rules. There are a lot of responsible cat owners, and for that I am greatful, but the ones that aren't, deal with it. It is a good law!

steve

19/03/2010

Even if a cat is fixed and don't spray, it still craps in other peoples garden. My garden looks like a giant litter tray and I don't have a cat. Yes, cats cover their crap, but when the wind removes the soil it exposes the crap and the smell goes everywhere. I am baiting cats daily because I hate them. It's illegal, but if cat owners do not take responsibility for their pests and keep them on their property, then tuff. Next step will be trapping and drowning cats. I consider this a service to the native animals that these cats kill.

chris

16/03/2010

If two or more dogs were on a cat owners property (front or back) fighting at 3am several times a week and leaving stinking poo and wee in their garden beds, I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to call the ranger.

mpk

05/03/2010

I have two cats and they both stay indoors. They get taken out for a roam about garden but never allowed to "hunt" around the neighbourhood. They both wear collars, tattooed and fixed; they even have large bells to alert the birds in my garden.
I love my cats and they are like my kids. So I would like to keep them safe and not be a nuisance to the community. That is why I do what I do. My cats, my kids, my responsibility.

Kat

18/02/2010

I've never hated cats until now, in the past two weeks we have been woken at 3.30am by neighbouring cats fighting in our enclosed alfresco/garage. I went out to find 3 cats (none of which are mine as I dont own a cat) fighting. Other mornings I have come out to find my car covered in paw prints.
I wish people who owned cats took responsibility for there cats and keep them in at night or dont bother getting one at all.
I have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep them out but if they dont work, im definitely trying the trapping. So anyone in Gosnells who has cats better be keeping them in at night time.

Jo

03/02/2010

I don't believe any animal deserves to be locked up day & night, but I definately believe cats should be kept indoors at night time. Our neighbours dog is continuously barking at night because a cat keeps walking along their fenceline. The owners of the dog has been warned by rangers to stop the barking or get rid of the dog. How is that fair? The dog hasn't roamed into the cat's territory....people of cats need to take more responsibility & keep them in at night as we do with ours & if you don't plan on breeding from them, get them sterilised!! If you can't do these 2 simple things, I'd suggest to re-consider owning a cat.

Sonia Renn

16/01/2010

Smart remark Claire. Cats hate water and I know water spraying is affective. All cats hunt it is their nature. Cat sterilisation is a must law, it will save the senseless euthanasia of thousands of young kittens every year AND sterilised cats don't wander. Sex craving cats wander. Cats don't get much opportunity to hunt in their own back yard, get your cat sterilised. For those people who get neighbours cats in their yard, get a cat from the cat haven (it will already be sterilised), cats are territorial and since it wont be looking for mating it won't wander far as it will want see every cat in the neighbourhood off it's patch. Problem solved.

dee

11/01/2010

My cat problem is quite different. We have new neighbours with six children, one dog and two cats. Before we realised it was our neighbours cat as it was sleeping outside our house, I gave this lovely natured cat food and it has now come to recognise us as it's owners. I phoned city of swan and was told I would need to trap the cat. I feel that I cannot bring myself to do this. Our neighbour knows where her cat is sleeping, my husband carried it across to her last week, she took the cat into her house but it appeared an hour or so later. What to do. I do not want to be responsible for this cat being be put to sleep. Yes, I agree that owners should be more responsible. I cannot allow any cat to enter the house as my son is asthmatic and is alergic to cats. This cat is outside day and night without a collar and I presume it has not been chipped. Why do councils ask that we do the dirty work when they could quite easily force people to keep pets in at night.

Ricky

04/01/2010

hey has anyone throught about cat enclosures
i have resently brought one from kitty kingdom based here right in perth
here try this website and tell me what you think there are some great ideas and are Professional with give you ideas

www.kittykingdom.net

Rae

04/01/2010

I can't believe cat owners are so ignorant about their precious little monsters. We had enjoyed the pleasant company of native birds and reptiles that habitated our property for years.
That is untill 18mths ago, when a lovely couple brought the house next door and intoduced themselves and their darling cat, who to quote the woman (who is a practicing GP) "doesn't kill birds".
But sure enough in no time at all, tuffts of feathers appeared on the lawn, traumatised bluetounge lizard carcasses and native minor & laurekete cacasses appeared in our wood pile. We all have witnessed attacks by this animal on our property. Polite words to our neighbours was met with disbelief that it was their cat.. and an extra bell on her collar.
Now the bluetounge lizards & birds are totally gone from our garden . Our polite attempts to discuss their cat have resulted in nothing but
tears for precious's right to roam. They insist that enclosing a cat is 'cruel'.

hayley

29/12/2009

This really scares me, looking at emigrating to Perth and taking our pet cat. In the UK cats are loved and my cat goes out during the day. He is kept in at night to protect UK wildlife and is neutered so he doesn't spray. But these sort of reports would make me consider not taking my cat in fear of trappers hurting our much loved moggie.

Steve Wainwright

14/12/2009

Bill Your comments are really rediculous of course cats roaming the streets are not the same as SS Storm Troopers invading. Its people like you that think just because it not a major event on the world stage then its unimportant. Well mate you sound like typical cat owner that doesnt give a stuff about your neighbours. When you have to go outside on a daily basis to clean someone else animals spray of your front door which wafts through your whole house and you're woken up night after night by fighting cats and then having to get up and go to work& school the next day and put with the stench in your car on the way to work . Then you tell me thats not important that is typical of a sefish cat owners attitude. I just luv this cat owner attitude its alright for them to get their sleep while their cat causes grief for everyone else. Your right mate its not the SS invading the street but while it deprives my family of sleep & affects their daily life through the lack of sleep.

steve wainwright

14/12/2009

Good on ya Clint ya just give people like me more ammunition regarding irresponsible cat owners Your view of commonsense is that neighbours should just put up with your cat because your cat doesnt like being inside So your cats rights are more important than your neigbours right to not be bothered by your responsibilty that is typical of many cat owners Show some respect to your neighbours mate and build a cat run off your house and then ya cats free to go inside and outside without bothering your neighbours There are plenty of places in the world where cat runs have proven to be a way of given ya cat the best of both worlds. Cat owners dont want to fork out the money. Like Clint they just thing that commonsense is for their nieghbours to put up with your animal Like it or Lump IT Mate the days a lazy owners are comming to an end and they are going to have to take responsibilty for their animals. So mate suck it up and keep your cat controlled thats called responsibility & commons

anno

17/11/2009

I have just read through a long list of comments, both pro and anti-cat. I am anti myself, not because I dont like animals, but because I do - including all the ones regularly knocked off by my neighbour's cats. Is there anyone anywhere who will take on the responsibility of explaining to cat owners who believe that cats should be allowed to "roam free" that there is another option, i.e. keeping them indoors between dusk and dawn for starters, which is when most of the carnage happens. I tried explaining that to my neighbours - they looked at me as if I was stark raving mad. They just might take notice of a self-confessed cat lover.

Debby

17/11/2009

We just moved to a different area in May but when we lived at the other rental, the neighbors cats would go over the fence into our tiny yard. While living there, I would constantly get ringworm till I found out that the reason I was getting it was her cats peeing and pooing into this rectangular styrofoam container that I was planting plants in. The cats also were on our cars and on our air filled swim pool, with the claws.

We eventually had to throw it out.

In the new place, we constantly get cats in the yard and the cats are killing the birds. It seems that they have more right to the places we are renting or own than humans do.

Clint

16/11/2009

THIS IS REDICULOUS....DO WE HAVE TO RESORT TO KEEPING OUR CATS LOCKED UP INSIDE ALL DAY AND NIGHT?? THAT WILL ONLY MEAN NEIGHBOURS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NOISE OF CATS CRYING TO BE LET OUT!! I KNOW MINE HATES BEING STUCK INSIDE ALL DAY....COME ON AUSTRALIA, WE NEED SOME COMMON SENSE. WHATS THE BIG DEAL IF A NEIGHBOURING CAT COMES ONTO YOUR PROPERTY TO SNIFF ABOUT BECAUSE ITS CURIOUS.....WILL YOU BE TRAPPING NATIVE BIRDS, BUGS AND LIZARDS NEXT BECAUSE ITS ''YOUR'' PROPERTY AND 'NO-ONE ELSES'?

jane

10/09/2009

My neighbour loves cats. Loves them so much there is no regard for neighbours. The cats have scratched our cars and regular keep us awake at night. I am having a day off work today due to been kept awake all night by a cat crying in a run. I feel sorry for the cat, and it is affecting our lives. The cats are allowed to wander to our property urinating and damaging our vehicles, i am sick of it!

allyson

08/09/2009

i have 2 siamese orientals. they only go outside when on leads to walk on the front lawn . cats dont need to roam around the neighbourhood ever thought of a cat inclosure... i have one running along the side of my house, but once again i never leave them to alone even when they are out there sunning themselves. desex your cats. and be responsible owners...

Bill

19/08/2009

Thank goodness there were no cats here when Captain Stirling first sailed up the Swan River. Had there been, I'm sure he would have reported back to the Admiralty that WA was totally unsuitable for colonisation due to hostile cats causing 'havoc', 'vandalising property', and 'running amuck'(sic). These are just a few of the ridiculously emotive terms I've seen used here to describe what? An invading army? A riot? terrorists? No............cats in the suburbs of Perth.

Havoc is Attila the Hun raiding your village or Ghengis Khan's Mongol hordes sweeping down upon you or SS storm troopers rolling down your street in tanks. It's not a cat peeing on your door step or having a spat outside your window.

Get a grip people, this obsession with cats is as unhealthy as it is irrational.

dennis newland

17/08/2009

I have a cat which I care for but I also love the wild life around Forrestdale. It doesn't take much to train a cat and cats like a routine. My cat comes in doors every night and also periods during the day. Meal times are fixed and she is fed when she comes in late afternoon. If you can't control the cat then it is potentially wild and should not be outside where it can kill birds and other wild life. It is also quite likely to get itself killed as well. So be responsible with your pet or don't have one. Simple.

Claire

04/08/2009

Ha ha........ Oh my life.......I feel like many of U are on a cat owner war!.. Cats are a very different species to dogs and if their owners were forced to fit them with bird alert collars and bells as well as identification as I do there would be no problem with them leaving the house of their own accord. My cats are spayed and do NOT spray although others in my neighbourhood are not and unfortunately do so I am well aware how annoying that can be. I have no issue with paying for a license for my cats and contributing to the City of Swan revenue however I would only be happy to do this if we could then allow our cats the freedom to the outdoors i.e beyond the fence boundaries. Cats, are NOT dogs....they do not take to being walked on leads and so should not be treated like them. Think smart cat haters instead of getting all vigilante, arm yourself with the water pistol....it is much cheaper than a trap, the cat learns not to come on your property soon enough and U can enjoy! lol

hamish

29/07/2009

cat laws: subjugation of yet another species...

rather than solving the problem.

talk to each other. buy a water pistol. keep the kids inside at night. and reprimand them when they step out of line.

i've no doubt they will recognise their doings when you whallop them one.

cat owner

24/07/2009

I am a cat owner and take full responsibility for my cat, however i dont let him wonder the streets like irresponsible pet owners do with there cats. I completely unders stand that cats need to have fresh air but i dont think its right to give them the freedom to distroy. I currently have a cat that is let loose at night and stays under my house. Its not my cat but it keeps me and my children awake at night with its constant meowing, it sprays on my door and under my house causing it to stick and setting my cat off to spray and meow. I think there should be a curfew or owner should keep an eye on their cat.

Jesse

15/05/2009

I have had constant cat problems for the past 14 years. My front door is ruined because of their spraying. And let me tell you that a steralized cat is no different, I have proof of that and any Vet will tell you if it's a territory war they will spray no matter what. My car window is another target also my front wood windows. I'd love cat owners to pay for the constant damage their cat does to my property. And cat lovers don't even start to give me advise on what products I could possibly use, they don't work. I have dogs they don't stray around the neighbourhood and destroy property. Get a brain cat owners.

steve wainwright

06/05/2009

Gwenda
It would be nice if you checked your facts before you came on to a blog and had a go at people .The City of Swan is making very little money out of the cat laws as cat owners only have to licence a cat if they own more than six. Unlike dog owners who have had to pay for their animal since Adam was a boy. You come over as a typical whinging cat owner who doesn't like the idea of finally having to take responsibility for your animal. Welcome to the real world. Quite frankly if it was up to me you would have to have all cats licenced, you would only be alowed to own two in a residential home and you would have a cat run to keep you pet in your property. And believe me I had a lot to do with the push to get cat laws I was the petitioner that got the ball rolling and I haven't finished yet, I wont be happy until you cat owners have to take complete resonsibility for your animails!!! My next step is lobbying State government to legislate for cats to be added to the dog legislation.

Jacqui

04/05/2009

Gwenda, cats urinating/defecating on other peoples' property IS a big deal. Just recently a neighbourhood cat has started spraying around the outside of my home, the odour is so pungent it gets inside the house, regardless of the doors and windows always being closed, and I have started having migraines as a result of the pheromone in the urine. As someone else mentioned, cat faeces contain a parasite called toxoplasmosis, which can cause birth defects or even spontaneous abortion, if a pregnant woman is unfortubate enough to come across cat poo while in her garden. I have 2 cats, both of which only have supervised outdoors time, so I know they are safe and are also not causing any nuisance to my neighbours. It is not a case of inability to control pets, it is a matter of laziness.

Helen

02/05/2009

I live in Cornwall.

A neighbouring feline has eaten a couple of fish from our pond. We suspect one in particular, but cannot be sure because there are so many.

Cats also defecate in our garden. We have a dog, but know that she has had her worming treatments and she never strays into their gardens (we've raised the height of the wall so it is impossible for her to escape from our side).

I wish that we had such laws over here.

steve wainwright

02/05/2009

to cat owner your comment trap my cat I trap you .

Easy answer mate !! keep your cat restricted to your property and have some respect for your neighbours and you will never have to worry about your cat being trapped.

steve wainwright

02/05/2009

Frenchy
In response to to your uninformed response to my blog saying that if I had a problem with cats I could make a phone call to someone to deal with the problem. Before these laws were introduced by the City there was no legal avenue to deal with a problem cat. If you rung the shire they would tell you there was nothing they could do, the RSPCA would do nothing and the cat haven would do nothing. So before you make comment maybe you should check you facts. Before these laws were introduced people dealing with irresponsible cat owners pets had absolutely no legal avenue to deal with the issue. Oh and the police certainly wouldn't have dealt with it so in answer to your question the laws you discribe in the USA are exactly what these laws in the city of swan are designed to do . Before these laws there was nowhere to go for help to deal with wandering cats. So perhaps now you have a greater grasp on what the laws are about!!!

Sanity

19/04/2009

All the complaints so far seem to relate to unsterilised cats - spraying, defecating, fighting, mating etc. I have owned 9 cats in the last 35yrs, all sterilised. None of them showed much desire to widen their territory beyond our own fenceline.
An UNsterilised cat is quite a different prospect, and will go to any lengths to fulfil its biological imperative. That means marking territory with urine and faeces, roaming far and wide in search of a mate, and brawling with its opposition - usually in the middle of the night.
Seems to me Cat Registration is the way to go, with unsterilised cats being priced out of the market. Unfortunately that won't make the current population of cat nuisances go away overnight. So maybe trapping has some merit, but for heavens sake don't give the trappers carte blanche with the cat after it's caught.

Exab00

18/04/2009

i live in Wyndhamvale in Victoria and i must congratulate the swan council for doing such a good thing, i hope our council in time, passes the same laws!

like the majority of people who have posted here, i think people should be responsible for their own pets. the excuses that have been used like "I can't control my cat" is a load of crap, fact is they don't want to be responsible for their pet!

i have cats that come in my yard and it really angers me!

unhappy

16/04/2009

Unfortunately I regularly find cat droppings in my front and back yard. It stinks to high heaven, and there is no need for it to be there. It's not okay, and easy to fix. Living together in suburbia does take a bit of cooperation from each other - but it's really hard to tell a cat to stay away when I don't speak cat, it doesn't speak English, it visits my yard at night time when I am asleep, runs away when I see it, wears no collar and doesn't leave me a letter telling me who the owner is. If it's not your property and the cat is not invited, then it shouldn't be there. My own cat is happy inside the house or in our large cat run outside, and we get on well with our neighbours. Now that's cooperation!!

Ellenbrooker

15/04/2009

Why should cat owner NOT be responsible? And it is not a case of 'they cannot control their pet' but they REFUSE to take the RESPONSIBILLITY.
I know many cat owners who have inside cats and keep them confined to their property with modular or net cat enclosures or something they have made themselves. There is nothing cruel about this. Why should I have the neighbours cats defecating in my front yard (and spreading toxoplasmosis - lucky I am not pregnant as I am an avid gardener). And why is it ok for those 'irresponsible' cat owners to allow their cat/s to vomit in front of my door? That aside, the number one reason cats present at the vet is because of cat fights or car accidents - which some cat owners think is the drivers fault!
If you are a truly loving resposible cat owner, you would keep your cat on your own property for its own welfare, the native flora welfare, and basic respect for your neighbours! There is NO EXCUSE! If u care about your cat, you wouldn't let it roam around!

Frenchy

15/04/2009

Of course, I was kidding about trapping kids, it was just an image. As human beings, we have laws and people to protect us such as lawyers or policemen but animals have nothing to protect them. For my part, I had 14 cats so far and none of them ever went outside my property. They all had been castrated and it cost a lot of money so you cannot say I did not spend money on it.

Steve wainwright, when you said that if your kids were causing me grief I could just call the police and let them deal with it, You could do the same thing for the cats. I do not know if you have that in Australia ? In USA, they catch cats that are wandering around and either put them in a shelter or contact the owner if it has one. This would be a good way to solve your problems.

I also wanted to agree with what Gwenda said, we should not fix all our problems on cats.

Gwenda

14/04/2009

My my what small minded people we have. Is the cat the only thing you have to whinge about occupy your tiny mind. How sad. i would have thought councils had better things to regulate to tend to in their communitites. Obviuosly not enough or then again there is massive amounts to be made in these cat registrations. As for the poor little birdies, gee I dont hear any one shreeking in front of the bulldozers when you want a house built!! Get over the birdy thing cats are not the main predator , its mankind.

Commonsence

14/04/2009

Now that the City of Swan and Joondalup City have made it "Open season" on cats. I hope these councillors rest easily when reports of cruelty strart to be reported...
I suggest we VOTE these blinkered councillors out of office on the next election. We dont need people making up rules and regulations on what is their personal opinion.
Have they forgotton that cats killl vermin, rats and mice. maybe when the rats and mice start to invade their cosy suberbs they will think again.
Has anyone questioned these councillors on how much all this is going to cost us. Not only for the cat owners, haters but the people who dont own a pet..

beata

13/04/2009

i have random disgusting children coming into my garden, littering the park at all hours of the night, where are the responsible owners of these kids. I would much rathers have the neigbours cats lounging on my porch or sleeping on my car. Take resposibility for your children, stop them tagging, stop them throwing rocks at cars, then worry about cats.

Don

11/04/2009

So the City of Swan believes it is ok to issue traps on a whim. Fair enough. If I find kids graffitying my property (which is a major issue in Ellenbrook) is should be ok for me to apprehend them, throw them in a heshion bag, douse it with petrol and set it on fire.

Same, same in my opinion. How'd ya like it if I throw baited meat over your fence because your barking dog is annoying me?

Good idea I think :)

Cat Owner

10/04/2009

Trap my cat. I trap you :-)

steve wainwright

10/04/2009

TO Frenchy before you go making ridiculous comments regarding the law have a look at what they do.Legally you cant go drown the cats and by the way if my kids were on your lawn and causing you grief you could ring the police and have then dealt with through the legal system. All this CAT law does is give me and other people who have nothing but grief with our neighbours cats a legal way of dealing with the problem. Or are you another one of those cat owners that think that it is alright for your animal to create havoc for your neighbours and the wildlife in the area. It real is a no brainer if cat owners were responsible they would control their animal . Unfortunatley to many cat owners arn't reasponsible and that is why laws have had to be introduced. Its simple really enforce cat runs for cat owners and the problem of cats wandering would be gone!!! But all you moaning cat owners don't want that expense you would rather your neighbours have to spend the money to control your cats

John de Grieve

10/04/2009

I am TOTALLY supportive of the cat legislation & cannot understand why a cat owner cannot be responsible for their pet. I had a siamese cat for 9 years & it stayed in our house & backyard all its life until one day it got out & was knocked by a speeding car. Currently we are annoyed by visiting cats urinating on our doors & regularly fighting. Coming home from work after a stressful day it was a great relief to be greeted by the cat who would happily sit on my lap while we both watched TV.

sed

10/04/2009

Frenchy, is your kid crapping in my garden, spraying on my car and killing all the native animals nearby? We aren't cruel and talking about drowning the cats, we are asking for owners to be responsible, like they would be for a dog, and keep ALL their animals contained in the house or in enclosed areas at all times.

Marie

10/04/2009

I love cats, but cat owners should be made responsible for keeping pets from roaming. They are natural hunters and will destory wild life.

Cat runs are a good way of keeping your cat when out doors. They can be made so that, it will give your cat hours of fun and stop it from going into unwanted territories where they can be harmed. I see too many cats run over on the edge of roads, people that let their cats roam can not love them enough to allow them to come to any harm.

sally mays

10/04/2009

As a former cat breeder and owner of a cat who permanently lives indoors, I say that cat owners have an absolute responsibility to their pets to protect them and the environment. Do the right thing and keep your cats confined to your property and the law will simply have no effect on you whatsoever. Notification of these laws is not necessary to the responsible cat owner and we don't want irresponsible cat owers in our society. I do, however, think that anyone mistreating an animal should feel the full weight of the law - which should be changed to impose much harsher penalties than currently exist.

Frenchy

09/04/2009

OUAAAA. I can't believe this law. This is incredible. You guys are out of your mind. How would you feel if I trapped your kid in my lawn and drown him in the lake ?

sed

09/04/2009

To rosemary donald,
Your comment reads as though your cats still roam about as they please during the day and kill whatever they like. Or did you meant that they go outside during the day into a cat run? I think that bells on a collar generally do squat. Cats still get to slaughter lizards and other animals.
Today in perthnow.com they have said that the chuditch has been seen in WA for the first time in 20 years. I daresay if all cat owners kept their cats contained, we would see more endangered animals like this returning.

Cat

09/04/2009

My cat Mocca is 8yrs old, , she's micro chipped, de-sexed and she is a family member. She definatally is an inside cat, I go outside with her everyday. Once I found her in the neighbours yard, at night, hiding , why? because we have a few out-at-night cats in the street and their bullies. Perhaps traps in parks, (or council lands) would be good, get the foxes too then, oh that's only if your serious about protecting bird, and other small life creatures.

paul

09/04/2009

Great work City of Swan. I hope all councils adopt these laws. Ive had neighbours cats inside my house, under my house, inside my shed and i absolutely hate cats and have made a conscious decision not to ever own one. I would rather hear the birds singing. I agree with the humane eunthasia of stray cats. Pet shops now have to be held accountable for their part in this whole problem.

Bill Ragan

09/04/2009

If people feel they can't control their animals then they shouldn't have them. But that is delusional - cats can easily be controlled by building a cat run connected to the house so the cat has access to both areas, and not to neighbours properties where they are a threat to the fauna that may be appreciated by the neighbour. After all how would cat owners feel if their neighbours let predators run free that killed their cats.

Rosemary Donald

08/04/2009

I am Rosemary Donald & as biased as the article seems to be above it hardly conveys what actually went on here. If you would like to find out more about the local cat laws that have been introduced by the Shire of Swan & the lack of consultation with shire residents in implementing these laws visit www.aussiecats.com for a more realistic viewpoint. What has been written above has only been worded to incite a reaction from readers that cat owners are whining about the new laws.

Hardly, I am a responsible cat owner both of my cats are desexed and are kept indoors during the evening till morning as required under these new laws. The complaint to the Shire is on the lack of due process for cat owners to dispute complaints made against their cats by Shire Advocates & cat owners have no way to protect their cats under these laws. The mayor of the Shire of Swan told the West Australian Newspaper on the 7th April, 2009 that people could not take the law into their own hands

Marlene

08/04/2009

If you can't control your pets, children etc, you should'nt have them and if a law is required to ensure this happens good thing too. For too long, the wildlife in this country has been descimated by cats, allowed to roam at will by their owners. Well done, I have to license and control my dog and if I had a cat, I would be exactly the same, no problem for me its called TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.

shae

08/04/2009

Thank you city of swan for having the initiative to bring in this law. I love animals and wish no harm upon anyof them. I choose not to own cats or dogs because i want to encourage local native birds, lizards and marsupials into my property however unfortunately i cant stop other peoples cats from comming into my property and killing them which happens all too often, i have 3 properties that adjoin mine and all of them have cats that come into my property and cause annoyance and damage, if owners of cats love their pets they can keep them in cat runs set up with toys and activities but the native animals on my property cant get that same protection, i will use these laws to their full extent.

steve wainwright

08/04/2009

To Ms Donald; your cats; your responsibility your expense to keep them in your yard!! Your lucky I'm not the one making the decissions as far as I'm concerned If you want to own a pet no matter what it is then keep it in your property and if you can't do that buy a cat run and if you don't want to go to that expense to keep your animal in your own yard then don't own it.

How arrogant is it when pet owners expect non owners to go to the expense of keeping cats out of their yard rather than the expense being left where it should be and that is with the owner!!!

Steve

08/04/2009

I'm not too familiar with the laws regarding animals on private property. I am under the impression that any animal on your property can be trapped and dealt with by the owner of the property. Before the cat laws, cats could be trapped and euthanised if owners could not be identified. The issue is that private property is just that: it's not for anyone else to determine if their animals can go on your property. The roaming nature of any animal is no excuse for it to be on someone else's property. Also, I think the cat laws go both ways and provide some extra protection to cat owners where cats can be put in the pound so owners have an opportunity take responsibility for them.

enduro

08/04/2009

I had to read the first paragraph three times :) !!

As more Councils adopt more realistic cat laws I think we will see the reality of just how many whining cat owners can't keep their pets on their property.

Good on you City of Swan, which Council will have the guts to adopt these laws next?

Lynn Galipo

07/04/2009

Hello Ynel, yes i too have two indoor cats that i dearly love, both are desexed have never been out side and love being indoors, they are safe and healthy, but i have other peoples cats in my back yard at night sometimes fighting and they spray over everything including my front door. I would love the firms phone number and address that built your run for you, i would love to get one done for my cats.

Yours Lynn.

Grant

07/04/2009

Our car is scratched all over because some cat lovers in our street let them roam like vagrants. No cat owner will pay for the damage on my car, yet if our dog damages property, we are expected to pay for the damage. If our dog is outside our yard it is our obligation to put the dog on a leash. If our dog craps outside our yard we are expected by law to pick up and dispose of the droppings properly. We register the dog with the local council by law and we pay for that registration.
What makes these cat owners think they are so special that they can let their cats roam on other peoples properties without consiquences.
Get real cat people !!! I say register all cats and fine the owners when the cats are roaming without some sort of control.

marie

07/04/2009

If you love your pets you will make sure you keep them in. I am a volunteer for an animal charity and we hear the very sad and terrible stories of what happens to cats because their owners can't be bothered to take care of them. there is more to caring for your cat than just giving him a comfortable bed and food, you must keep them in and protect them from other people who get sick of the cats getting in their yard and fouling it or killing the birds, people get angry with the cats when they should be angry with the cat owner, the cat just does what comes naturaly but the people do know better about these things and if the cat is hurt or disappears never to be seen again, owners must blame themselves. not the rotten so and so who has done the cat in or dumped it. that is horrific but you cannot blame them alone, you have to blame the owners as well. I care about animals very much it is my work to protect them but I can see a lot of owners who only love the cats while they are cuddly

mineisaford

07/04/2009

I HAVE TWO DOGS AND THREE CATS THEY ARE ALL DESEXED ,THE ANIMALS ALL LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER. YES I PAID FOR THEM ALL MYSELF TO GET DESEXED WHICH IS EXPENSIVE BUT I DON'T WANT MY ANIMALS FIGHTING OR HAVING BABIES.THE CATS ARE NEVER OUT AT NIGHT ONLY GO OUT DURING THE DAY SOMETIMES AND THEN THEY ARE ONLY SLEEPING ON MY PORCH.I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH MY NEIGHBOURS.AS MY CATS DON'T GO INTO OTHER PEOPLES YARDS.BUT I HAVE OTHER PEOPLES CATS COMING INTO MY YARD FIGHTING AND WEEING ON MY FRONT DOOR AND CAR AND WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE MY GOD IT SINKS.KEEP CATS INDOORS START FROM A KITTEN AND THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO LIVE INSIDE.

Ynel

07/04/2009

To George. YES you can keep cats inside and keep them happy. My two seven year old cats have never been outside. They are to be happy indoors, from kittenhood also no damage to furniture, curtain etc. Start young. I am an old age pensioner, have been for many years, but I saved my pennies and had an outside run built, with access via the dining room window. If you like I can supply the name of the firm who builds these runs, or you can visit the pet store they may have a leaflet with details. My cats sleep on my bed at night and sun themselves in their secure run by day. I had a workman at the house the other day and he left an outside door open, my poor male cat wen crazy, meowing, getting my attention, then running to the door. He was not happy until I closed the door. Americans have been keeping their cats inside for many many years, even in high rise flats. My cats are very healthy and happy, ask my vet if you do not believe me. They have their yearly jabs, etc. no problems.

sed

07/04/2009

I am what i call a pretty responsible cat owner. My cat is microchipped, sterilised, vaccinated and has a collar. There are now collars available specifically for cats with the wire that you run around your property and the collar gives the cat a low voltage shock for leaving your perimeter. These have existed for dogs for years and are not cruel at all. No one would be too happy if my Bull Mastiff crapped in their garden, so why whould it be ok if my cat did? If another cat crapped in my garden when i was pregnant and I got toxoplasmosis, I would sue the ass off the owner.

Dragon

07/04/2009

Hi Sunny,
Working through your comments, there wouldn't be grumpy people if the owners took the initiative & managed their pets properly, neither would there be devistated families.
Also, why should I as a rate payer have the city heavily susidise a pet owner to sterilise their animal? if they want the animal they pay for its upkeep including its sterilisation. Am I going to get a subisidy to replace the mufler on my car if breaks & gets too noisy to comply with noise laws.......somehow I doubt it.
Sorry, another bleading heart shirking responsibility. I'm all for animal welfare, but I'm also for social & personal responsibility, you want a cat you pay for it, you keep it properly & don't have it wander the neigborhood deficating on someone elses property & spreading disease.
We wouldn't be having to try to repopulate native species were it not for cats & foxes, we shoot foxes, but because cats are domestic we trap them.

Tina Andrews

07/04/2009

I am sick and tired of cats, because they come into our back garden at night and scream and fight next to our bedroom window, people should really lock them inside at night time.

elnjay

07/04/2009

I can only live in hope that the Cockburn council will adopt this law for us as well.
I have a dog which I have to pay a licence for, keep her within my own yard especially at night, ensure she does not disturb the neighbours by making too much noise, spend the time taking her for a walk etc etc etc. Most of my neighbours have cats all of whom constantly use my yard as a toilet, are always wandering up and down the street, at night are out doing whatever it is cats do (chasing birds, yowling at all hours, fighting, making babies).
The sooner all councils start making cat owners be as responsible they demand dog owners be the better.

Murray Day

07/04/2009

Before you complain about cats being out of control go to our natural bush lands and see how many stray cats are out there killing our native animals. Not only should they be controlled but sterilized also would be a good policy. Keep up the good work Swan Shire.

Northerner

07/04/2009

I agree with the cat laws.
The argument that one can't control the pet doesn't sit well with me - maybe you shouldn't own one if you can't control it. & there are ways to make sure that your cat stays on your property & doesn't have a negative effect on somebody else's life. One is training the cat from the start to be a house cat, another to get a cat enclosure built. The question is only if you give a damn.
I've had my garden vandalised on regular basis by our neighbour's cat for 2 years now. I just talked again to them again listing all the troubles their cat is causing & they finally decided to fence off their property to keep the cat in. Apparently they really didn't realise the impact of the animal on its surroundings.
I do think however that one should be required to inform cat owners of planned traps. I might not love my neigbour's pet but they certainly do & worry about it.

george

07/04/2009

Have you ever tried keeping a cat indoors when it wants out? It will shred your curtains / lounge; they cannot be trained in the same manner as a dog.
I think a little common sense and communication on both sides is called for.

Kylie

07/04/2009

If my dog wanders onto someone elses property I can get fined and they can call the pound to take it away - and my dog isn't about to eat the local birds while wandering, so why should cat owners be any different. Keep them in your backyard, go and get a special fence if you love them so much....

marisa

07/04/2009

It you don't want to control your cat then you don't deserve to have one. Keep up the good work City of Swan.

Heath

07/04/2009

I have owned cats all my life but in the last few years decided it wasn't worth the anguish to find my sweet little cat terrorising our native birds.
I tried everything & off course he was kept inside every night.
Cats are hunters by nature and know no boundaries. If you realy are serious about owning a cat, build yourself a cat run in the back yard

Phil

07/04/2009

I have a little girl who has access to most of our backyard but not all....why? Because cats come in and crap there. How would cat owners like it if i jumped the fence and did a huge steamer in their backyard? If they can't control where their cats deficate, then they need to be restrained. I'm wrapped that people are starting to trap stray cats. Maybe it will start cat owners taking a bit of responsibility as to where their cats are.

Sunny

07/04/2009

I just get all warm and fuzzy reading your comments!
Seriously, statements like the ones you have made are just inflammatory. I do Foster care for the RSPCA and I will be the first to agree that there needs to be tighter control on pets that are not cared for or watched properly. I see the aftermath when it doesn't happen.
The problem with these rule are that they ARE open to abuse by grumpy people who dont mind devastating a family or neighbor by secretly trapping rather then doing the right thing and trying to resolve an issue. Why not start by making it law that cats are locked up during the night and having a blitz on sterilization? If the shire heavily subsidized ( or made it free ,we could only dream :)) this procedure instead of paying for cat trapping cages everyone all around would be much happier.

Dragon

07/04/2009

I'm with the City, and mrfb I couldn't have put it better myself. I also live in Ellenbrook & regularly find feathers in my back garden, I have no pets & love it that native birds visit my garden.
I am sick to death of pet owners deneying responsibility for their animals. Whether it's Dogs barking at all hours of the day & night or cats wandering around the neighbourhood like they own it. I'd suggest that Ms Donald build herself a cat run if she wants to allow her animals some fresh air, put then on a leash & take them for daily exercise & otherwise keep them in doors & stop inflicting them on her neighbours.
If she doesn't have the time or energy to look after the animals properly or the social responsibility not to allow them to wander, then she clearly shouldn't have them.
It's not up to the community to put up with her or any other straying cats.

End of story

mrfb

07/04/2009

The first paragraph says it all, "CAT owners have told the City of Swan that they cannot control their pets, and they should not be held responsible for keeping felines off private property."

People are held responsible for their dogs, children, driving etc. What makes cats so special that owners should not be held responsible for them?

I am sick and tired of hearing cat owners bleating about their 'rights' while their darling little moggies are out running amuck slaughtering native animals.