A federal war on feral cats is expected to be launched in March, but Swan Hill is leading the way.
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg is tipped to make the announcement next month — a $5 million funding bill is likely to be attached — urging all mayor’s in Australia to provide free cat trapping and euthanisation programs for their communities.
However, Swan Hill Rural City Council’s Public Health and Regulatory Services coordinator Trish Ficarra said residents could already make use of cat traps within the Mallee.
“Council’s cat trapping program is a free service, providing residents with the equipment and knowledge to safely control nuisance and feral cats in their neighbourhood,” she said.
“If a cat is trapped, the resident is required to contact Council and a Regulatory Services Officer will then collect the cat from the property. Council does not encourage residents removing a trapped cat from the cage.
“All cats collected by council are checked for microchips. If a cat is deemed feral and not possible for re-housing, it will be euthanised.”
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (February 24).
