Greater Shepparton City Council has been inundated with stray and unwanted cats with over 210 cats brought into the Shepparton Animal Shelter in the last two months.
Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Environment and Animal Management Greg McKenzie said “more people are spending time at home due to the restrictions and they may notice more stray cats and kittens around. We are asking residents to call the Animal Shelter prior to trapping any cats or kittens to ensure the shelter has space to care for the animals”.
“The Shepparton Animal Shelter is doing its best, but when we are inundated, it becomes tough. The Animal Shelter can book an appointment for you to bring the stray cat or kitten into the shelter to ensure we have space available for the animal. We don’t want to be in a situation where we have to turn away litters of kittens because we are now at capacity and people are not making appointments” said Mr McKenzie.
In Victoria, the law requires that Animal Shelters keep cats and kittens for at least eight days to allow their owners to claim them.
“Housing so many animals at the shelter when more cats are arriving every day is a challenge. The Shelter works with some amazing foster carers who help, but the stray cats keep coming through our doors.”
“Council would also like to take the opportunity to remind residents that if you own a cat, the cat must be de-sexed, micro-chipped, registered with Council and confined to your own property at all times”.
“A number of residents in the community are responsible pet owners and do the right thing by having their animal de-sexed, microchipped and vaccinated, but a number of residents are not doing the right thing and are contributing to the issue of cats needing to find new homes”.
“We are working hard to ensure animals find loving homes with our adoptions, we are also working with rescue groups, but when we are at capacity it just isn’t enough. Residents need to do their bit and desex their cats,” said Mr McKenzie.
All animals at the Animal Shelter are vaccinated, microchipped, desexed and a vet checks the animal, ensuring it is happy and healthy before it is available for adoption.
To book an Animal Shelter Appointment please call 5832 9794
