Tweed Shire Council will partner with RSPCA NSW over the next 4 years to deliver the Keeping Cats Safe at Home project, providing encouragement and opportunities for cat lovers to keep their cats safe at home.
Tweed is one of 11 councils across NSW selected to participate in the initiative as part of a statewide project to better protect native wildlife.
The first part of the project involves a research study about cat ownership. It is seeking input from the community via a short survey to understand the challenges of looking after cats and keeping them safe and healthy.
Council’s Program Leader – Pest Management Wildlife Protection Pamela Gray said she was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this project.
“We feel really privileged to be one of the 11 councils in NSW invited to participate in the Keeping Cats Safe at Home project,” Ms Gray said.
“The project will build on the amazing work already done at Council through the Love Cats Love Wildlife project which ran for 3 years in the Tweed and was funded through the NSW Environmental Trust.
“We would like to thank everyone who participated in Love Cats Love Wildlife project through responding to surveys or sharing their ‘cat tales’. We are hoping this next project will inspire cat owners to keep their cats safe at home.”
RSPCA NSW Project Manager Dr Gemma Ma said the mammoth project was designed to change attitudes and behaviours in the community towards responsible cat ownership.
“We are excited to be working closely with Tweed Shire Council to initiate real change in the way people care for cats as companion animals,” Dr Ma said.
“Our job is to help people help animals, and in doing that we can ensure our beloved pets live longer, happier and healthier lives – and so too will our unique native birds and wildlife.”
The NSW-wide project is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the NSW Environmental Trust.
Community members are encouraged to submit their views about cats and how they are managed by filling out the survey before 31 October 2021. Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/cats
