The Shire of Yarra Ranges are reminding residents to keep their cats inside at night.
By Melissa Meehan
YARRA Ranges residents are being reminded to do the right thing and keep their cats inside or in an enclosure overnight.
The shire’s cat curfew requires all cat owners to keep their pet inside or in an escape proof enclosure between the hours of 8pm and 6am, or 9pm and 6am during daylight savings time.
Yarra Ranges Councillor Samantha Dunn said cats that were allowed to wander at night were often responsible for killing wildlife and were at risk of being injured in fights or by traffic.
“The cat curfew was introduced to help protect native wildlife including possums and birds from being attacked or killed by cats,” Cr Dunn said.
“Keeping cats inside or enclosed overnight will also help to protect your pet from being attacked by other cats or dogs or being injured.”
She said as well as protecting native wildlife, the cat curfew also helps to prevent unwanted breeding among non-sterilised cats.
The former Shire of Sherbrooke, now part of the Yarra Ranges was the first municipality in Australia to introduce a cat curfew in 1991.
Since then a number of Victorian and interstate municipalities have introduced similar measures.
For more information about the cat curfew contact Local Laws on 1300 368 333 or visit the shire’s website www.yarraranges.vic.gov .au and search under the Local Laws section.
