October 31st, 2022A plan to manage animals

A four-year plan for domestic animals was adopted at a Hepburn Shire Council meeting last week.
The Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025 provides a strategic framework for the council to guide policy direction, service programs, initiatives and action plans related to animal management.
Almost 500 residents, both pet owners and non-pet owners, contributed to the plan by completing an online survey or by making a written submission.
Some of the most common concerns were about cat curfews and cat containment
programs, greater action on feral cats and prohibiting dogs on sporting grounds and
an increase in enforcement.
Some of the new actions contained in the plan include developing a cat curfew
program (2022/2023), implementing that policy (July 2023), working towards the
development of a 24-hour cat containment policy (2025) and continuing to work
with community and external organisations on actions relating to reduction of feral
cat population throughout the shire.
An off-lead dog park master plan will be developed next year.