By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges cat owners are being encouraged to prepare for the introduction of strict new curfew guidelines.
From July 1, all cats across the region must be indoors between sunset and sunrise. Cats will also be prohibited from most of the Macedon Ranges’ most “sensitive” environmental areas.
The council’s assets and operations director, Shane Walden, said with many people staying home adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, now was the time for cat owners to prepare for the new requirements.
“The council recognises building cat enclosures and making behavioural adjustments for cats takes time,” he said.
“We’re asking cat owners to act now, well before the July 1 curfew.
“With many cat owners currently spending more time at home, this is a great opportunity to start thinking about how to confine your cat overnight and minimise stress while it adapts to change.”
The council is encouraging cat owners to consider appropriate overnight housing for their cat or cats, including adapting, designing, building or buying an appropriate cat enclosure.
Cat owners should also seek out information on cat behaviour training and enrichment options.
“The council’s website is a great source of information for hints and tips around confining cats,” Mr Walden said.
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be adding further information including advice from veterinary behavioural specialists.”
Last year, the council approved a report aimed at responsible pet ownership based on the results of extensive community feedback
The report outlined a sunset to sunrise curfew, prohibiting cats from entering designated public places for environmental reasons and introducing complementary cat management strategies including a low cost de-sexing and microchipping scheme to coincide with the new curfew.
There is currently no cat curfew in place across the Macedon Ranges.
The report stated that separate surveys conducted in 2014 and 2017 showed residents supported implementing cat curfews.
Nearly 50 per cent of residents said ‘yes’ to the council introducing a cat curfew.
Under the same report, dogs need to be leashed in public areas except in designated off-leash areas under new restrictions that came into effect on January 1,
Under the report, dogs are prohibited from entering designated places for environmental reasons.
For more information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/cats or phone 5422 0333.
