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To the Port of Newcastle, via feedback form, 22 December 2020

I’m writing in relation to the disastrous ‘cull’ of cats (on 17 December 2020) living at the Stockton breakwall.

I note that you now find the ‘outcome of this activity’ to be distressing. It is difficult to imagine what other outcome you expected, since hiring people to shoot cats would have the likely outcome of cats being killed and injured by shooting.

Spread peace this Christmas or give the gift of playtime these holidays!

Make this festive season extra special for our feline friends by donating through our Wishlist Donation Appeal.

You have the chance to win one of 35 prizes purrfect for cheerful kitties and the people who love them!

Single tickets are only $5 OR five tickets for $20 OR a book of fifteen tickets for $50

Help us to care for our cats and kittens while they wait for their forever home and buy your tickets today.

The NSW Court of Appeal has found that the by-law blanket banning pets was “harsh, unconscionable, or oppressive” and under the Strata Schemes Management Act by-laws mustn’t be “harsh, unconscionable, or oppressive” and so they upheld NCAT’s decision that the by-law was invalid.

This is a win for human and animal welfare, as well as common-sense and kindness ❤❤❤

You can find details and read the full decision here

As many of you know,

The Federal Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy established an inquiry into feral and domestic cats late last month, with submissions closing this Thursday 30 July 2020.

Cat Protection’s submission can be read here

We reject the premise of the inquiry: isolating a single species is fundamentally flawed. We suggest that it actively deflects from the complexities of the interdependency of nature and all species.

At a time when millions of hectares of native habitat have been left burnt,

Our Adoption Centre and Cat Boutique have been recognised as COVID-safe businesses by NSW Health. All our adoptions are done by appointment only to minimise the number of people onsite at our Adoption Centre and we have a maximum capacity of six customers in our Cat Boutique, we practice social distancing and adhere to hygiene protocols at both premises.

Our COVID-safety plans are in place to protect the health and safety of all our clients,

For more information on animals and COVID-19

Visit the World Organisation for Animal Health  and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Domestic Animals and COVID-19.

For human health information visit NSW Health.

Australia fortunately hasn’t experienced the rates of coronavirus infection that have been seen in many other countries. Part of the reason for this is that we were so good at quarantining ourselves – working and learning from home – to reduce the capacity of viral transmission.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is undertaking a major review of animal welfare policy and legislation. An issues paper was released in February 2020 and was open for public comment until 21 June. Following review of feedback, DPI will release reform proposals for public consultation.

Cat Protection encouraged our community to participate in the survey on the issues paper, with information in our magazine Cat Affairs and posts on social media.

The NSW Government is introducing annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards.

From 1 July 2020 owners of cats not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an $80 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

This will create a stronger incentive to desex cats,

The Cat Protection Society of NSW Op Shop on Enmore Road will close this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This decision has been heartbreaking. The Op Shop has been central to Cat Protection’s fundraising and community presence for more than four decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic left us no choice.

We need that space for our feline welfare staff and our retail products for cats. Our shelter at 103 Enmore Road is too small to support social distancing for all our operations.