Clarifying current cat management laws

Consultation has concluded

We want your feedback on proposed changes to cat management laws in our state.

What's being decided?

We are seeking to update sections of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (Act) to provide clarity to parties responsible for cat management. Managing cats is complex with responsibilities shared between individuals, local, state and federal government, as well as non-government parties.

The amendments are proposed to:

  • update the powers for the management of cats in key areas of the state including areas used for primary production, State National Parks and reserves.
  • provide a clear process for councils when managing seized cats and enabling lost cats to be returned to owners (based on the way in which councils handle seized dogs).

The Explanatory Guide provides further information on current issues and will help you understand the proposed changes.

Background

The Act is South Australia’s legal framework for managing dogs and cats. It outlines the responsibilities of dog and cat owners and includes powers for cat management undertaken by local government and other stakeholders, including National Parks and Landscape Boards.

For local communities and cat owners, amendments are needed so councils are able to return lost cats to owners and implement cat management by-laws.

The Act also has operational issues for officers working to manage cats in areas of the State where feral cats are problematic. Cats kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates each year in Australia.

Your feedback on these proposed changes will be important in shaping an effective and balanced approach.

Get involved

Find out more by:

Have your say by:

Please note: your feedback may be made publicly available unless you indicate on the submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws

What are the next steps?

  • We will consider all feedback to finalise the draft bill for Parliament consideration.
  • We will publish a consultation report capturing all feedback on this page.

We want your feedback on proposed changes to cat management laws in our state.

What's being decided?

We are seeking to update sections of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (Act) to provide clarity to parties responsible for cat management. Managing cats is complex with responsibilities shared between individuals, local, state and federal government, as well as non-government parties.

The amendments are proposed to:

  • update the powers for the management of cats in key areas of the state including areas used for primary production, State National Parks and reserves.
  • provide a clear process for councils when managing seized cats and enabling lost cats to be returned to owners (based on the way in which councils handle seized dogs).

The Explanatory Guide provides further information on current issues and will help you understand the proposed changes.

Background

The Act is South Australia’s legal framework for managing dogs and cats. It outlines the responsibilities of dog and cat owners and includes powers for cat management undertaken by local government and other stakeholders, including National Parks and Landscape Boards.

For local communities and cat owners, amendments are needed so councils are able to return lost cats to owners and implement cat management by-laws.

The Act also has operational issues for officers working to manage cats in areas of the State where feral cats are problematic. Cats kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates each year in Australia.

Your feedback on these proposed changes will be important in shaping an effective and balanced approach.

Get involved

Find out more by:

Have your say by:

Please note: your feedback may be made publicly available unless you indicate on the submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws

What are the next steps?

  • We will consider all feedback to finalise the draft bill for Parliament consideration.
  • We will publish a consultation report capturing all feedback on this page.

  • Questionnaire

    Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the draft amendments to the Dog and Cat Management Act.


    This questionnaire will seek your feedback on key reforms in the bill. We recommend reading the Explanatory Guide and draft bill, before you answer the questions.


    The questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, depending on how much you write in your responses. You are able to skip a question if you do not wish to answer it. 


    All personal data will be kept confidential in line with the South Australian Government's Information Privacy Principles and handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1991 and other applicable legislation. All responses will be considered as part of this consultation. 

    Consultation has concluded