Ensuring shared spaces in Greater Geelong are well used for community health and well-being, remain safe to enjoy, pets are healthy and the region’s unique native habitat is protected are central to a new plan being released for consultation.
The need for pets, owners and the general community to live together harmoniously is growing, with nearly 38,000 registered dogs and cats in the municipality and forecast population growth with increased higher density living.
From Monday 30 August 2021, community members will have the opportunity to contribute to the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-2025, which will guide the City on how to support and manage cats and dogs in the region.
The draft plan has an educational focus, to encourage registration, minimise the risks from uncontrolled dogs and cats and empower community members to take responsibility for their pets’ wellbeing.
The benefits of pet ownership are promoted in the plan and are supported by reduced cost cat desexing, access to off-leash areas for dog walking and free dispute resolution to ensure owning a pet is accessible for all.
A number of actions are proposed for the City, including:
- construct another two dog parks for supervised off-leash socialisation
- increase proactive patrols across trails, reserves, parks and beaches
- investigate and advocate for the purchase of sustainable dog poo bags
- explore the possibility of an extra cat desexing month each year
- develop additional programs to encourage responsible cat ownership and
- explore the feasibility of reduced or free pet registration for the first year of ownership.
The community helped to shape the draft plan’s objectives during a feedback period in March and April this year, with 719 submissions received by the City.
Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan by visiting the Your Say page from Monday 30 August to 26 September 2021.
The current Domestic Animal Management Plan has guided the organisation over the last four years to achieve the construction of new dog parks, the development of the Park Your Pet dog walking app and increased accessibility for pets in open space areas.
Mayor Stephanie Asher
Being a pet owner is a great source of pleasure in life.
There are so many social, mental and physical benefits to owning a pet and as the proud owner of pets myself, I can personally vouch for these advantages.
The draft plan aims to support residents to be responsible pet owners, so that all community members and our furry friends can live together peacefully and have a high quality of life.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek
The proposed actions in the draft plan are set to positively impact the community.
Increasing the number of dog parks and improving access to cat desexing will empower the community to be responsible owners, in turn enhancing the health of their beloved pets.
This plan offers support to dog and cat owners to do the right thing, which will benefit everyone.
