News

Council adopts new animal management plan

By Ryan Bellingham

Dec 26, 2025

Campaspe Shire Council has adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan. Photo by Bree Harding

Dog attacks, feral cats and nuisance pet behaviours have been addressed in Campaspe Shire Council’s new Domestic Animal Management Plan.

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Adopted at the council’s most recent meeting, the four-year plan outlines strategies to promote responsible pet ownership and improve compliance.

Cr Zoe Cook said the plan also paved the way for the potential to introduce a cat containment law, with community consultation to begin in March next year.

“It is a big issue in terms of the environmental impacts that cats have on our native wildlife, and just the safety of the animals,” she said.

“Basically, (it’s) making sure that our animals are safe and protected, and that our native animals are safe and protected as well.”

If supported, the council would join other local governments across Victoria that have introduced restrictions on the hours cats can be outside.

Some councils require owners to keep cats indoors overnight, while others enforce a 24-hour containment policy.

According to a survey conducted by the council, 59 per cent of 192 respondents said they would support a 24-hour containment rule, while 29 per cent said they may support it.

The plan also aims to increase public education on microchipping, desexing, and registering pets, and promotes responsible domestic animal ownership.

Deputy Mayor Tony Marwood noted it included standards of expected pet behaviour to ensure owners understood their responsibilities.

“It’s very important that we have a set of guidelines that help us manage that,” he said.

Last financial year, the council received 1415 complaints relating to cats and dogs, nearly 300 more than the previous year, including for barking and nuisance dogs, dog attacks and cat traps.

While in favour of the plan, Cr Paul Jarman acknowledged the price of animal registrations was detrimental to the council’s ambitions.

Citing the council’s survey, he said 42 per cent of respondents indicated that costs were a barrier to registering their animals.

“This document talks about responsibility, but there's also a very significant cost to this community, in relation to over a million dollars,” Cr Jarman said.

Last financial year, more than 9300 cats and dogs were registered in the shire, with annual charges ranging between $162 for the full fee and $27 for a pensioner’s reduced fee.

The council is legally required by the Victorian Government to manage domestic animals, and uses registration fees to support the reunification of lost pets.