More information
If you have questions about any of the issues discussed on this site, you can call 136 186 for more information (but please ensure you have checked the FAQs first).
Call your local council if you have questions about your rights and responsibilities as a pet owner. Your council will also deal with concerns about stray or nuisance cats.
You can find the contact details for your local council in the phonebook or by clicking here. (Local Government Directory)
Or, if you’re not sure which council area you are in, click here.
Other sources of information about cat welfare and cat ownership include: your local vet or animal shelter, cat clubs/associations, libraries and bookshops, the Internet etc.
A new “Code of Practice for the private keeping of cats” is also available. You can order a free copy by calling 136 186. This Code provides information on cat owners’ legal responsibilities, along with guidance on the following issues:
- Nutrition and water needs
- Health and disease (including indictors of health status)
- Breeding and reproduction,
- Surgical procedures
- Housing (including enclosure standards)
- Transport
- Training socialisation and exercise
- Injury and other potential welfare risks
- Body and condition scoring of pets
- What to do if you can’t keep your pet
- Euthanasia
Cat overpopulation is a serious problem, and for this reason, a number of organisations have joined together to undertake the “Who’s for Cats?” campaign. Participating organisations and their contact details are as follows:
Animal Welfare Science Centre
www.animalwelfare.net.au
Faculty of Land and Food Resources
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia 3010
Ph: 03 8344 8933
Email: awsc-info@unimelb.edu.au
Australian Veterinary Association
www.ava.com.au
Australian Veterinary Association
(Victorian Division)
AVA House, Suite 1219, 401 Docklands Drive
Docklands VIC 3008
Ph: (03) 9600 2930
E-mail: avavic@ava.com.au
Cat Protection Society
www.catprotection.com.au
200 Elder Street
Greensborough, VIC 3088
Ph 9434 7155 or 9434 7255
E-mail: catprotection@bigpond.com.au
Department of Primary Industries (Bureau of Animal Welfare)
www.dpi.vic.gov.au
www.pets.info.vic.gov.au
Bureau of Animal Welfare
475 Mickleham Road
Atwood, VIC, 3049
Ph 9217 4347
Email: animal.welfare@dpi.vic.gov.au
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
www.lortsmith.com
24 Villiers St,
North Melbourne, VIC 3051
Ph 9328 3021
Email: info@lortsmith.com
Lost Dogs’ Home
2 Gracie St
North Melbourne, Vic 3051
Ph 9329 2755
info@dogshome.com
Monash University
www.monash.edu.au
Caulfield campus
900 Dandenong Road
Caulfield East, Victoria 3145
Ph 9903 2000
Municipal Association of Victoria
www.mav.asn.au
Level 12
60 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Ph 9667 5555
Email: inquiries@mav.asn.au
RSPCA
www.rspcavic.org
3 Burwood Highway
Burwood East 3151
Ph 9224 2222
Email: rspca@rspcavic.org.au
Victorian Animal Aid
www.vaat.org.au
35 Killara Road, Coldstream
Ph 9739 0300
Email: enquiries@vaat.org.au