By JESSE GRAHAM
ALL quiet on the kitten front.
At least, that’s the word from the Yarra Ranges Council two months after the controversial cat curfew was introduced.
On Thursday 27 November, Yarra Ranges Council’s community compliance manager David Clarkson told the Mail that the number of wayward cats caught and handed into council in October and November had dropped compared to last year.
Mr Clarkson said that 72 cats had been caught in traps in October and November 2013, while 63 had been caught in the same period this year.
Only four cats were picked up wandering in the 2013 time period, while three were picked up this year and the number of cats picked up by rangers dropped from 42 to 40.
“It’s early days, but so far our figures indicate there has been a slight decrease in the number of cats that have been caught,” Mr Clarkson said.
“We believe this may indicate cat owners are taking steps to ensure their cats are kept on their properties and we hope this trend continues.”
The cat curfew was introduced on 1 October, following months of angst and anger from community members who disagreed with the policy.
Under the curfew, cats are not allowed to leave their owner’s property at any time of the day or night – previously, restrictions had only applied at night.
Have you had any problems with the cat curfew? Do you think the curfew is working? Write a letter to the editor at PO Box 470, Healesville, 3777, or email editor@yvnews.com.au.
