Unwanted companion animals
The fate of Australia’s unwanted companion animals remains continually in the spotlight.
State and local governments try to balance the positive effects that well cared for pets have on people and communities, with the need to regulate owners and animals that have an adverse impact on their communities.
At the same time, a whole industry exists to deal with the problem of unwanted dogs and cats. Many unwanted animals aren’t able to be rehomed and are put down.
The policy answers to these difficult questions are made even more problematic due to a serious lack of reliable data about exactly how many animals end up in pounds and shelters, how many of these are owned, how many are put down and the reasons why.
The AVA regularly advocates at state and local government level to promote
- Socially responsible pet ownership
- Better research on unwanted companion animals
- Policy solutions based on reliable evidence
- Pet-friendly communities
- The control of feral domestic animals.
Information
What to do about unwanted dogs and cats
The AVA policy framework outlining the arguments and evidence for a five-point approach to addressing the problem of unwanted pets – September 2008
Members who are logged in can also access the explanatory reference document for the policy framework.
Why mandatory desexing isn’t the answer to unwanted companion animals.
This innovative campaign from Victoria has reported results in delivering effective control of cats in the community.