CAT REGO RELIEF

Australia’s third largest council has confirmed it will waive cat registration fees for 12 months.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Allan Sutherland, said councillors had voted unanimously to support a 12 month amnesty on charges associated with registering the family cat.

“Moreton Bay Regional Council is so far the only council in South East Queensland to offer its residents free cat registration,” he said.
“We’re leading the way on this to make it easier for cat owners to comply with new state government laws.
“I’m calling on all local councils to adopt Moreton Bay’s fee amnesty.
“Coupled with our subsidised desexing and microchipping program, registration will help reduce the number of neighbourhood strays and ease the pressure on native fauna.”
Mayor Sutherland said from July 1, 2009, cat owners across Queensland would be required to register their pet with their local council.
“The new state government laws mean all cats older than 12 weeks must be registered, as has been the accepted norm with dogs for years,” he said.
“Moreton Bay Regional Council is simplifying the process for owners to meet the state’s new registration requirements.
“There should be no excuses for not acting early and registering the family feline – it’s the responsible thing to do as a pet owner."
Cr Sutherland said it was estimated there were 36,000 cats in the Moreton Bay Region, which covers Greater Brisbane’s northern fringe.