The Keeping Cats Safe at Home project is a four-year behavioural change project being run by RSPCA NSW in conjunction with eleven Councils across NSW, including Weddin Shire. It is funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. The project aims to reduce the impact pet cats have on wildlife and improve domestic cats’ health and safety by encouraging responsible cat ownership. Weddin Landcare worked with the local Council Ranger to apply for the program to help instigate cat management programs in the Weddin Shire. The project began with community consultation, which guided project activities for the Shire. Together, Weddin Shire Council, Weddin Landcare and RSPCA NSW then implemented a free desexing and microchipping program; distributed project messages though communication materials and promotions; delivered educational sessions to local primary schools about the benefits of keeping cats at home; and offered an incentive program for backyard Catnets enclosures to assist cat owners to contain their cat to their property. The program has been incredibly successful for our small community (population <4,000) with over 300 cats desexed to date, 30 Catnets enclosures distributed to local residents, over 100 primary school children and a significant drop in the number of complaints about cats and unwanted litters being impounded. This incredibly positive project has resulted in a unique partnership between the organisations involved and improved relationships between the local Council Ranger and local residents. This event will be recorded and the recording will be available the day after the event. Presenter: Melanie Cooper - Landcare Coordinator, Weddin landcare
The Keeping Cats Safe at Home project is a four-year behavioural change project being run by RSPCA NSW in conjunction with eleven Councils across NSW, including Weddin Shire. It is funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. The project aims to reduce the impact pet cats have on wildlife and improve domestic cats’ health and safety by encouraging responsible cat ownership. Weddin Landcare worked with the local Council Ranger to apply for the program to help instigate cat management programs in the Weddin Shire. The project began with community consultation, which guided project activities for the Shire. Together, Weddin Shire Council, Weddin Landcare and RSPCA NSW then implemented a free desexing and microchipping program; distributed project messages though communication materials and promotions; delivered educational sessions to local primary schools about the benefits of keeping cats at home; and offered an incentive program for backyard Catnets enclosures to assist cat owners to contain their cat to their property.
The program has been incredibly successful for our small community (population <4,000) with over 300 cats desexed to date, 30 Catnets enclosures distributed to local residents, over 100 primary school children and a significant drop in the number of complaints about cats and unwanted litters being impounded. This incredibly positive project has resulted in a unique partnership between the organisations involved and improved relationships between the local Council Ranger and local residents.
This event will be recorded and the recording will be available the day after the event.
Presenter: Melanie Cooper - Landcare Coordinator, Weddin landcare
Melanie Cooper a part-time Local Landcare Coordinator for Weddin Landcare, based in Grenfell, Central West NSW. With a B. Applied Science (Earth and Land Science), Melanie has been working in the natural resource management realm with rural communities for over twenty years through a variety of technical and community-based roles in both the public and private sector. She is also a farmer, managing a 4,000Ha mixed-farming property with her husband and is a mum to two little girls.
Melanie has been working with Weddin Landcare for the past 4 years and is passionate about working with rural communities, schools and farmers at a grassroots level to restore ecosystem function and biodiversity and improve the health of our natural assets and agricultural products.
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Australian Institute of Animal Management Limited - ABN 69 666 244 980 - Suite 514, 89 Burwood Road Hawthorn Victoria 3122
