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The power of the rectrospectoscope - cat legislation: what precisely did we learn in SA?

In SA a tattoo M is required in the ear of an animal which has been microchipped - this provision was introduced when microchip scanners were rare and could not read a wide variety f microchip types. It should be noted that the problems and limitations with microchips alluded to by Dr Kelly have been largely overcome with the introduction of an Australian standard and improvements in technology.

Cats on crown land or not within 1 km of a dwelling can be killed. The issue of cat control in suburbia is vexed; impounding of undomesticated cats is inhumane and only a very small percentage of impounded cats, even those apparently owned, are reclaimed.  Cat management programmes are expensive and councils are unwilling to expend funds when there is no revenue base, despite such management being for the good of the whole community.

At the time of writing, Deb Kelly was Manager, Animal Welfare and Manager, Resource Protection, within the South Australian Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs. She is a veterinarian and has been actively involved in pounds, shelters and wildlife since childhood. Deb Kelly was instrumental in the development of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and is still responsible for the legislative aspects of the Act on behalf of state government. She is also Executive Officer of the Dog and Cat Management Board, and works closely with the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League and community groups.