The Sherbrooke cat law. Does it work?
Summary
The significant impact of unregulated cats on the environment - caused by predation and nuisance - was raised publicly in 1985 by a number of Sherbrooke conservation interest groups.Sherbrooke Council made the Animal Welfare Local Law No. 4 in May 1991 for a three year term. Council further resolved in September 1994 to re-make the Local Law until 2004.
Despite the current re-make of the Animal Welfare Local Law, due to current council amalgamations due in late 1994, the eventual successor council to Sherbrooke will have to determine the future of the Local Law. Given the reluctance to date of other councils to introduce similar Local Laws, the future of this historical attempt to regulate the effects of cats, on people and the environment, is uncertain.
The Victorian government has introduced the domestic feral and nuisance animal Bill giving the cat the same status as a dog, as well as restricting its movements/freedom.