Fix NSW Cat Laws — Stop Releasing Stray Cats Back to the Street

Petition is addressed to
Minister For Local Government, Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, Jenny Aitchison MP (Member for Maitland), Kate Washington MP (Member for Port Stephens)

632 Signatures

100 %
500 for collection target

632 Signatures

100 %
500 for collection target
  1. Launched December 2025
  2. Time remaining > 4 weeks
  3. Submission
  4. Dialog with recipient
  5. Decision
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Petition addressed to: Minister For Local Government, Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, Jenny Aitchison MP (Member for Maitland), Kate Washington MP (Member for Port Stephens)

We call on the NSW Government to change the law and:

·     Recognise stray cats as distinct from feral or owned cats

·     Allow and support councils to hold, assess, desex, and rehome unowned cats

·     Provide clear guidelines for humane, evidence-based cat management

·     Stop the automatic release of cats back onto the street

Reason

In NSW, councils are interpreting current legislation to mean there is “no such thing as a stray cat.” As a result, unowned and often undesexed cats brought intopounds, vet clinics, or rescue services are being released straight back onto the streets.

This practice increases feral cat populations, contributes to wildlife predation, and leaves vulnerable animals without care or a chance at rehoming. It also confuses the public and forces vets and rescues into impossible ethical positions.

Thank you so much for your support, MyVets Irrawang and Thornton, Raymond Terrace NSW
Question to the initiator

Petition details

Petition started: 12/11/2025
Collection ends: 06/11/2026
Region: Newcastle-Maitland
Topic: Animal rights

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Why people sign

Humane and protection of native fauna.

Cats breed too often and are not good for the environment

Cats can't speak for themselves. Any issue involving stray overpopulation/harming other wildlife is uniquely the result human impact and needs human interaction to humanely target and address such societal issues

Animal safety

I'm a wildlife carer and animal advocate. This practice is harmful to wildlife and harmful to the cat. In addition ALL cats should be kept inside house of a night and not be allowed to free roam. They are a hunting animal by instinct. This too is harmful to both wildlife and cat.

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