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)

585 Signatures

100 %
500 for collection target

585 Signatures

100 %
500 for collection target
  1. Launched December 2025
  2. Time remaining > 2 months
  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
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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

All animals should be loved ❤️

Responsible pet owner, care for local native animals and own pet

I don’t think any feline should be outside.

Native wildlife should be protected from stray cats and their populations should be actively reduced not added to by rereleasing captured animals. The cats also deserve humane treatment and to be rehomed if possible

Feral/ stray cats are destroying the local ecosystems by killing off native wildlife. Releasing them back into the wild is irresponsible and ludicrous.

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