The number of feral and unsafe dogs and cats being euthanised is a particular concern for Whittlesea council, according to its Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025 (DAMP).
Animals may be euthanised if they have an untreatable disease or if they have temperament issues that pose a risk to the community, according to the DAMP.
Council data revealed that there were 67 dogs euthanised in the 2020-21 financial year, out of 759 which had been impounded.
There were 489 cats euthanised over the same period, out of 1698 impounded, according to the data.
The DAMP said that euthanasia rates in the municipality were heavily impacted by the rehoming rates of both dogs and cats.
“The overpopulation of cats and dogs is an issue that presents challenges in the community such as impacts on wildlife, people and other cats and dogs,” the DAMP said.
“Particularly the overpopulation of cats leads to challenges with rates of euthanasia within the stray cat population due to low rehoming rates.
“Rates of dog euthanasia are much lower due to the higher rates of dogs being reunited with their owners or being rehomed compared to cats, however there was a slight decrease of impounded dogs being euthanised in 2020-21 from 2019-20.”
The council adopted the DAMP at last night’s council meeting, which outlined proactive steps to address euthanasia numbers.
Michaela Meade
