Cat Management Plan 2023 A4 - v3 - SPREADS (002) - Flipbook - Page 20
Considerations for the Management of
Programs to Support Semi-owned and
Unowned Cats
Whilst there is extensive national
and international research about the
effectiveness of different programs for the
management of semi-owned and unowned
cats, consideration also needs to be given to
the legalities, particularly in relation to TNR
programs.
The Companion Animals Act does not provide
any guidance for TNR, however the NSW
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA)
states Animals not to be abandoned – A
person shall not abandon an animal (POCTA
Part 2, Section 11).
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Consideration must be given to the ‘Return’
part of TNR and whether this constitutes
‘abandonment’. If a cat is trapped, desexed
and returned without microchipping
or registration, this may be considered
as ‘abandonment’ and would therefore
be unlawful and unethical. If, as part of
such a program, cats are appropriately
microchipped (and registered) with the
commitment to provide a level of ongoing
care and management by their ‘owner’ this
would not be considered ‘abandonment’.