Key Points
- Rescue groups fear shorter cat holding periods will lead to more euthanisation and increase pressure on the groups.
- Wildlife protectors demand cat containment and desexing to save Australia’s ecosystem.
- Animal welfare groups want nationwide reform and standardised cat management regulations across all councils.
She would take the trapped strays for desexing, believing it was the right path.
Recently, rescue groups have raised concerns about the new Victorian Cat Management Strategy 2025–2035, particularly the consideration to reduce stray hold time in pounds and shelters from eight days to four.

Project Meow Geelong Facebook page
“The four-day holding period [will lead] to rushed decisions and gives shelters an excuse to humanely kill for space,” Lisa Kearns, from cat desexing charity Project Meow, said.
“Timid cats, scared in that environment, can appear wild and be mistaken for strays. I once saw a cat set to be euthanised, only saved when his owner arrived just in time — the animal leapt into his arms like a child,” she claimed.

In Victoria, only about 10 per cent of stray cats are reclaimed by owners, while 50-60 per cent are rehomed, leaving the remainder to be euthanised. Credit: Agnieszka Burton
Kearns said shelters and pounds send rescue groups a “kill list” of dogs and cats in the hopes they can be adopted last-minute.
“The proposed four-day holding period will put even more pressure (on us), forcing us to be there daily. I worry fewer people will take animals to pounds, leading to more strays and growing colonies,” Kearns said.
Shelters welcome reform proposal
“Overcrowded facilities are costly, and starting rehoming earlier could be beneficial.”

Mhairi Roberts says Victoria’s new cat management proposal will shorten procedural wait times. Credit: Agnieszka Burton
Shelters and pounds aren’t regulated on the maximum number of days they can keep cats. They hold them until adoption, transfer to rescue groups, or euthanasia.
Only about 10 per cent are reclaimed by owners, while 50-60 per cent are rehomed, leaving the remainder to be euthanised, according to the state’s cat management strategy.
“The eight-day holding period for identified cats remains unchanged. Unidentified cats will have a shorter holding period to speed up adoption and free up shelter space.”
One of Australia’s deadliest killers

Jack Gough praised the Victorian government’s cat management strategy but emphasised the need for overall change in pet ownership culture. Credit: Invasive Species Council Australia
“Cats arrived in Australia in 1788 on the First Fleet. Within 70 years, they had spread across the land, causing more environmental damage than anywhere else,” Gough said.
While some people are uncomfortable about euthanasia, reducing the number of cats on the streets is crucial for protecting native wildlife, he added.

Credit: Invasive Species Council Australia
He praised the Victorian government’s steps but stressed the need for education, neutering, registration and containment programs to drive cultural change, all of which would take time.
“Currently, 45 of 79 Victorian councils have 24/7 cat containment rules. … Curfews, used by some, (are implemented during times) when wildlife is killed — birds and lizards by day, mammals like possums at night,” Gough said.
Cat management laws across Australia
In WA, the Cat Act is currently under review. According to the government’s Cat Local Law Guidelines, local councils develop policies to address specific needs, balancing local requirements with their available resources.

Credit: Invasive Species Council Australia
The NSW government is also working to change the state’s cat management situation.
According to a spokesperson from South Australia’s Department for Environment, under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, there is no statewide minimum holding period for seized cats.
What cat owners say about curfews and the holding period proposal
“Four days seems a bit short, but responsible owners should retrieve their cats within that time,” Gabriella added.

Cat Protection Society of Victoria staff work with felines held in cat cages for eight days. Credit: Agnieszka Burton
“I understand shelters are overcrowded, so they probably need to manage this somehow.”
Having previously paid a $390 fine for Benji’s unregistered status, she believes the current containment rules are “too harsh” and that building a cat enclosure is too expensive.
“Cats should be held for at least eight days. My cat is microchipped, so I’d expect a call the next day and be prepared to pay a fine.”