Position Statement
AND Policies
Our policies define the ethical and practical frameworks that guide our cat welfare advocacy and support.
Our mission is to support lasting, system-wide improvement in cat welfare across NSW through collaboration, practical resources and evidence-based decision-making. We focus on approaches that are humane, sustainable and grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work.
Key Position Statements
Trap Neuter Return (TNR)
Trap Neuter Return can reduce breeding and stabilise some unowned cat populations; however, it does not address the underlying drivers that lead to cats entering these environments, including abandonment, lack of early desexing, and limited access to timely support for carers and rescuers. Preventing cats from reaching this point must remain the priority.
Long-term improvement in welfare outcomes requires earlier intervention, accessible desexing, effective identification, genuine foster and rehabilitation pathways, and the consistent enforcement of existing desexing and abandonment legislation.
These measures reduce future suffering while also creating alternatives for cats who would otherwise face ongoing risk.
Releasing cats into environments that are unsafe or unable to meet their needs should not be considered a primary solution. Reliance on community members and volunteers to absorb these pressures without structural support shifts responsibility away from the systems that create the problem and does not deliver sustainable welfare outcomes.
A workable NSW framework must be built around prevention, coordinated support, and clear government responsibility, with TNR used only where it forms part of a broader, humane and well-resourced strategy. Approaches must be designed for local conditions rather than relying on models that do not reflect the legislative, environmental and social context in Australia.
Compulsory Desexing
We support a consistent legislative framework across New South Wales that enables desexing to become the standard, helping to prevent unplanned litters and improve long-term health and welfare outcomes for cats.
Desexing is a fundamental component of long-term cat population management and improved health and welfare outcomes. Early and accessible desexing reduces unplanned litters, decreases shelter intake and eases pressure on carers, rescuers and the wider community.
A coordinated approach that includes affordable services, community education and timely intervention is essential to achieving sustainable change. Desexing strategies must be practical, humane and inclusive, supporting both owned and unowned cats while removing barriers that prevent people from accessing veterinary care.
Containment Policies
Safe containment supports the welfare of cats while also protecting wildlife, reducing the risk of injury, disease, loss and nuisance complaints, and improving coexistence within the community.
Effective containment is achieved through education, practical support and the promotion of enriching indoor and enclosed outdoor environments that allow cats to express natural behaviours without roaming. A balanced, community-focused approach encourages responsible ownership while recognising the need for realistic and compassionate pathways to compliance.
We support a managed and staged approach to containment, introduced alongside the infrastructure, education and support systems needed to make compliance practical, equitable and effective for the community.
Microchipping
Microchipping is essential for reuniting lost cats with their carers, improving traceability and supporting responsible ownership. Accurate and up-to-date registration significantly reduces the time cats spend in pounds and shelters and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes.
Accessible microchipping programs, community awareness and support for carers to maintain current contact details are key to creating a reliable identification system that benefits cats, rescuers and local councils.
OrganiSational Policies & Position Statements
Our work is anchored in evidence-based decisions and a structured approach to feline advocacy. These policies serve as the ethical framework for our collaboration with rescuers, owners, and government stakeholders throughout NSW.
Ethical Rescue & Rehoming Standards
We prioritise the behavioral and physical suitability of rehoming protocols. Our standards ensure that every cat, from domestic surrenders to colony residents, receives an assessment matching their unique social needs and environmental requirements.
Responsible Containment Advocacy
Advocating for 'safe at home' strategies that protect cats from traffic, disease, and toxins while ensuring the protection of NSW's native wildlife through compassionate management.
Community Cat Colony Management
Supporting non-lethal, evidence-based management of community colonies through high-volume desexing and health monitoring protocols to achieve stable population decline.
Advocacy & Public Disclosure
Our organisational positions remain transparent and publicly accessible. We commit to a biennial review of all position statements to incorporate the latest veterinary science and community impact data into our operational guidelines.
Transforming Policy into Progress
Our position statements serve as the strategic foundation for all our work. By grounding our advocacy in evidence-based research and community insights, we push for policies that protect cats, empower caregivers, and ensure a sustainable future for cats across NSW.