Welcome

Towards the end of 2008, the Dog and Cat Management Board sought broad public comment on Regulatory Impact Assessments on cat management and the options for mandatory microchipping.

At its meeting of 24 March 2009 the Board noted that the majority of respondents were representatives of councils and special interest groups. The submissions received were inconclusive in their response to the options and more information is required. The Board will undertake further research to determine whether the management of cats or the permanent identification of companion animals is a significant community concern before proposing any legislative amendments in this regard.

I advise all those who made submissions on the Regulatory Impact Assessments that their responses were received and considered but the Board will not be making any recommendations to the Minister on these issues until additional data becomes available.

Thank you to all those who made a submission

Dog and Cat Management Board

The Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia has been established under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (the Act) and is the only statutory authority of its kind in Australia.

The Act provides powers and functions for councils to manage day-to-day enforcement and administration of the legislative provisions for the management of dogs and cats in the community.

The Act defines the legal status of cats, provides for non-compulsory identification of cats to establish ownership and a head of power for councils to actively manage cats should they wish to do so.

On the 1st of October 2004 the Dog and Cat Management Act was amended. The composition of the Board as defined by the Act and by agreement between the Local Government Association and the Minister for Environment and Conservation, who jointly oversee the Board, that the administrative and executive support is provided by the Department for Environment and Heritage.