Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025
This consultation has now closed.
Following a community survey and stakeholder consultation earlier this year, Mitchell Shire Council has developed its draft Domestic Animal Management Plan for 2021-2025.
Every four years, Victorian Councils are required by the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to prepare and implement a Domestic Animal Management Plan.
The goal of the Domestic Animal Management Plan is to provide a clear outline of how we plan to manage dogs and cats, meet out legislative requirements and continue to educate pet owners of their responsibilities for the benefit of all the people and pets who call Mitchell Shire their home.
Before the draft plan is finalised, we would like input from the community to ensure that the plan reflects the community’s expectations in relation to improving dog and cat management across Mitchell Shire.
The draft plan outlines three key focus areas for Council across the coming four years:
- To increase the number of fenced, off-leash dog parks available to dog owners across the Shire
- To improve education and awareness of the cat curfew introduced in October 2019, and to increase its enforcement
- To further increase Mitchell Shire Pound’s rehoming rates for both cats and dogs.
Secondary focus areas identified in the plan include:
- Delivery of a variety of awareness and education campaigns designed to promote responsible pet ownership across the Shire with a focus on delivery methods that increase the reach and accessibility of the information for all residents
- Ongoing promotion of Mitchell Shire Council’s cat trap program
- To conduct a review of Councils’ Emergency Management procedures that relate to domestic animals during emergency events
- Campaigns to educate residents on the importance of registering their dogs and cats and ensuring their contact details are up to date
- Investigating the expansion of the current on-leash orders to additional areas in the Shire
Read the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025
Community drop-in sessions
In line with current restrictions, we've cancelled our community drop-in sessions planned for Wednesday 8 September and Tuesday 14 September.
We will still hold our online information sessions so community members can find out more about the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025:
- Online Information Session (Teams Meeting)
- 7-8pm, Thursday 26 August
- 7-8pm, Thursday 2 September
- 7-8pm, Tuesday 7 September
- 7-8pm, Monday 13 September
To join the virtual meetings email locallaws.administration@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au or complete the registration form below.
Have your say
To have your say, please read the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025 and then complete the survey below.
You can also send a written submission by email to mitchell@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au or mail to Mitchell Shire Council, Reply Paid 70358, 113 High Street, Broadford, Vic, 3658 (no stamp required)
Alternatively, visit one of our Customer and Library Service Centres to view a hard copy or submit a hard copy submission.
Before the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-202 is finalised, anyone has the right to make a submission. Submissions must be received by 9am on Monday 20 September 2021.
Survey closes 9am Monday 20 September.
