The City is inviting the whole community to provide feedback and suggestions on domestic animal-related topics in the development of the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2022 – 2025.

With approximately 45 000 registered cats and dogs Greater Geelong has one of the largest animal populations of any Victorian municipality.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 every Victorian local government must prepare a plan outlining how it will manage dogs and cats within its municipal boundaries.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said it was important we heard from all residents in the development of the plan – even those without pets.

For many residents dogs and cats play important roles in their lives often serving as extended members of the family.

It’s important we hear from residents those with and without pets to ensure we are meeting community needs and expectations in the management of domestic animals.

I encourage all residents to think of the domestic animal-related topics and issues they’d like us to address and to submit it via the online engagement.

The DAMP identifies how Council will:

• help pets pet owners and the general community to live together;
• protect the environment and local wildlife from the negative impacts of dogs and cats;
• balance the needs of those who own pets with those who do not;
• address animal management welfare and legal issues;
• promote responsible pet ownership; and
• improve the experience of animal ownership.

Community feedback submitted to previous plans has strengthened the City’s focus on developing additional dog parks in the region resulted in new branding to improve visibility and identification of the City’s animal management team and informed the introduction of a cat curfew in 2009.

Feedback can be submitted up until 4pm Friday 23 April at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/DAMP-2022-2025.