2024-09-01
500 concession card holders will be able to desex their pets for free each year, as part of the ACT Greens’ animal welfare policy. The plan, announced today ahead of next month’s election, will also help cover the costs borne by volunteer wildlife carers.
“Pets are our dear companions. They can make a huge difference to our wellbeing when we’re doing it tough or living alone,” said ACT Greens MLA Laura Nuttall, who is recontesting her Tuggeranong seat of Brindabella.
“We don’t want people under financial stress to be forced into the heartbreaking decision to surrender their pets, which can happen particularly when pets haven’t been desexed and become pregnant.
“The cat and dog desexing vouchers we’re announcing today will support more people to be responsible pet owners, even in the midst of this cost of living crisis.
“The Greens are intent on improving care for animals and protecting domestic animals and wildlife from unnecessary suffering.
“The simple but important steps in our plan to better care for animals are all possible, if you vote for them.”
The ACT Greens will:
- Provide 500 free cat and dog desexing vouchers each year to help people on low incomes desex their pets
- Provide wildlife carers with $500 vouchers each year to help cover their costs
- Stop $8 million of public money being gifted to the horse racing industry each year
- Employ more domestic animal rangers to respond to domestic animal welfare issues
- Increase the powers of the RSPCA to investigate and intervene in cases of reported suspected animal cruelty and neglect
- Reduce the impact of car collisions, by funding wildlife overpasses and underpasses, and virtual fencing at collision hotspots
- Fully fund the injured wildlife hotline and access to wildlife veterinary services, and expand the wombat mange treatment program, so the community knows any injured animal they find can receive the best medical care possible
- Reduce unnecessary harm and suffering to wildlife by reducing the use of barbed wire fencing, starting with public land, and banning the sale of second-generation rodent poisons.
Adele Sinclair, ACT Greens candidate for the Belconnen electorate of Ginninderra, says we have a duty of care to minimise the physical and psychological suffering of animals resulting from human activity.
“The Greens have led the ACT to better protect and care for animals, with big wins like banning battery hen farming, banning greyhound racing, banning fruit tree netting that harms native wildlife, and securing the right of renters to keep a pet.
“Today the Greens have set out the next steps we must take to fulfil our duty of care to the extraordinary animals we share the Bush Capital with.
“We humans are interdependent with animals, and we should ensure the highest standards of care.”
More detail on today’s animal welfare announcement is available on the ACT Greens website.