MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today welcomed the news that from this week any de-sexed cat or dog purchased from a local council pound or shelter would be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on the lifetime registration fee.
Mr Marshall said the change was an election commitment made by Local Government Minister Paul Toole to encourage the re-homing of companion animals.
Currently close to 30,000 cats and dogs that arrive at pounds in NSW are sadly euthanased every year.
“Pets make wonderful companions and I believe that we need to be doing everything we can to send the message to the community that a new pet is a lifetime responsibility,” Mr Marshall said.
“The advantages of having a pet are well known and I’m pleased the government is committed to encouraging responsible pet ownership by reducing the fees for abandoned animals in need of a home.”
Mr Marshall said that Armidale Dumaresq Council in particular had an outstanding animal shelter and re-homing program.
“Cutting the lifetime registration fees will hopefully encourage even more people to think about taking in and re-homing a companion animal from the shelter,” he said.
Likewise, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said he was hoping the move would see a rise in adoption rates across the state.
“Halving the cost of registrations for adopted animals will see a number of benefits. For one, it increases adoption incentives, which is always great news for animals in our shelters. Secondly, it makes reuniting lost animals with their families that much easier and it also promotes responsible pet ownership,” Mr Coleman said
Mr Marshall said the government funded discount was permanent and would encourage people to adopt cats or dogs from an eligible pound or shelter with the aim it will lead to a reduction in the rate of euthanasia of homeless animals.
For more information on new fees, please visit the Office of Local Government website www.olg.nsw.gov.au/content/registration-fees