Councils across Victoria are rewriting their Domestic Animal Management Plans (DAMPs). These plans shape how animals are treated for the next four years. They decide whether councils invest in desexing or rely on killing, whether shelters prioritise adoption or euthanasia, and whether responsible pet ownership is rewarded or punished.

The Animal Justice Party believes animals deserve compassion, not cruelty. This is your chance to make a difference by having your say. Even a short contribution helps!

How to Find Your Council’s DAMP Consultation

Every council runs its own consultation, usually through its “Have Your Say” or “Community Consultation” webpage.

Step 1. Visit your council’s website. (to find which council your are in CLICK HERE)
Step 2. Use the search bar to look for “Domestic Animal Management Plan” or “DAMP”.
Step 3. Look for the consultation page, which will usually include a button or link saying “Provide Feedback”, “Have Your Say”, or “Share Your Thoughts”.
Step 4. If you cannot find it, call your council and ask where to lodge feedback for the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

If you live in Casey or Cardinia, the current consultations open now are here:

• City of Casey: Casey Consultation Portal (open till Fri 19 Sept)

• Cardinia Shire: Cardinia Consultation Portal (open till Tue 16 Sept)

• City of Maroondah: Maroondah Consultation Portal (open till Fri 10 Oct)

What to Say

We have created a Supporter Guide that explains the key areas where your feedback can make a difference. Each section explains why it matters, and gives you two suggested feedback options you can paraphrase.

Top priorities include:

• Expanding funding for affordable desexing programs

• Committing to no-kill shelter practices

• Shifting away from cruel cat trapping toward humane solutions

• Reducing fees and rewarding responsible pet ownership

• Increasing transparency in pound and shelter operations

Every submission counts. Councils need to hear loud and clear that the community wants killing replaced with compassion and smart investment in animal welfare.

1. Funding for Desexing Programs

Why it matters

Unwanted litters are the main reason animals end up in pounds. Cats in particular breed rapidly. One female cat and her offspring can produce thousands of kittens in just a few years. When these kittens are not desexed, it creates a cycle of overpopulation, abandonment, and ultimately euthanasia. Affordable desexing programs, especially for low-income households, are proven to reduce pound intakes and save lives. Councils that invest in desexing spend less on impounding and killing in the long run.

Suggested feedback :

• “I support increased council funding for affordable and accessible desexing programs, especially for households that are struggling financially. Making desexing more affordable will prevent unwanted litters, reduce the number of animals entering pounds, and ultimately save ratepayer money.”

• “Desexing should be fully subsidised because the alternative is mass killing of healthy animals. Council must end the cycle of breeding and slaughter by funding widespread desexing, not leaving it to charities or individuals to pick up the pieces.”

2. Transition to No-Kill Shelters

Why it matters

Many councils still kill hundreds of healthy or treatable animals each year. This happens not because of necessity but because of lack of resourcing for adoption programs, foster care, and partnerships with rescue groups. Councils can choose to commit to no-kill sheltering, meaning animals are only euthanised when they are too sick or dangerous to rehabilitate. Communities overwhelmingly support this approach. People want to see pets rehomed, not destroyed.

Suggested feedback :

• “I would like to see council adopt a no-kill policy for shelters, meaning healthy and treatable animals are not put down. With more resources for fostering, adoption, and working with local rescue groups, it is possible to significantly reduce euthanasia rates.”

• “Killing healthy and adoptable animals is unacceptable. Council must end contracts with facilities that continue this practice and commit to genuine no-kill operations where every animal’s life is valued.”

3. Humane Cat Management

Why it matters

Cats are often blamed for wildlife impacts and nuisance behaviours, leading councils to rely heavily on trapping and killing. But trapping does not solve overpopulation. New cats simply move into vacated areas, a phenomenon known as the “vacuum effect.” Humane solutions such as subsidised cat enclosures, community education, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs reduce roaming and breeding without relying on death as the default outcome. Many cat owners already contain their pets, and councils should support, not punish, responsible behaviour.

Suggested feedback :

• “I encourage council to shift away from relying on trapping and killing cats, and instead trial humane solutions like TNR for semi-owned cats. Subsidies or rebates for cat enclosures, along with education campaigns, will help more people contain their cats responsibly.”

• “Cat trapping is state-sanctioned cruelty. Council must stop killing cats and instead invest in TNR programs, education, and safe enclosures. Punitive enforcement only leads to more death and suffering. It is time to put welfare before convenience.”

4. Reduce Costs and Reward Responsible Ownership

Why it matters

Many pet owners struggle with registration costs and high pound fees. When fees are too high, some people simply do not register their pets, making it harder to return lost animals. Others cannot afford to reclaim pets from the pound, leading to abandonment or euthanasia. Councils can fix this by reducing fees for desexed or contained pets, offering concessions to low-income households, and rewarding responsible behaviour instead of punishing it.

Suggested feedback :

• “I support lower registration fees for desexed and responsibly contained animals, as well as concessions for people on low incomes. Making fees fairer will encourage more registrations, which helps council return lost pets more quickly and reduces the burden on pounds.”

• “Council should stop using high fees as a barrier to responsible ownership. Registration and pound fees are pricing animals out of safety and condemning many to death. Council must make registration cheap or free for desexed animals, and abolish pound fees that punish people for being poor.”

5. Transparency in Pounds and Shelters

Why it matters

The community has a right to know how many animals are reclaimed, adopted, fostered, or killed in council pounds. Without transparency, there is little accountability and no way to measure progress. Publishing live release rates and contracting only with high-welfare facilities ensures that councils cannot hide behind statistics. This transparency also builds public trust and encourages more people to adopt.

Suggested feedback :

• “I ask that council publish annual data on pound outcomes, including how many animals are reclaimed, adopted, fostered, or euthanised. This transparency will help the community understand what progress is being made and ensure council works with the best welfare providers.”

• “Killing continues behind closed doors. Council must commit to full transparency by publishing live release rates every year, and only partner with shelters and pounds that genuinely prioritise animal welfare over convenience killing.”

6. Humane Education and Community Outreach

Why it matters

Many problems with cats and dogs can be prevented through education. For example, some people feed stray cats without realising it contributes to overpopulation. Others allow their dogs to roam off-lead without understanding the risks. Culturally diverse communities may also have different practices or levels of awareness. Councils that invest in humane education, in schools, neighbourhoods, and multilingual formats, build more responsible and compassionate communities.

Suggested feedback :

• “I encourage council to expand humane education programs for schools and communities, and to provide information in multiple languages. Education should always come before fines, especially for vulnerable residents.”

• “Council spends far too much money on enforcement and not enough on education. Instead of punishing people and killing animals, council should run widespread education programs that teach compassion and responsibility. Humane education is how real change happens.”

7. Improve Dog Parks and Public Spaces

Why it matters

Well-designed dog parks and clear rules prevent conflict between dogs and people. Poorly maintained or overcrowded spaces lead to safety issues, dog fights, and frustrated residents. Communities have asked for better fencing, separate areas for small and large dogs, and more bins to reduce dog waste. Councils that invest in these improvements create safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable public spaces.

Suggested feedback :

• “I would like to see council improve dog parks with secure fencing, clear signage, separate areas for small and large breeds, and more bins for waste disposal. These improvements will make public spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”

• “Council continues to neglect public spaces, putting dogs and people at risk. It is unacceptable that poorly designed dog parks and lack of bins create hazards. Council must prioritise safe, clean, and properly maintained dog parks with clear rules and strong enforcement.”

8. Accountability and Annual Reporting

Why it matters

By law, councils must review their DAMP every year, but many communities never see results. Without clear public reporting, it is impossible to know whether promises are kept or if animals are still being killed in large numbers. Annual reporting and easy-to-read dashboards ensure transparency and allow the community to hold councils accountable.

Suggested feedback :

• “I ask that council commit to publishing easy-to-read annual reports that show registrations, desexing uptake, adoption rates, and euthanasia numbers. This will help the community track progress and build trust in the system.”

• “Council hides behind bureaucracy instead of accountability. We demand annual public reporting of pound statistics, registrations, and euthanasia rates in plain language. Without transparency, the system remains cruel and unaccountable.”

Comprehensive Feedback (ready-to-copy option)

If you do not have time to personalise your submission, you can paraphrase this response:

“I support a Domestic Animal Management Plan that prioritises animal welfare through investment in desexing programs, a transition to no-kill sheltering, and humane cat management practices such as TNR and subsidies for cat enclosures. Registration and pound fees should be fair and affordable, with rebates and concessions to encourage responsible pet ownership.

Council should increase transparency by publishing annual data on adoption and euthanasia, expand education programs in schools and communities, and improve public spaces for dogs with better design and maintenance. Finally, accountability is key. The community should be able to clearly see progress each year.

These changes will create a fairer, kinder, and more effective animal management system that protects both animals and the community.”