Mobile cattery improves wellbeing and handling of impounded cats

Council’s ranger services team could not be happier with their new cattery for impounded cats.  

The eighteen stainless steel enclosures were installed in a mobile container behind council’s pound (animal management facility) in Batts Street in Emerald. It will replace the existing cattery at Kingower Road. 

Coordinator Ranger Services Brett Keys said safer handling and easier cleaning are just two benefits of the new cattery. 

‘The wellbeing of the cats, and all other animals in our care, is most important to us,’ Mr Keys said. 

‘This is the type of set up you would see at a vet; it is easy to clean for effective disease control and our team can move cats in and out without having to handle them. 

‘We can also open enclosures to allow a mother with a litter of kittens extra space, for example.’ 

Mr Keys said the cattery was a step towards a modern animal management facility, but for the time being, the cattery would be placed in a fully insulated, formerly refrigerated container fitted with air-conditioning. 

‘It will keep the cats cool and the darkness of the container helps to keep them calm and in privacy,’ Mr Keys said. 

With eighteen compartments, council has near doubled its holding capacity compared to ten at the old cattery.  

‘While it’s good to have this extra space if we need it, ultimately we hope we don’t,’ Mr Keys said. 

‘As a responsible pet owner, your goal should always be not to see your animal in this facility.’ 

A cat will be impounded and taken to the cattery when trapped, picked up by or surrendered to council’s ranger services team.  

If the cat is microchipped, the owner will be notified, and it will stay at the cattery for up to five days to be collected by the owner.   All associated fees must be paid upon collection. If the cat is not microchipped and the owner is identified, it must be microchipped at the owner’s expense before it can be returned.  If the owner cannot be identified, a cat will stay up to three days.   A cat that is suitable for rehoming will be offered to CQ Pet Rescue or for private adoption after these timeframes.  Under local law, cats must be microchipped.