The Minister for Local Government, the Hon Don Page MP and the Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP, established a Companion Animals Taskforce to provide advice on key companion animal issues. The Taskforce is chaired by the Member for Charlestown, Mr Andrew Cornwell MP and contains representatives from key animal welfare and industry groups and councils.

The work of the Taskforce has culminated in the Ministers releasing the Companion Animals Taskforce Discussion Paper for public comment.

The discussion paper provides interested stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on a range of proposed measures identified by the Taskforce, which aim to:

• reduce the current rate of euthanasia for cats and dogs,
• refine the current regulatory framework around the breeding, sale and management of cats and dogs to improve welfare outcomes, and
• promote socially responsible pet ownership through community education.

The discussion paper is available for download from the Division of Local Government website (www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/CATaskforce).

Submissions will be accepted for a period of 8 weeks, until 1 July 2012.

After taking into account feedback on the discussion paper, the Taskforce will prepare a report providing recommendations for the consideration of the Ministers later in 2012.

The Taskforce has also identified the issue of dangerous and restricted dog management as one requiring further consideration. However, due to its complexity, the Taskforce has determined that this is best dealt with separately. Further information about this additional work will be available later in 2012.