Resolution reached on dog, cat services for Launceston

Published on 07 December 2018

The future of dog and cat management for the City of Launceston has been secured following the appointment of Just Cats as the preferred supplier of regional cat shelter services.

City of Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said he was delighted to announce that the Longford-based shelter service will take over regional cat management for Northern Tasmania following an expression of interest process.

Today's announcement follows the appointment of Tasmania’s largest dog welfare organisation, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania, as the preferred supplier of the Council's dog pound services and regional dog shelter services.

Just Cats will operate a satellite facility at the Council's Cavalry Road site on an interim basis, but will be homing cats at its Longford facility.

Mayor van Zetten said that following the recent KPMG report commissioned by the Council, it was envisaged that a stand-alone cat management facility will be established to service the entire region.

"That's something we're all certainly working towards - and the next step in that process will be identifying a suitable location," Mayor van Zetten said.

"Importantly, now that we have an agreement in place with Just Cats for the provision of cat management facilities in North Tasmania, we have a solution for both dogs and cats following the recent announcement that Dogs Homes of Tasmania will take over running the Council's dog pound and shelter services from January 30," Mayor van Zetten said.

"From a cat management perspective, we're delighted to be working with Just Cats for cat shelter services across the Northern region and I'm looking forward to collaborating with the other Northern councils for the provision of those all-important services.

"It is important to note that Just Cats will not be contracted to provide the cat service for City of Launceston alone, but rather will provide a cat shelter service for the entire Northern Tasmanian community."

Just Cats owner Rachel Beech said she was excited by the opportunity and looked forward to expanding Just Cats to assist the wider community.

"In saying that, we will require a lot of support from the public to help with the transition financially now and in the future," Ms Beech said.

All surrenders to Just Cats will remain by appointment only, and the centre can be contacted by phoning 6388 9202 for assistance.

Meanwhile, the City of Launceston will assume management of dog pound services for an interim period over Christmas.