Advocate for change Draft
Lend your voice to improve companion animal wellbeing and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs Australia-wide.
Why Your Voice Matters
Policies around cat and dog management, housing, and animal welfare directly impact whether pets stay with their families, how many animals enter shelters, and the wellbeing of communities.
Too often, decisions are made without a clear understanding of what is happening on the ground.
When you speak up, you help ensure policies reflect what actually works-not just what sounds good on paper.
What We're Advocating For
We support practical, evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for animals, people and communities.
Access to free and low-cost desexing programs
Support for Community Cat Programs
Policies that help people keep and care for their pets
A shift toward assistive and supportive approaches
Transparent, evidence-based decision making
Our position statements, submissions and publications are full of information on why we do what we do, and what needs to change so that pets can live the full and happy lives they deserve.
Why Change Is Needed
Many current approaches don’t address the real issue. Most free-roaming cats are unowned or semi-owned, meaning they are not impacted by containment laws. Enforcement-focused policies often place pressure on people, without reducing the number of cats entering shelters.
Evidence shows that targeted, community-based solutions-like desexing and support-are far more effective.
Take Action - What To Say
Every conversation helps shift the narrative. You can use your voice online by:
Share our research
Help raise awareness in your community
Comment respectfully on relevant posts
We’ve designed a Advocacy Response Toolkit to correct misleading claims about cats, urban wildlife and cat management using evidence-based responses. Copy and paste into social media comments, direct messages, letters or email replies.
If you’re not sure where to start, keep it simple:
“We need practical, humane solutions that actually work in the real world-like targeted desexing and community support-not just enforcement.”
You can also:
Share why this matters to you
Focus on solutions, not blame
Ask for a clear action
Take Action - Email Or Meet Your Local MP
You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Start with what feels easiest. A short, personalised email can have real impact. Be sure to include:
Who you are and where you live
Why the issue matters to you
A clear request (e.g. support desexing programs)
Meeting your MP is one of the most effective ways to create change. You don’t need all the answers-just your perspective, a clear message, and a practical solution.
[BUTTON: Email your local, state and federal MPs - link to a list of websites]
[LINK: Use our email template]
Use this quick tool to generate a warm, respectful email asking your MP to support practical, humane pet welfare policy.
Save Lives Today
If you’re not able to advocate directly, you can still help drive change by donating today. Your support allows us to continue our research, advocacy, and community programs.
You don’t need to be an expert to create change. What matters is your voice, your experience, and your willingness to speak up.
Together, we can create practical, humane solutions that improve the wellbeing of pets, people, and their environments.
