Cat vaccine shortage impacts Council services

Hume City Council has made changes to its cat trapping services as the result of a cat vaccine shortage being experienced nationwide due to production issues. 

Effective immediately, and for the foreseeable future, Council will not be offering or performing cat trapping in Hume City. This is to reduce the number of cats needing to be taken to shelters, particularly Council’s shelter service operator, The Lost Dogs Home, who are currently experiencing critical supply shortages.  

At this time, the supply of essential cat vaccines in Australia is not expected to improve until February next year. Council will actively monitor the situation and resume its cat trapping services as soon as possible.  

Council is continuing to work closely with The Lost Dogs home to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds, and remains committed to supporting animal welfare. 

Residents who have requested a cat trap from Council are advised that this service has now ceased. Council will not be accepting new bookings for cat trapping at this time. 

Wherever possible, residents are encouraged to consider and explore alternative options before surrendering healthy cats. This may include speaking to your local veterinary practice regarding veterinary costs, seeking support from friends or family members, or contacting Second Chance Animal Rescue if you are struggling to meet the costs of pet food. 

In the event a cat needs to be surrendered, wherever possible, residents are encouraged to supply any available vaccination documentation for their cat when delivering it to a shelter so it can be processed quickly and to mitigate duplicate vaccination.  

Adopting a cat, keeping your cat indoors, desexing your cat, or making a donation to local animal rescue group are some ways residents may consider helping during this critical time. Hume City Council will provide updates to residents as the situation evolves. 

Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor Cr. Naim Kurt: 

“The vaccination shortage is a significant issue being experienced on a national scale.

"Hume City Council is doing its part to support our community based on advice from our shelter partners. 

“The health and wellbeing of cats in care is of utmost importance, as is ensuring the safety of all wildlife in our streets. 

“While we’ve been told the situation is temporary, there is currently no confirmation of when vaccines supply will increase and so we encourage the community to do their bit during this critical time by keeping cats in their homes, where they can, desexing and considering cat adoption to ease the pressure on the shelter system.”