Inaugural rally to raise respect, recognition of the critical needs for community cats, and the burden on rescuers and carers.
Over 150 attendees. This is our first brief video during the event.
A video of the highlights of the rally is below on this page.
- Brief Video
- Purpose & Objectives of the Rally
- Rally Video Highlights
- Messages of Support
- Media Releases
Brief Video
Purpose & Objectives of the Rally
COLLABORATIVE RALLY FOR COMMUNITY CATS
PURPOSE: to raise recognition, respect and support for community cats and their rescuers / carers, and appreciation of all those who have adopted a once abandoned kitty.
We seek One Welfare solutions for better outcomes for community cats, & for rescuers and carers to be integrated with NSW state and local government cat management strategies, plans, delivery of desexing programs, research, and critical education programs with communities.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Establish a respectful working relationship between the NSW state and local governments with grassroots community cat rescuers/carers, to leverage their valuable lived experiences, resources and community contacts with formulating cat management strategies and plans, at state and local levels.
FACT: Across NSW hundreds of rescuers/ carers collectively assist thousands of community cats, delivering care, desexing & rehoming for the once abandoned cats, with contacts with the public in local areas to deliver education & welfare improvements for cats.
2. Encourage and promote funding and support for the highest priority One Welfare initiatives to effectively manage cat populations where rescuers/ carers are already involved. Critical proven successful initiatives include to promote cat containment (don’t make it mandatory), community cat programs, high intensity desexing programs, vaccinations, resolving registration processes, assistance for rehoming programs, community engagement, educagtion & cultural change programs.
FACT: Refer proven examples from RSPCA NSW stray cats programs, APWF Community Cat Programs, CPS NSW DIVA & desexing programs, Banyule Council research where 4 times the financial savings were achieved for the costs with funded desexing, and Rosewood Council NSW research.
3. Rescuer/ carers to assist and be integrated with new localised programs and research for managing cat populations, to enrich the knowledge base and clarify financial justifications with local evidence. This includes local research on cat impacts including on wildlife and council resources. Further to actively decrease the significant risks of cruelty associated with demonising roaming and abandoned cats, and those who care for them.
FACT: The lived experiences of rescuers/ carers will provide insights to local communities and are able to effectively work with council Animal Management Officers, vets and local communities, providing an “army” of volunteers and experiences. Refer APWF, AIAM, RSPCA.
ALIGNED WITH APWF, RSPCA Aust, RSPCA NSW, CPS NSW, AIAM: We strongly support the research, findings & recommendations from domestic cat experts including Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, RSPCA Australia and NSW, Cat Protection Society NSW, Australian Institute of Animal Management & more.
COLLABORATION: This event is a collaboration involving a number of rescuers & carers as individuals and groups with valid lived experiences, including:
LOVE RESCUE COLLABORATE. PROTECT ALL CATS, CATMINT COTTAGE, STREET CAT RESCUE, WESTIE CAT SUPPORT SERVICES, NO KILL COLLECTIVE
Rally Video Highlights
Messages of Support
Emma Hurst Animal Justice Party
Audio file
Message
Jacquie Rand Australian Pet Welfare Foundation
Post Rally Video
Audio file
Message
Kristina Vesk Cat Protection Society NSW
Message
Read by Robert Richardson 23 August 2025
Gemma Ma RSPCA NSW
Message
Read by Claudia Jones RSPCA NSW 23 August 2025
Margaret Daziel Catmint Cottage Rescue & Street Cat Rescue
Save Community Cats 