Wyndham council impounded 78 cats last month, many of which were not desexed.
The council’s environment and sustainability portfolio holder Cr Heather Marcus said 61 of the impounded felines were male and 17 were female.
She said that just five of the female cats and 41 of the males were desexed.
Cr Marcus said that in September, the council was also contacted about 10 cats that had been hit by cars.
“There has also been a significant increase in calls to the pound from owners frantically trying to find their furry friends who have gone missing,” she said.
Cr Marcus said all residents should register their cats and dogs by the time they were aged three months.
Cats registered in Wyndham must be desexed, although there are exemptions, such as if a pet is more than 10 years old.
Wyndham also has a cat curfew requiring felines to be confined to their owner’s property between 10pm-6am.
Cr Marcus said studies revealed there was no detrimental health effect on cats who were confined, as long as they get regular exercise and attention.
“If you train them well, like I do with mine, you can put them on a lead and take them for a walk.”
See wyndham.vic.gov.au for tips on stray cats.
