In 2009 the Cat Haven in WA impounded 7697 cats.
At the end of 2013 (despite having one of the lowest impound rates in Australia) WA passed the most draconian cat laws in the country, requiring all cats be desexed, microchipped and to wear a collar by law. Millions were spent on new cat impounding facilities and resources.
In 2018 the Cat Haven impounded 8919 cats.
And now councils across the state are obligated by law to do their own impoundment of non-compliant (stray, semi-owned and unowned) cats, with some killing over 80%. (ref)
“(WA’s Cat Haven spokeswoman, Lauren Nesbitt) said the shelter's overall numbers for 2018 saw almost 500 more cats and kittens come in than the previous year 2017."
Although the (sterilisation law) has been in force since 2013 sadly we are still continuing to receive more cats every year," she said.” (ref)
It’s almost as though giving councils expanded powers to impound cats, and passing laws championed by those in the cat impoundment business, doesn’t lead to less cats in pounds. 🤔
More on how the laws were rolled out here: https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/1935807