All councils within South Australia have developed an Animal Management Plan for the next five years. In developing this plan, we saw this as an opportunity to engage the community and determine community views on a range of pet ownership issues.

Our Animal Management Plan focuses on issues surrounding dog, cat and poultry ownership. Issues relating to the keeping of other animals in the urban environment may be considered in future plans if deemed necessary.

To date, dog management has been the priority for most South Australian councils. It is anticipated that over the life of this plan, cat management will receive more attention and become a higher focus for this and other councils.

This plan contains the roles and responsibilities for the various parties involved in animal management (ie state government, local government and the community). The plan further provides a series of objectives and recommendations to achieve a higher level of responsible pet ownership in the community and provides a framework for animal management over the next five years.

In October 2008 the Australian Institute of Animal Management awarded the City of Onkaparinga the award of Animal Management Plan of the Year. In bestowing this award we were particularly commended for the clear, easy-to-read layout of the plan and the extensive community engagement strategy used to develop the plan.