ANIMAL activists have claimed a victory after Melton Shire Council voted to introduce mandatory de-sexing of cats last week.

Councillors at last Monday’s ordinary meeting agreed to draft a new Local Law which would require owners to de-sex and microchip all domestic cats as a condition of registration.

The law would not affect people who register their cat prior to the new regulations but would impose restrictions on newly registered animals.

Members of the Caroline Springs Animal Welfare Association welcomed the decision, which came after months of campaigning.

Local activist Nathan Miles said he was overjoyed by the news and believed it would make a significant difference to Melton’s cat problem, which has been spiralling out of control in recent months.

“It’s what we’ve been pushing for for a long time,” Mr Miles said.

“I’m really happy that the council has decided to take proactive measures to address the problem because it was getting ridiculous.”

Mr Miles said Melton’s euthanasia rate of more than 92 per cent was unacceptable and said it was “about time” the council acted. “They had to do something because it’s getting out of control,” he said.

The decision was handed down only weeks before the CSAWA planned to present a petition with more than 200 signatures to the council, urging it to consider mandatory de-sexing.

“We’re rapt that the council has acted on this without us even having to hand the petition in,” said group president Rana Hales.

The proposed changes will make Melton one of only two western suburbs councils to enforce mandatory de-sexing of cats.

Melton mayor Justin Mammarella said the new law would encourage pet owners to practise responsible pet ownership.

“There are many responsible pet owners in our community, however, there is a small number who are not,” Cr Mammarella said.