West Wimmera Shire Council has prepared a draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) and is seeking community feedback. This plan sets the direction for how Council will manage domestic animals, with a focus on cats and dogs, over the next four years.
What is the Domestic Animal Management Plan?
The plan is a requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. It provides a framework for the planning, development, and evaluation of animal management services in the hire. The plan applies to all cats and dogs, including farm working dogs and therapy or assistance dogs.
The key objectives of the plan are to:
- Promote responsible pet ownership and community safety
- Support compliance with animal-related legislation
- Guide Council’s management of domestic animals across the shire
- Provide strategies for addressing issues such as nuisance, registration, and desexing
- Strengthen partnerships between Council, pet owners, and animal welfare organisations
- Plan for sustainable animal management that balances the needs of pet owners, the wider community, and the environment
The draft plan outlines actions and priorities to ensure that domestic animal management in West Wimmera is effective, fair, and responsive to community needs.
How you can be involved
Read the draft plan
You can view the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan below or at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Kaniva and Edenhope.
Read the draft plan here(PDF, 602KB)
Complete the survey
Community members are invited to provide feedback on the draft plan by completing the survey. Feedback received will help shape the final version of the plan.
Fill out the survey
The survey will close at 5pm on Thursday 23 October 2025.
Next steps
Council will consider the feedback received and make any necessary updates before adopting the final Domestic Animal Management Plan.
Your input is important in shaping the future of domestic animal management in West Wimmera Shire.