Currently over 100,000 healthy and treatable cats and dogs are unnecessarily euthanased each year in Australian pounds and shelters. Most of these are stray cats from cities and towns. This is because how we currently manage them doesn’t reduce their numbers. During an innovative five year trial, we will assess humane methods for managing stray cats in cities and towns based on desexing.

The trial includes collecting data on resident's views on pet ownership, stray cats and other related information. The data collected will be published in an international journal. We require volunteers to assist with this data collection by cold-calling residents in the target area (Ipswich) and collecting survey information from them over the phone. Calling can be completed from home.

Training will be provided, along with a call script, the survey questions, calling list and an online portal link for recording answers. Surveys will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. We require volunteers to have a phone capable of outbound calls and a computer and reliable internet connection. No telephone/internet expenses will be covered so an unlimited calling plan is required.

The Community Cat Program is a 5-year project being run in conjunction with key university and animal charity partners, with the aim of decreasing the unnecessary euthanasia of healthy cats and kittens in shelters and pounds and the negative effect this has on the mental health of shelter staff.