NEWS DESK
Facing up to climate change
RICKI Lee Bryant says there are no excuses for dumping cats. Picture: Supplied
Dumping a problem for cats and wildlife EYEWITNESS accounts of cats and kittens being dumped on the Mornington Peninsula have alarmed animal welfare bodies and environmental advocates, who say cats living wild wreak havoc on nature. There are also fears for the safety and welfare of the dumped cats, thought to be released pets, which would most likely struggle to survive in a strange environment. There have been at least three recent sightings of people dumping cats on the peninsula, including a black car seen releasing two caged cats in bush in Wooralla Drive, Mount Eliza. Two
other cases involved a black car seen dumping up for four cats near Crib Point, one of which was immediately hit and killed by a car as it frantically ran across the road, and two cats dumped near Hastings. Mornington Moggie Rescue volunteer Ricki Lee Bryant, of Tyabb, said cat dumping was abhorrent and cruel, with domesticated cats having few skills to survive in an unfamiliar place without food, and being vulnerable to predators and traffic. She is urging people who can no longer care for their cats to seek out animal welfare groups or rescues
groups, which will take unwanted cats without judgement. “There is no excuse for dumping a cat, it cause enormous environmental damage and is unbelievably cruel to the animal,” Bryant said. Mornington Moggie Rescue is just one of several groups on the peninsula that will take in unwanted or stray animals. Others are RSPCA Peninsula: rspca-peninsula; Peninsula Cat Rescue: peninsulacatrescue.com.au; Mornington Peninsula Shire Council pound: mornpen.vic.gov.au; Mornington Moggie rescue: morningtonmoggierescue@gmail.com Liz Bell
COMMUNITY group Peninsula Voice is holding a public meeting to discuss the detrimental effects and ways of combating climate change. “Worldwide, there is significant concern and confusion about climate change. On the Mornington Peninsula, we’re seeing changes in our climate and our natural environment impacting our health and wellbeing,” Peninsula Voice convenor Peter Orton said. “Coastal erosion is really just the tip of the iceberg. We’re naturally worried about how the peninsula is being impacted, and we also want action before it’s too late.” Orton said temperatures in Victoria had risen 1.2 degrees Celsius since 1910, cool season rainfall had declined while the number of days with dangerous weather conditions for bushfires had increased. Longer fire seasons, rising sea levels and more extreme rain events were predicted over the coming decade across Australia. “The peninsula has seen an increased frequency and intensity of storms with the resultant damage to property, businesses and the environment, especially to our coastline,” Orton said. “In addition to environmental, social and economic impacts, our health is also impacted directly by climate change due to more intense and frequent extreme events including heatwaves, floods, drought and bushfires. It also affects health indirectly,
such as through deteriorating air quality, changes in the spread of infectious diseases, risks to food safety and drinking and recreational water quality, and mental ill health.” Orton said many groups within the community were “highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, so protecting them is an important priority”. “Much is already being done to address climate change but there is more we must do.” Orton said the public meeting would hear from experts on the environment, our economy and health, and from “some of the many groups and individuals taking action and making a real difference locally”. One of the groups at the meeting included Repower, which helped households and businesses “to get off fossil fuels and repower with 100 per cent renewable energy”. Another speaker would Sam Lundberg, who works with schools to become emissions neutral. “There are some fantastic local initiatives we’ll be showcasing at this event as we want our community to feel both informed and empowered,” Orton said. The Peninsula Voice Thursday 29 February meeting to discuss climate change starts at 6.30pm at the Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington. Details: peninsulavoice.com.au
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Mornington News
6 February 2024
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