How one cat changed containment laws in Canberra
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In 2021, a fluffy feline made news headlines around Canberra as she quickly became the face of cat containment laws.
Owned by local Emerson Riley, Mimi was putting down her paw and petitioning to change the unintended consequence of the Domestic Animals Act 2000: that cats could not be walked on a lead and harness in containment areas.
Now, over a year later, Emerson and Mimi have successfully inspired change.
As the ACT Government prepares to introduce new laws that will allow felines to be walked in containment zones, Emerson says she is very excited to have spearheaded a change that gives Mimi the enriched life she deserves while protecting native wildlife.
“It’s just amazing that one cat and their human can affect public policy,” she says.
“I had a lot of support and help from the community, but I just think there’s this common belief that one person can’t change anything but when you get people to rally with you and to support you, these great things can happen.”
As a firm believer in the benefits of using a cat harness, when Emerson adopted Mimi from the RSPCA in 2016 she started using leads when she realised her indoor cat wanted to explore the outside world.
But when Emerson moved into a new apartment in a cat containment area, she was informed that walking Mimi around her suburb using a harness could incur a $1,600 fine—even though she had called Domestic Animal Services to confirm if using a harness falls under ‘containment’.
“They said, ‘Absolutely you can walk her on a lead or on a harness, she is contained, that’s fine’,” says Emerson.
“I went ahead and purchased the apartment…I would never have bought there if I had known, because she loves being outside so much.”
Due to the wording of the Domestic Animals Act 2000, using a lead and harness in containment areas was prohibited and with no outside area she could cat proof for Mimi, Emerson decided to call for change.
Launching the Let Mimi Walk campaign to express her frustration with the laws and her concern that Mimi was no longer living a full life, her interviews with Canberra Weekly, The Canberra Times and HIT104.7 saw the petition achieve 2000 signatures in two months.
However, the most surreal moment for Emerson was when ACT Minister for City Services Chris Steel came into her home to meet Mimi in person.
“It was a little surreal that a government official and Minister for ACT wanted to meet with me, just an ordinary person,” says Emerson.
“The minister was really understanding and he took it on board that people walking their cats are just trying to be responsible, and that it didn’t make sense that legislation would be against such responsible owners.”
Coming into effect from July 1 2022, Emerson says she is very excited about the new legislation because it not only benefits Mimi but also protects wildlife and other feline fanatics.
“The other great thing about the legislation is that it supports cat owners,” says Emerson.
“I have one person who lives near me who just refuses to put her dog on a leash and they jump on us. Then they blame us for them not being able to control their own dogs. Hopefully, this legislation will provide some protection and support for catwalkers.”
Emerson says she never expected her petition to capture the attention of Canberra, but is thrilled her actions will keep her fluffy family member happy, content and stimulated.
“I thought ‘I’ll give it a go, I probably won’t get anywhere but at least I’ve done what I could for my little gorgeous cat’.” says Emerson.
“If [cats] can walk on a leash, they’re protected and the wildlife is protected…that’s the best of both worlds.”
Follow Mimi on Instagram @mimi.the.monstar
