The Circumstances
The Companion Animals Act (1995) and the Companion Animals Regulation (2018) provide the legislative framework for managing pet cats and dogs in NSW.
The NSW Government undertook a review of the Companion Animals Act (1998) which is administered by the Office of Local Government (the OLG) on behalf of the Minister for Local Government,
SpencerMaurice was commissioned to assist the review, by carrying out an independent analysis of the public submissions, and facilitate targeted community focus groups.
Our Approach
- Desktop review
- Analysis of stakeholder submissions
- A program of large scale workshops
Outcomes Delivered
- Desktop review of prior reviews, inquiries, and recommendations
- Analysis of more than 3500 lengthy public submissions, to develop key themes and issues, and potential legislative, program, and policy responses.
- Development of stakeholder focus group workshops to further explore themes and issues identified.
- Facilitation of three half-day workshops. Two workshops in-person with approximately 50 participants each, and one half-day online workshop with 70 participants.
- Further analysis and co-design development of a refined set of problem statements and potential legislative, program adjustments, and policy responses.
- Development of a detailed 34 page report