GAYLE TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (14:14): Animal welfare is a priority of the Andrews Labor government. That is why over the last month we have delivered Victoria’s first ever pet census to help shape the future of animal welfare and ensure pet owners have the support and services they need. The pet census, which closed over the weekend, asked Victorians a variety of questions to gather important information on pet ownership and the attitudes and experiences of owners and Victorians without pets too. I am very grateful to the more than 30,000 Victorians that have completed the census. This was an overwhelming response that will provide the government with a very comprehensive snapshot of our companion animals.
The census data will help us improve our services and provide better quality support to pets, pet owners and community organisations. Current available data is often focused on cats and dogs or other very specific animal groups or welfare issues. The census will help close this knowledge and data gap, giving us a zoomed-out view of Victoria’s pets. Early results show Victorians love their dogs and cats but also have a wide array of other interesting animals, including turtles, lizards, snakes and insects.
The data that has been gathered will help shape the next generation of pet and animal welfare reforms and builds on the significant investment of our government that has already been made in supporting animal welfare and community organisations.