Balona takes in and looks after cats at the QTCC shelter — based in her own home — but with 40 cats in her care, she’s at capacity.
While the government updated the Residential Tenancies Act in April, to allow landlords to charge residents a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent and ensure tenants are liable for all pet damage to property, Balona feels it’s so far made little difference here.
She argues having cats in homes "benefits everyone" and points to the mental health benefits they can provide.
She even has psychologists referring people to visit the cats in her care to help them.
"In a post-Covid world, you would think people would be doing all we can to improve mental health.
"Everyone was adopting pets to keep them company, and now when they have to move they can't take their animals with them and it is putting pressure on rescue centres."
Balona says working towards Predator Free 2050 would be more achievable by having cats in homes.
"We trap cats but have nowhere to put them all — the rescue fills up which means we can’t go out and do the desexing, which isn’t going to keep numbers under control.
"If you want to save the birds, let’s get these cats home where they are fed and looked after so aren’t having to hunt birds."
QTCC has a therapy room, filled with kittens, and provides a safe space for people to visit when they need it.
There’s a constant daily stream of visitors, many of whom want to take one home, "but their landlord won’t allow it".
Balona understands why landlords may be nervous about allowing renters to have pets, but suggests property managers could visit a potential renter’s current home before committing, or request pet references.
Meantime, QTCC has recently been given an annual $1000 council grant, for three years, to research how to ensure people are responsible cat owners.
Balona says it’d likely be very similar to dogs, with cats needing to be de-sexed, vaxxed and registered.
"If you don’t do that, you’re going to get a fine."
