Animal welfare campaigner dobbed into council for having five rescue cats

A Queensland animal welfare campaigner has been threatened with fines for owning five rescue cats.

Lisa Roberts-Daintree received a compliance notice from Redland City Council after a neighbour reported her for exceeding Redland's two cat maximum rule.

Council documents obtained by 612 ABC show there were no other concerns about welfare, hygiene or containment following an inspection of the property.

However, the council told her via letter that owning more than two cats was a violation of its by-laws.

"While I recognise that this situation has arisen from compassionate action, Council must also ensure that Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2015 is applied consistently and fairly across the community," the letter said.

"The prescribed limits on the number of animals permitted on a property are in place to protect animal welfare, maintain community amenity and ensure fairness and equity for all residents."

Clock is ticking

The letter said if she did not comply by November 23, the council could issue a fine, enter her house and seize her cats.

Ms Roberts-Daintree is the spokesperson for Cats Assistance to Sterilise (CATS), a charity which desexes cats to control feral populations.

She said four of her cats had been rescued from a "traumatic" home, and they had medical and socialisation issues which made them difficult to rehome.

The Russell Island resident said it was therefore highly likely they would eventually be euthanised if they were impounded by the council.

She said she had only been trying to keep the animals off the street where they would breed and kill native wildlife.

Ms Roberts-Daintree said all five cats were now desexed.

The council said she could get a special permit to keep a third cat, but no more.

Ms Roberts-Daintree said she did not know how to choose which cats would get to stay, and which two would be surrendered.

"That's not fair to the cats," Ms Roberts-Daintree said.

"How do you choose which of your children to save?"

Her partner, Juergen Holscher, said he had sent dozens of letters to local, state and federal politicians pleading with them for help.

The traffic controller said he had installed cat netting around the entire house and backyard to make sure the cats did not leave the property.

Mr Holscher said he felt the council was being rigid and uncompromising in enforcing the rules, even though the cats were well looked after and not harming anyone else.

He said he felt as though they were effectively being asked to kill the cats in order to protect their welfare.

"They've got no compassion, no sympathy, no critical thinking skills," Mr Holscher said.

"I'm a traffic controller and fair dinkum, I think I'm brighter than these people."

A Redland City Council spokesperson said the matter was ongoing.

"Redland City Council is unable to comment on an active investigation," the spokesperson said.

"Under Council's Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2015, residents can keep up to two cats over the age of three months without an approval, and may apply for an approval to keep three cats."