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We sadly say goodbye to one of Australia's great animal advocates and activists, Christine Mary Pierson, who leaves behind a legacy of love and care for all sentient creatures. Best known for founding C.A.T.S. Incorporated (Cats Assistance to Sterilise) in 1989, Christine worked until her last breath to assist councils and the community in controlling the population ceiling of unowned cat numbers, achieving good outcomes for both cats and residents.
Beginning her journey with Animal Liberation SA, Christine brought unflagging passion and conviction to every cause, often pounding the table and insisting we were not doing enough for the animals. A fiery redhead with a voice that carried, she spoke out from protest sites on behalf of farm animals, laboratory animals, racehorses, animals in entertainment, native and introduced species, pets and unowned animals, and marine animals, and she stood firmly against the fur trade.
Through media engagement she sought to educate Australians about how our purchase choices can impact the welfare of the animals with whom we share the planet. She found so much to be done in closing gaps in animal protection that the work kept her busy for her entire lifetime.
Christine's most notable contribution, through C.A.T.S. Inc., effectively aided in reducing wildlife predation. She spoke often and publicly about the suffering of cats when set upon by people who do not appreciate them, their special nature, and their friendship with humans. For many years, she worked each and every night to humanely control colony sizes, partnering with councils, vets, and especially the community to bring Adelaide and the surrounding areas down to an acceptable level of unowned cats.
This system, known as "Desex and Return to Home," is the only system with tangible evidence of success in reducing shelter intake numbers and unowned neighbourhood cat numbers. In the first five years of the scheme, shelter numbers were halved. Wherever the scheme was applied, the results were, and continue to be evident.
Perhaps you are one of the many people who had their cat desexed at a low cost through C.A.T.S. Inc.. Christine's work goes on, and if you need us, we are a phone call away on the C.A.T.S. desexing number: +61 8 8331... .
Those of us who worked with Christine have been inspired and remember her with love. Although "Thank you" is not enough for your tireless efforts, self-sacrifice, leadership, example and friendship, we do thank you, Christine, from the bottom of our hearts.
"Thank you, Christine - for everything."
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