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EXCLUSIVE: CAT owners in WA will be forced to sterilise and microchip their cats under new legislation. Premier Colin Barnett confirmed yesterday he had instructed Liberal MP Joe Francis, a life member of the RSPCA, to begin drafting new cat laws. Mr Barnett said the move followed a visit to the Shenton Park Cat Haven last year. Mr Francis said yesterday the forced sterilisation and microchipping of the animals would be key components of a Bill expected to be introduced into parliament before the end of the year. He could no longer tolerate a situation where thousands of domestic cats were euthanased each year, he said. Mr Francis said the mandatory de-sexing and micro-chipping of cats was necessary to cut the numbers of unwanted cats. ``What's happening now is genocide,'' Mr Francis said. ``It is the senseless slaughter of cats that could be prevented. ``Walk into the Cat Haven one day and walk into the room where they are being put down. ``You will walk out in tears after hearing the screams of those little kittens. ``Kittens should not be a disposable item. ``They shouldn't be put to sleep because they were an unwanted Christmas present.'' RSPCA spokesman Richard Barry yesterday applauded the move. ``We are over the moon with this,'' Mr Barry said. ``In WA there are about 10,000 cats and kittens euthanased each year. ``Ninety-five per cent of cats are de-sexed by responsible owners. ``It's those other 5 per cent of irresponsible owners who are the problem. Cats can reproduce every three to four months and can have up to four and eight kittens. ``This is great news for animal welfare and potentially for the rest of Australia, who will no doubt tune in to see how WA handles this complex issue.''